Devin Haney and Jack Catterall are in advanced negotiations for an October 3 fight for Haney’s WBO welterweight title. The potential match follows collapsed talks between Haney and Liam Paro, offering Catterall an immediate chance to claim a major belt.
The matchup moved closer to completion after Haney’s team failed to reach an agreement with Australian contender Liam Paro due to financial demands. With that fight off the table, attention turned toward Catterall, who recently established himself in the welterweight division. The British southpaw won the WBA Regular welterweight title on May 23 with a decision victory over Shakhram Giyasov at the Pyramids of Giza in Egypt. Catterall dropped Giyasov in the opening round before controlling the contest to secure wide scores of 119-108, 118-109, and 116-111.
That victory put Catterall directly in line for a mandated fight against primary WBA champion Rolly Romero.
The sanctioning body ordered Romero to defend his belt against Catterall within 180 days of the Giyasov win. Pursuing Haney on October 3 means Catterall would step off that mandated path before his title window expires. It creates an unusual situation at 147 pounds. Haney holds the WBO crown, Romero holds the primary WBA title, and Catterall possesses the secondary WBA belt. Consequently, a contest between Haney and Catterall would not count as a formal division unification, despite both men carrying championship belts into the ring.
Catterall has pursued a bout against Haney for several years, dating back to their time competing at light welterweight. Having moved up to 147 pounds and secured his first world title, the Lancashire fighter now has his best opportunity yet to land the matchup. The decision remains a calculated gamble. While Catterall already holds an explicit route to challenge Romero, facing Haney provides an immediate chance to add the WBO title to his collection against one of the division’s biggest draws. For Haney, securing Catterall provides a top-tier southpaw opponent following a major victory, allowing him to stay active on the autumn schedule.
