Jack Catterall is ready to pounce and fill in as a late replacement for The Ring's May 2 show in Times Square if there happens to be any late pullouts, his promoter Eddie Hearn has said.

The event, which The Ring are putting on in association with SNK Games, creators of the gaming series FATAL FURY: City of the Wolves, will be headlined by Ryan Garcia-Rolando Romero.

The three-fight card also features Devin Haney vs. Jose Ramirez in a welterweight contest and Teofimo Lopez's WBO/Ring 140-pound title defence against Arnold Barboza Jr.

Barboza Jr (32-0, 11 KOs) beat Catterall (30-2, 13 KOs) by split decision in a razor-close fight last month in Manchester, and was immediately thrusted into a world title opportunity against Lopez, leaving the Chorley man to rue his defeat on home turf.

Hearn has confirmed, however, that Catterall won't be back in a stay-busy contest next; he's only in the sport for the biggest fights possible.

That even means Catterall is in the gym and preparing to be called up as a late replacement for the Times Square show in a few weeks' time if the opportunity arises.

Hearn told The Ring: "Jack's ready for the big fights, he's staying ready for May 2, if there's a dropout, he's ready to jump in and if not, he'll be back at the end of the summer in Manchester."

Hearn also noted a Josh Taylor trilogy could be on the table, while George Kambosos Jr, who fights Jake Wyllie this weekend in Sydney, is another option.

The Matchroom chief added: "The biggest fights possible [is what Catterall wants], whether that's Josh Taylor 3, whether it's George Kambosos Jr, whether it's a shot at the world title or a catchweight fight at welterweight."

Regarding a planned sequel of last year's Matchroom vs Queensberry 5v5 card, something which Catterall could feature on against Taylor, Hearn also said: "Back end of the summer, the same kind of date, the plan for Catterall pre-Barboza Jr was to fight for the world championship.

"Now that's taken a backwards step, you look for the big fights. He'll be in a big fight next for sure."