{"id":847371,"date":"2026-08-05T20:22:11","date_gmt":"2026-08-05T20:22:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/847371\/"},"modified":"2026-08-05T20:22:11","modified_gmt":"2026-08-05T20:22:11","slug":"romero-lopez-fight-better-for-boxing-than-facing-catterall","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/847371\/","title":{"rendered":"Romero: Lopez fight better for boxing than facing Catterall"},"content":{"rendered":"

After avoiding Shakram Giyasov and then Jack Catterall, Romero (17-2, 13 KOs) has finally zeroed in on a fight against Teofimo Lopez Jr. (22-2, 13 KOs) on August 22<\/a> at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas to headline a DAZN and Prime Video Pay-Per-View event presented by Premier Boxing Champions.Catterall (33-2, 14 KOs) is currently in position to face the winner of Romero-Lopez by November 19, following the Brit’s victory over Giyasov<\/a> in May.<\/p>\n

Romero couldn’t care less about Catterall’s well-deserved shot, however, going as far as saying he wouldn\u2019t recognize the Lancashire native if he was standing in front of him. Romero will get a chance to familiarize himself with Catterall, who plans on being ringside in Las Vegas pounding the table for his shot at the crown.<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t know [what to say to Catterall]. That\u2019s not my problem,\u201d Romero told The Ring and other members of the media. “I am fighting Lopez, who beat both Josh Taylor and Arnold Barboza, the two dudes who beat Catterall.”<\/p>\n

“There is the [sanctioning body] process, and there are big fights. What\u2019s better for boxing? What will make the sport of boxing bigger, truthfully? I do not care about any of that stuff. I care about the sport of boxing. I am a servant to boxing.<\/p>\n

“Every fight I do, I make sure to give you guys the biggest fight I can possibly give. I put my life and health [on the line], and I don\u2019t want anything in return other than to serve boxing. I’m just happy to be back in the ring. I miss boxing so much, you have no idea.\u201d<\/p>\n

Romero hasn’t fought since May of last year, when he dropped Ryan Garcia and beat him by unanimous decision<\/a>. Romero roamed around over the last year negotiating a rematch with Garcia as well as fights against Manny Pacquiao, Devin Haney, and Conor Benn to no avail, all while shunning calls from Giyasov and Catterall, The Ring’s No. 3-ranked contender at 147 pounds.<\/p>\n

Before signing off, Romero fired a general warning shot toward the welterweight division ahead of his fight against Lopez.<\/p>\n

\u201cRemember this: It’s no fun when Rolly has the gun with the finger on the trigger and comes out blasting,\u201d Romero said. \u201cThe game stops being fun the second Rolly comes back out. Everyone is happy when Rolly doesn’t say a single word and goes quiet into hibernation, letting his kids argue. But once I get back in the picture and roast everybody, everyone starts getting quiet.\u201d<\/p>\n

Manouk Akopyan is The Ring\u2019s lead writer. Follow him on X<\/a> and Instagram<\/a>: @ManoukAkopyan.<\/p>\n