Jack Catterall has had just two professional fights in three years. The British southpaw last graced the ring in Glasgow over a year ago in a split-decision defeat to Josh Taylor for the undisputed super lightweight championship.
Catterall (26-1, 13 KOs) was credited by many as the rightful winner when he met Taylor last February. A rematch appeared oven-ready but both fighters went in opposite directions. Taylor will now collide with Teofimo Lopez on June 10, whereas Catterall embarks on a new journey with Eddie Hearn’s Matchroom, taking on Darragh Foley in Manchester in three weeks time.
ProBox TV News spoke exclusively to trainer Jamie Moore ahead of his fighter’s return on March 27.
“Thank God. I’m over the moon for the kid.” Moore said. “He’s such a nice lad, one of the most dedicated athletes I have ever come across in all my years of boxing. He’s had one fight in three years really, which was against the undisputed champion. Everyone knows and believes he won that fight and should have got the decision. But, he’s never been out of the gym during the worst period that anybody could have imagined.
“He was mandatory challenger for the WBO title. He was meant to fight [Maurice] Hooker, then he allowed him to fight [Jose] Ramirez for a unification. He was then adamant that he wasn’t going to wait around anymore, he wanted his shot. Then the teams sat down, he realised that if he would let Taylor fight Ramirez for undisputed, he would then get a shot at undisputed after. I do take my hat off to Josh Taylor because he stuck to his word and he could have moved up [in weight].”
Catterall has endured a frustrating period in his career, yet at the same time has announced himself as a world class fighter with his performance against Taylor.
“I grabbed him in the ring after the Taylor fight and said ‘what did I fucking tell you, I told you it would all be worth it.’ Then five minutes later it got snatched away from him.” Moore continued. “Since then, the rematch has been made three times and for whatever reason it has not happened. A really frustrating time for Jack.”
Just over a month ago Matchroom announced a trio of new signings. Catterall would join promoter Eddie Hearn alongside fellow additions Sunny Edwards and Shannon Ryan. The mood of the conversation switched as we discussed the future.
“Now Eddie Hearn has got him a plan.” Moore added with optimism. “I’m so happy for him. Even though he’s been in the gym and seems okay just getting on with training, now I can see he has that look in his eye and that spring in his step. He’s excited to move on. He is still only 29-years-old, that gives him at least three years where he can be at his peak. He is such an intelligent fighter, you should see some of the stuff he does in the gym. I think the better type of fighter he is in there with, the better you will see him perform. When he has a good fighter pressing him, that is when I see the best from him.
“Someone like Regis Prograis would be a great fight. We can’t overlook Darragh Foley, but we should be honest in the fact that Jack should beat him. But moving forward I would love him to get the Prograis fight, I truly believe he is the best in the world at super lightweight. Matchroom said they will get him boxing three times this year. He will be out in May, September and December which is perfect for him. He just needs some momentum now and to build on that. He’s managed by Sam Jones now, so with Sam and Eddie behind him now he should get steered in the right direction.”
