What is next for Jack Catterall? That is the big question as despite fighting Jorge Linares, a former multi-division world champion, Linares is entering the bout on a three-fight skid. Linares is a comparable to Devin Haney, who fights Regis Prograis on pay-per-view, on December 9th, in San Francisco, CA, at the Chase Center, but for the bout that will take place on October 21st in the U.K., live on DAZN, it seems to come off as a ‘tune-up’ fight.
Catterall has fought twice since his February loss to Josh Taylor for the undisputed junior welterweight title. In May he returned against Darragh Foley, and now he returns five months later against Linares, who is 38-years-old, and riding a three-fight losing streak. Yet, boxing is always awkward, and the underlying truth as well is that Catterall looked so good against Taylor, that he has had trouble getting fights given his position in the sport.
In San Francisco, Hearn reflected on Catterall, who he promotes this Saturday.
“Jack should be undisputed champion, and I think everybody acknowledges that,” told Hearn to ProBox TV News. “But he is not!”
Hearn is reflecting upon the 2022 fight in which a lesser-known Catterall fought the recently crowned undisputed junior welterweight champion, Josh Taylor, and dropped him. The bout thought to be a mismatch turned into a fire-fight with a lot of observers favoring the underdog, Catterall. Yet, like boxing has a habit of doing - the underdog didn’t win, as Taylor won a split decision over Catterall. The fight was thought to be rematched, but delay after delay came, and then Taylor eventually left the rematch and fought Teofimo Lopez, who beat him earlier this year.
This has left Catterall sitting and waiting for an opportunity to prove what he feels is his truth. That, he is the best junior welterweight in the world.
“He is definitely looking at the winner of [Devin Haney versus Regis Progais],” said Hearn. “I also like the rematch with Josh Taylor, commercially that is a big fight, and [a lot of] bad blood there.”
Hearn was quick to remind that despite Catterall being a healthy favorite heading into this fight, he has to beat the former world champion, Jorge Linares - and he has to win in a certain type of manner. A close win or a boring win might not move the needle enough for Catterall, as he has been overlooked for a good period of time, but given that Liam Paro, Montana Love, Richardson Hitchins, Regis Prograis and possibly Devin Haney are all ‘in-house’ fights, along with the prospects of a rematch with Josh Taylor. The future seems to look bright for him.
“Firstly, he has to beat Linares, and do it in style,” said Hearn.
