Giyasov has long been the No. 1 contender for Romero’s WBA welterweight title, though a bout between the two hasn’t come to fruition. As a result, Giyasov will instead face Jack Catterall for a vacant WBA welterweight title on Saturday as part of the “Glory in Giza” card in Egypt, which is headlined by Oleksandr Usyk versus Rico Verhoeven on DAZN Pay-Per-View ($59.99 in the U.S.; £24.99 in the UK) and as part of the DAZN Ultimate plan ($49.99 in the U.S.; £24.99 in the UK).

“He’s scared of me,” Giyasov said at the final press conference Thursday. “He’s run [from me.]”

Romero (17-2, 13 KOs) was elevated to WBA super champion on Thursday. The WBA has sanctioned Giyasov versus Catterall for the vacant regular title and ordered Romero, 30, to face the winner within 180 days of Saturday.

Romero won the regular title last a year ago on The Ring’s card in Times Square, where he upset Ryan Garcia by unanimous decision. The North Las Vegas, Nevada native was elevated to full titlist later in the year after Jaron “Boots” Ennis vacated his championship and moved up to junior middleweight.

“I have more motivation,“ Giyasov said. “I’ve waited a long time. I’ve waited eight years for this day, this fight [and] this belt. I’m ready.”

Giyasov (17-0, 10 KOs) will fight for the first time since April 2025, when he beat Franco Ocampo by fourth-round knockout with a body shot in Atlantic City, New Jersey. That knockout victory was Giyasov’s first since 2021.

The 32-year-old contender from Bukhara, Uzbekistan, is The Ring’s No. 7-ranked welterweight. England’s Catterall (32-2, 14 KOs) is The Ring’s No. 10 welterweight contender. He is also ranked No. 1 by the WBO and No. 6 by the WBA.

Catterall, 32, has won two straight fights since moving up to welterweight. He is coming off an 11th-round stoppage of Ekow Essuman on November 15 in London.

“He’s a good fighter,” Giyasov said of Catterall. “He’s a good boxer. He’s a good man. I respect him, but I’m also ready for a long time wanting this fight all my life. I’m 100 percent ready.”