Jack Catterall stops Nathan Brough
Light welterweight Jack Catterall stunned the spectators at the Manchester Arena with a devastating second round knockout of Nathan Brough to claim his first professional title.
The Chorley southpaw floored his Liverpudlian rival with a brutal left hook early in the second round to claim the vacant Central-Area light-welterweight title and inflict a first professional defeat on his opponent. The fight was part of a packed undercard for the Billy Joe Saunders versus Emmanuel Blandamura contest for the vacant European middleweight title.
Catterall, who recently turned 21, now boasts a perfect record of nine victories from nine bouts with five coming inside the distance. He said: “I felt good in the ring and I didn’t expect it to come that early. “I’m delighted to have won the title and all the hard work that I have put in with everybody has paid off.”
It wasn’t all plain sailing for Catterall, who was without trainer Lee Beard. Beard was in the corner for welterweight Cecil McCalla on Friday night and due to Catterall’s early fight time it meant he would be unable to attend. But under the guidance of John Costello and Haroon Headley, Catterall breezed to an impressive victory. The first round was fairly even with Brough having success with the jab. Catterall landed two crisp shots to the head of Brough as both fighters looked to gain the upper hand.
The second round was much of the same until the crucial turning point. Brough threw a shot and Catterall moved inside throwing a left hook which landed straight on the chin of Brough.
Referee Mark Lyson waved the contest off with 58 seconds remaining and Brough required medical attention as he lay on the canvas.
Catterall is set for three weeks out of the gym as boxing takes a back seat over the summer before the new season starts in September.
Chorley’s Catterall hopes to return to the ring towards the back end of September.