The Ring's Mike Coppinger reported earlier this week that Romero plans to return in July or August to defend his title, and the expectation is for a shake-off-the-rust-type opponent.

The development has left Catterall (33-2, 14 KOs) upset. 

"Having a run out for a world title defense is pathetic," Catterall said on social media.

"I will go to Las Vegas and fight him there. PBC can reach out to Eddie Hearn and manager Sam Jones, and we can make this fight in 10 seconds. He swerved Shakhram Giyasov for 18 months and now he's having a run out ... Pathetic! What are you waiting for? When you do have this ridiculous run out, don't be vacating [and ducking.]” 

"Rolly" Romero was ordered by the WBA to defend his title against Catterall within 180 days of Catterall's unanimous decision victory against Giyasov on May 23 in Egypt. 

Catterall soared to No. 3 in The Ring's rankings at 147 pounds following his points win over Giyasov, while Romero dropped out of the ratings due to inactivity.

Romero (17-2, 13 KOs) hasn't fought since scoring an upset unanimous decision win against Ryan Garcia in May 2025. Romero failed to give Giyasov his mandated title shot, opting to engage in negotiations with Devin Haney and Manny Pacquiao to no avail.

With Romero stuck on the sidelines, Giyasov and Catterall squared off instead, and the British southpaw scored another convincing win, adding to an impressive list already including victories against Josh Taylor, Regis Prograis, Ekow Essuman, Harlem Eubank and Jorge Linares.

"From my understanding, Shakhram was chasing Rolly for quite some time," Catterall said on “Inside The Ring” last week. "He didn't wanna fight him. We jumped at the chance to slip stream in, really, and get in that position to fight Rolly. But I made it quite clear to Sam Jones, to Eddie Hearn, that like I don't wanna be sitting, waiting about.

"That’s why I chose to remove myself from that mandatory position in the WBO, to kinda go down this route. But listen, Rolly, love to get it on next. Let’s do it. If not, vacate the title, do whatever you’ve got to do. But we just want to carry on fighting, stay busy and fight all these top guys and be involved in some good fights."

Manouk Akopyan is The Ring’s lead writer. Follow him on X and Instagram: @ManoukAkopyan.