Lewis Crocker could secure another route to a world championship through Jack Catterall if Teofimo Lopez decides to give up his WBA welterweight belt instead of meeting his mandatory challenger.
According to The Irish News, Windsor Park is already booked for early 2027, with Crocker eyeing a shot at the WBA belt. First, he has business to settle against Owen Cooper on December 19 at Belfast’s SSE Arena.
While Catterall remains unconfirmed as an opponent, the prospect brings a fresh angle to the ongoing Lopez situation. If the WBA stands firm on the mandatory and Lopez vacates, Crocker stands to gain from the belt opening up.
Catterall could end up elevated from secondary champion, though that depends entirely on sanctioning body rulings. Today’s October 22 negotiation deadline does not mean Lopez loses the belt immediately; the order simply moves the fight toward a purse bid if the camps fail to cut a deal.
Facing Crocker in Belfast presents a completely different scenario for Catterall. He might walk into the ring as the full champion, yet he would be traveling into hostile territory instead of snatching the hardware directly from Lopez. A stadium night in Northern Ireland promises a strong payday, but getting handed a belt via paperwork rarely carries the same weight as taking it inside the ropes.
Crocker is determined to reclaim the title standing he surrendered to Liam Paro in June. He made that clear to The Irish News, stating that he knows he will become world champion again. He pointed out that his team holds major ambitions, even as he insists his eyes are strictly locked on Cooper.
Treating December as a simple tune-up will not erase the danger. With a massive outdoor venue reserved and a title shot hanging in the balance, Crocker carries serious baggage into this winter date, well before any contract gets inked. The Belfast date provides a clear target for his return, while the sanctioning body’s ruling on Lopez dictates whether Catterall brings the belt with him.