Catterall soundly outboxed Shakhram Giyasov to win a unanimous decision and the WBA "regular" welterweight title on the undercard of “Glory in Giza” Saturday in Egypt. With the win, Catterall became the mandatory challenger for Romero, whom the WBA elevated to "super" champion earlier this week.

The WBA ordered Romero (17-2, 13 KOs) to face Catterall (33-2, 14 KOs) within 180 days. Hearn, who promotes Catterall, wants to make the fight much sooner.

“Why wait 180 days?” Hearn said in the post-fight interview. “We don’t need 180 days. 90 sounds better.”

Romero, The Ring's No. 5-ranked welterweight, hasn’t fought since beating Ryan Garcia by unanimous decision in May last year and was in talks with WBO beltholder Devin Haney before negotiations collapsed. He was elevated to full champion when former titleholder Jaron Ennis moved up to junior middleweight the following month.

Catterall, The Ring’s No. 10-ranked welterweight, seized control of the fight in the first round when he dropped Giyasov with a hard left hand. That set the tone, as the British southpaw peppered his Uzbek counterpart with jabs and left hands that bloodied his nose.

The previously unbeaten Giyasov (17-1, 10 KOs) entered the fight as the Ring’s No. 7-ranked welterweight contender.

“I could beat any of these champions at 147,” Catterall said. “I believe in myself.”

Catterall is 3-0 since moving up from junior welterweight to the 147-pound division last year.

“He deserves it,” Hearn said. “He’s ducked nobody. Every opponent we put in front of him, [co-manager] Sam [Jones] and Jack have said yes every time. No one wanted to fight Giyasov, especially Romero.”

“They avoided that fight for over a year. Jack stepped up, he becomes regular world champion tonight, and next up will be a shot at the super championship against Rolly Romero.”