Catterall and promoter Hearn insist Lopez must fight Chorley boxer next

Jack Catterall is refusing to step aside in his bid to fight for a top world title before the year is out, and promoter Eddie Hearn vowed to battle for the Chorley boxer to fulfil his dream.

It is now four months since Catterall's compelling victory over Shakhram Giyasov in Egypt, a unanimous points win which saw the Lancastrian crowned the WBA's 'regular' welterweight champion, with the promise that he would challenge for the body's 'super' world title within 180 days.

That period is due to end on November 19 and Catterall, now 33, is still waiting for confirmation of his 36th professional fight (he has won all but two).

When Teofimo Lopez took the WBA's supreme crown off Rolando Romero last month, he also inherited the order to fight Catterall next.

But when WBC champion Ryan Garcia defeated Britain's Conor Benn in Nevada last weekend, he immediately called for a unification fight with Lopez, who was ringside.

And although that all-American match-up would be more of a moneyspinner, Catterall is insistent it's his turn next.

The Lancastrian posted on X: "I don’t ask for favours, just what was agreed and what I deserve.

"No queue jumping, just what’s owed to me. I want my shot NEXT.

"Not going anywhere, not stepping aside @TeofimoLopez."

It's a standpoint echoed by Hearn, though the promoter admits he doesn't blame the Lopez team for pursuing the most lucrative fight.

Hearn told BoxingScene: “Keith (Lopez's manager Connolly) is doing what Keith should be doing, trying to get the biggest fight possible for Teofimo Lopez. What we can't do is just disregard a resolution and an order from the WBA.

“We have emails from the WBA saying Jack will fight the winner (of Romero v Lopez) next, that is it .... you have to play by the rules, and you have to do everything that's fair under the rules that effectively you have written.”