Jack Catterall Captures WBA ‘Regular’ Welterweight Title with Decision Win

Jack Catterall Captures WBA ‘Regular’ Welterweight Title with Decision Win Over Shakhram Giyasov Jack Catterall is finally a world champion. ‘El Gato’ scored a clinical decision victory over the previously unbeaten Shakhram Giyasov to claim the vacant WBA ‘regular’ welterweight strap at the Pyramids of Giza on May 23rd. The win puts the 32-year-old Chorley southpaw in the driver’s seat of the 147‑lb division. Fact Check: The WBA elevated Rolando Romero to ‘super’ champion status in the week of the fight, ensuring the Catterall‑Giyasov bout would be for a full world title. Giyasov, an Olympic silver medallist, had long been the No 1 contender. Catterall’s experience and technical discipline proved the difference; he controlled the pace and landed the cleaner shots throughout the 12 rounds. Photo Credit: Ring Magazine / Getty Images Who’s Next for Catterall? The path forward is clear but challenging. The WBA has already ruled that newly minted super champion Rolando Romero must face the winner of Saturday’s contest within 180 days. That means a clash between Catterall and the explosive, if inconsistent, Romero is the immediate priority. However, with the WBA’s fragmented title structure, Catterall could also angle for a unification bout with WBA ‘world’ champion Jaron “Boots” Ennis or even explore a move back down to 140 lbs for a long‑awaited rematch with Josh Taylor. For now, the Romero fight is the mandated next step and the one that promises to keep Catterall’s title reign moving forward.

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