Josh Taylor vs Jack Catterall – Who wins and why?
Josh ‘The Tartan Tornado’ Taylor (18-0, 13KOs) and Jack ‘El Gato’ Catterall (26-0, 13KOs) meet this weekend at The SSE Hydro in Glasgow on a BOXXER event, co-promoted by Ben Shalom and Wasserman Boxing.
BBN asked their panel of experts who they think wins and why:
Ryan Walsh
Former British Champion
"Very good all-southpaw clash. I see Taylor using his advantages – size/power and, most importantly, experience – to win a clear unanimous decision."
Ohara Davies
WBA #3 Super-Lightweight
"Obviously Taylor wins."
Tim Rickson
BBN Editor
"Josh Taylor's experience at this level will be the biggest factor in this fight, I believe. I think Taylor is better in every department anyway, but he has operated at world level for over three years now and for his last six fights or so, starting with Viktor Postol in 2018.
"I like Catterall, he's unbeaten, confident, won half his fights by knockout, but I think he will be seriously outclassed by Taylor. I'm sure he'll give a good account of himself but I see this contest being very one-sided and I think Taylor will get the stoppage after he has worn 'El Gato' down for a few rounds first.
"Aside from the mismatch with Khongsong, during lockdown, Taylor's world championship fights have all gone the distance – Baranchyk, Prograis, Ramirez.
"However, I can see Taylor gradually breaking Catterall down over the rounds to really get to him around the seventh onwards. After a couple of rounds, I think Taylor will be in full flow, working inside neatly and accurately to land an excessive amount of his clever shots from different angles to torment and hurt Catterall gradually over time."
Michael Akobi
BCM Boxing
"The only noteworthy name on Jack Catterall's record is maybe Ohara Davies, who was given a beatdown to and eventually taken out in the seventh round by Josh Taylor.
This is a massive step up for Catterall and anytime he has stepped up in competition and won, it's been by points decision, and he is going to have to work a miracle to pull off a win against Taylor.
"The scrappy southpaw will fall into many of the traps set up by Taylor, which will eventually wear Catterall down. Taylor is crafty and the accumulation of shots delivered by him will take their toll.
"Taylor wins by knockout."
Carl Frampton
Former Two-Weight World Champion
"Josh Taylor would have to be a massive favourite."
Arijan Goricki
Featherweight Prospect
"I think that Josh Taylor will stop Jack Catterall in the mid to late rounds. Catterall will come on strong but Taylor's IQ will be too much for him."
Dee 'The Hat' Taggart
Boxing Trainer
"I really like and respect both fighters and camps, but I think Josh Taylor is one of the pound-for-pound fighters in the world. And what he has done since turning professional in a relatively short space of time is incredible.
"If Taylor is on it, he has too much of everything for Jack. It’s a great fight!"
Mick Kane
Boxing/MMA Writer
"I can only see Josh Taylor being victorious on the night, with a fervent home crowd cheering him on at the Hydro.
"Catterall will be a live opponent, unbeaten so will fancy his chances but Taylor has mixed it with a higher calibre of fighter and came out on top on each challenge.
"Catterall is a few years younger but has fought eight more fights but Taylor's experience in the amateurs has seen him bulldoze through the super-lightweight division.
"It's a good old fashioned Scotland v England tussle which should make for a good atmosphere and I expect another Scotland win, to go alongside the rugby, darts and the moral win (draw) at Wembley in the Euros!"
Ben Day
Former Southern Area Champion
"I wish Jack all the best, I think he’s a great guy and very likeable, but I just think Josh is on another level and has all that extra experience.
"My prediction is that he stops Jack in the later rounds of the fight with crippling body shots. I'm looking forward to this one!"
John Raspanti
Chief Lead Boxing Writer at MaxBoxing.com
"Josh Taylor is a big favorite to defeat Jack Catterall for several reasons.
"Taylor, 31, packs more pop than Catterall and can be slick when he wants to be.
"He's engaged in eight fewer fights than Catterall but has taken part in much bigger bouts. Catterall will need to surprise Taylor to win.
"There are levels in boxing – and Taylor is a level above Catterall.
"I see him winning by stoppage."
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