We analyse the credentials and statistics of Jack Catterall and Jorge Linares as the two super-lightweights get set t lock horns in Liverpool in October. 

With the super-lightweight division going through a much-needed transformation Jack Catterall must remind everyone on October 21st just why he is still one of the best at 140lbs.

Fighting veteran Jorge Linares is a no-win situation for the Chorley southpaw in Liverpool! At 1/10 ‘El Gato’ is fully expected to beat the Venezuelan, but will receive little credit for doing so. 

A defeat to the 38-year-old would send his career two steps back after making a positive move in signing with Matchroom, and returning to winning ways against Darragh Foley. 

Both were a much-needed boost for Catterall who had been trying to shake off his controversial loss to Josh Taylor from February 2022.

With the super-lightweight division now consisting of not only Catterall but Regis Prograis, Devin Haney, Teofimo Lopez and Ryan Garcia, only a first-class performance will do from Catterall.

But is there anything Linares, the 11/2 outsider, can do to cause the upset? 

It's time to look at the 'Tale of the Tape'...
 

Jack Catterall v Jorge Linares
Tale of the Tape

Jack Catterall
In Profile

Jack Catterall is one of the best boxers in the world let alone the super-lightweight division, and one hopes that in 2024 he is given the opportunities to compete with the very best in his class.

The southpaw isn’t known for edge of the seat entertainment, but his skillset is one of an all-rounder which gives him a number of problems for opponents to solve. 

On February 26, 2022, his talents came together in the biggest night of his career against Josh Taylor. 

Sadly, for the Englishman, he left Glasgow not as the undisputed super-lightweight champion but instead on the wrong side of a decision that continues to haunt the sport.

Twenty months later you can type Jack Catterall into Google and the name of Josh Taylor, and their fight will show up on the first page. 

Until Catterall becomes a world champion or gets his revenge on the Scot nothing will change. 

Beating a past-his-best Jorge Linares will add a recognisable name to the win column and fighting twice in five months is exactly the activity Catterall needs, but in 2024 Eddie Hearn must deliver a significant step up in the quality of opponents.

Jorge Linares
In Profile

Once upon a time, Jorge Linares was a compelling fighter to watch - his reflexes, power, and questionable chin guaranteed thrills in the biggest of fights. 

Against Kevin Mitchell the South American survived a fifth-round knockdown and everything ‘The Hammer’ tried to nail him with. 

He may have broken Mitchell’s heart, but he won many in the process during his first fight in the UK. It was a legendary night at the O2 Arena but that was eight years ago.

Wins against Anthony Crolla and Luke Campbell make him no strange to fighting the best of Blighty, and his absorbing contest with Vasyl Lomachenko proved his credentials at the very top. 

These were halcyon days for the likeable Venezuelan. 

A solid losing effort against Devin Haney in May 2021 was expected, as was his will to continue in a sport that he clearly loves. 

But every dog has his day, and his recent defeats at the hands of Zaur Abdullaev and Zhora Hamazaryan have ben difficult to watch - Linares looked a fighter who has become a shadow of the man he once was.

He will undoubtedly one day be a boxing Hall of Famer, but for fans, sadly, we will be reminded of how far gone he is from his days of winning world titles across the globe.

All odds displayed within this article were correct at the time of writing and are subject to fluctuation.
 

Shaun Brown

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