Jack Catterall secured the vacant World Boxing Association (WBA) (Regular) Welterweight Championship on Saturday, May 23, 2026, defeating Shakhram Giyasov via unanimous decision in Giza, Egypt. The 32-year-old southpaw from the United Kingdom dropped his opponent in the first round and controlled the distance throughout the 12-round contest staged at the Pyramids of Giza.
The three ringside judges scored the bout 119-108, 118-109, and 116-111, all in favor of Jack Catterall. The victory handed Shakhram Giyasov the first defeat of his professional career. Jack Catterall, who moves to 33 wins, 2 losses, and 0 draws (14 KOs), claimed the title left vacant after Rolando “Rolly” Romero was elevated to WBA Super World Champion.
“I can’t put it into the words, I am the happiest man in the world,” Jack Catterall said following the announcement. The win follows a year-long transition for the fighter into the welterweight division, a move he felt fully prepared for after a camp focused on strength and gym work.
Jack Catterall utilizes sharp counters and movement
The contest began with an immediate statement as Jack Catterall landed a straight left hand in the first round to score a knockdown. While Shakhram Giyasov remained in the fight, he struggled to close the distance against Jack Catterall’s lateral movement and right jab. Jack Catterall consistently found openings for crisp left-hand counters, preventing his opponent from finding success on the inside.
Shakhram Giyasov entered the ring two inches taller than Jack Catterall, yet he found it difficult to impose his physical presence. As the bout progressed into the later rounds, Jack Catterall maintained his output, mixing hooks to the body with pinpoint straight shots during the ninth and tenth rounds. Shakhram Giyasov launched an all-out assault in the 12th round, but Jack Catterall neutralized the attack to secure the decision.
Matchroom Sport Chairman Eddie Hearn, who promotes Jack Catterall, praised the performance of both fighters. Eddie Hearn noted that they are two “avoided” competitors who “decided to roll the dice.” He specifically highlighted that Jack Catterall started fast and remained aggressive to dictate the pace of the championship bout.
Statistical comparison and undercard results
The disparity in professional experience was evident in the ring. Jack Catterall has boxed 260 total rounds, averaging 7.4 rounds per professional fight. While disciplined ring strategies are becoming a hallmark of modern title fights, Jack Catterall’s ability to manage the pace proved decisive. Before the loss, Shakhram Giyasov held a pre-fight record of 17 wins, 0 losses, and 0 draws with 10 knockouts, representing a 59% knockout ratio compared to Jack Catterall’s 44%.
The championship clash served as the co-main event on a card featuring Oleksandr Usyk vs. Rico Verhoeven. The event drew international attention to Egypt, showcasing multiple high-stakes matchups across different weight classes on the DAZN PPV broadcast.
Earlier in the evening, the undercard featured a heavyweight matchup between Frank Sanchez and Richard Torrez Jr. Additionally, Mizuki Hiruta defended the WBO Super Flyweight World Title against Mai Soliman, winning by unanimous decision with scores of 98-92, 98-92, and 99-91.
Future of the WBA welterweight division
The result reshapes the landscape of the 147-pound division. Shakhram Giyasov, who now holds a record of 17 wins, 1 loss, and 0 draws (10 KOs), will have to rebuild following his first professional setback. Jack Catterall noted before the fight that his team had studied footage of Shakhram Giyasov against six previous southpaw opponents to develop their strategy.
Jack Catterall’s victory places him at the forefront of the WBA’s welterweight plans. While other fighters in the division like Errol Spence Jr. have discussed potential retirement, Jack Catterall’s emergence as a champion provides fresh momentum for the weight class. Having spent 12 months preparing to be “strong at the weight,” the new titleholder appears ready for the challenges that come with his elevated status.
The WBA (Regular) title now belongs to the man known as “El Gato,” who successfully translated his previous success at junior-welterweight to the 147-pound limit. With Rolando Romero currently holding the “Super” version of the title, the division is set for potential consolidation or major defenses in the coming months.
