by Keith Idec
EDDIE Hearn talked about Teofimo Lopez as a possible opponent for Jack Catterall after Catterall’s convincing victory over two-time 140-pound champion Regis Prograis on Saturday night time in Manchester.
That’s the most important battle for the English southpaw within the 140-pound division and Catterall is the WBO’s second-ranked contender for Lopez’s junior welterweight crown. It’s extra probably, although, based mostly on promotional and community/streaming alignments, that Catterall may safe a shot on the winner of the upcoming bout between IBF junior welterweight champ Liam Paro and Richardson Hitchins in his subsequent battle.
Australia’s Paro (25-0, 15 KOs) is about to make his first defence of that IBF belt towards New York’s Hitchins (18-0, 7 KOs) on December 7 at Roberto Clemente Coliseum in San Juan, Puerto Rico.
“With reference to Teofimo Lopez, I’ve mentioned we’d like to spank him,” Hearn mentioned throughout Catterall’s post-fight press convention. “However he’s an excellent fighter and he’s a large star. And I doubt he would come to Manchester. Nevertheless it’d be some night time, wouldn’t it? Think about bringing Teofimo Lopez to the UK – it could be good. And, you understand, [Catterall-Prograis] was a WBO worldwide [title fight]. Jack is sitting at quantity two [in the WBO rankings].
“Hopefully, it’s gonna transfer him nearer to that primary place. And who is aware of what Teofimo’s gonna do? I see him probably shifting as much as 147. He’s acquired the authorized dispute with High Rank. Perhaps Jack fights the winner of [Arnold] Barboza towards [Jose] Ramirez for the vacant [WBO] title. However we do have two guys combating for the IBF title on December the 7th, in Liam Paro and Richardson Hitchins.”
Catterall (30-1, 13 KOs), who topped Prograis (29-3, 24 KOs) by unanimous determination of their 12-rounder, is rated third among the many IBF’s challengers for Paro’s championship. Hitchins, Paro’s obligatory challenger, is ranked first by the IBF, which has left its second spot vacant within the 140-pound division.
Whichever fighter leaves the ring with that IBF belt on December 7 could have leverage.
Hearn identified, nevertheless, that the cardboard Catterall headlined Saturday night time drew a crowd in extra of 8,000 to the brand-new Co-op Reside Area, which may accommodate greater than 20,000 for boxing. 5 months earlier, Catterall’s 12-round unanimous factors defeat of former undisputed 140-pound champ Josh Taylor of their rematch attracted an viewers of virtually 11,000 to First Direct Area in Leeds.
Hearn’s firm, Matchroom Boxing, promotes Catterall, Paro and Hitchins. He believes they might provide Paro or Hitchins sufficient cash to defend that IBF belt towards Catterall in England someday comparatively early in 2025, now that the Chorley native has established himself as a good ticket-seller.
“So, can we convey that world championship battle right here?,” Hearn mentioned. “Clearly, Liam Paro’s gonna say, ‘What about Australia?’ Which is one thing we’ll take a look at as properly. If Hitchins wins, he’s gonna say, ‘What about New York?’ Which is one thing we’d take a look at as properly. So, Jack’s in an ideal place.”
