“I want the winner of Rolly and Lopez, but rest assured I will fight anyone!!! I am mandatory for the winner,” Catterall posted on X.

Facing Davis does not offer the same value as challenging Romero or Lopez. Beating either man would attract considerable attention and give the WBA secondary champion increased bargaining power in pursuing Devin Haney or whoever prevails between Ryan Garcia and Conor Benn.

Another title defense against Davis would not carry the same reward. Beating him would do little to secure the larger bouts Catterall wants, while the training camp would consume valuable time. He would also need to recover physically afterward. During that absence, Romero or Lopez might move elsewhere and take away the chance he has earned.

Saturday night’s fight in Las Vegas gives Romero the chance to defend his WBA welterweight title against Lopez. Catterall is next in line if the sanctioning body enforces its order without permitting another optional defense. That makes the Davis matchup difficult to accept as anything beyond a proposal discussed by Matchroom and Sela. It does not mean Pugmire invented it. His article carefully described Catterall-Davis as proposed but unsigned and stated that BoxingScene had reviewed communications between the two companies.

Appearing on the Fury-Joshua card would bring increased exposure and likely a significant payday. By declaring that he would fight anyone, Catterall also left himself some flexibility. Taking the Davis bout, however, risks surrendering the opening he has spent years pursuing.

Having never competed at welterweight, Keyshawn recently withdrew from his WBO title opportunity against Haney. Moving directly into a WBA title bout would give him another chance to become a champion without first establishing himself in the division.

The reaction makes Catterall’s preference clear. He wants Romero or Lopez next rather than taking an unnecessary defense against Davis.