Boxing

Boxing: All you need to know about Josh Taylor v Jack Catterall

bet365 News Team Published: Feb 23 2022 13:12

Boxing fans can look forward to seeing one of the sport's superstars in action this weekend as undisputed super-lightweight world champion Josh Taylor defends his belts against Jack Catterall in Glasgow on Saturday.

Both men will put their unbeaten records on the line in what is the latest all-British domestic tear-up this year.

Fans have already witnessed Chris Eubank Jr beat Liam Williams, while Kell Brook looks to have ended Amir Khan's career after a clinical display in Manchester last weekend.

What is the significance of the bout?

Nine months after his historic win over American Jose Ramirez, Scotland's Taylor returns home to make the first defence of his undisputed title.

The 31-year-old has wasted no time in the professional ranks, conquering his division in less than 20 fights.

Taylor has already spoken of his desire to step up in weight to try and face the likes of Terence Crawford, Errol Spence Jr and Teofimo Lopez, but he must handle his WBO mandatory challenger first.

The pair were due to fight in October 2021, but a knee injury forced Taylor to withdraw from the bout and now Catterall will finally get the chance to claim all the belts against the odds.

What are their records?

Josh Taylor - 18 fights, 18 wins (13KOs)

Jack Catterall - 26 fights, 26 wins (13KOs)

What time is the fight?

The main card is due to start at 7pm GMT, with the ring walks scheduled for 10pm GMT.

Who is fighting on the undercard?

Robeisy Ramirez vs Eric Donovan
Nick Campbell vs Jay McFarlene
Cori Gibbs vs Carlos Perez
Ebonie Jones vs TBC
Scott Forrest vs TBC
Kurt Walker vs TBC
Paddy Donovan vs TBC
Kieran Molloy vs TBC
Mark McKeown vs TBC
Craig McIntyre vs TBC

The Odds

Taylor is heavily expected to have his hand raised at odds of 1/20, with Catterall a 9/1 outsider despite never tasting defeat in his career.

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Someone's 0 has got to go

There's something special about an undisputed fight, but to have two unbeaten men competing is even better.

Taylor oozes class, but more importantly he is as tough as teak and he has already conquered the sport inside 18 fights.

His decision to enter the World Boxing Super Series paid off big time, as it allowed him to showcase his skills on the world stage.

He beat Ryan Martin and then Ivan Baranchyk to reach the final, before overcoming Regis Prograis in the final to win the Muhammad Ali Trophy.

He became the undisputed light-welterweight champion after beating Ramirez in Las Vegas in May 2021, and the world appears to be Taylor's oyster at just 31.

The "Tartan Tornado" has outclassed some of his division's brightest stars, but Catterall believes he belongs at the top.

Catterall has stopped half of his opponents inside the scheduled distance, but none of his rivals have the same skillset as Taylor.

Tyrone McKenna and Ohara Davies are the two biggest names on Catterall's CV, and he could be in for a long night at the Hydro Arena in Glasgow.

At odds of 8/13, Taylor looks a solid price to win by KO, TKO or Disqualification, as he tries to start 2022 in style.

How long can Catterall last?

Lancastrian Catterall is not known for his trash talking, and he has left that to Taylor in the build-up.

Taylor has claimed King Kong would struggle to beat him this weekend and his record at the Hydro Arena is formidable.

He won his first title at the venue in 2019, while he won Commonwealth Games gold there in 2014 and Taylor's homecoming is bound to be special, but Catterall is quietly confident he can do the business.

With Taylor targeting megafights in the future, there's a slight chance he has overlooked his opponent.

Taylor has an old-school feel about him, and his aggressive nature is not a facade. He is in the sport to make history and win titles and even if he has to bide his time, the Scot should get Catterall out of the ring.

Catterall has shown he has the skills to become a world champion later in his career, and while he may drag Taylor into the second half of the fight, a stoppage win for Taylor inside rounds 7-12 looks the way to go at 6/4.