Fighter of the Week (5/20-5/26): Jack Catterall
We got the record set straight, the front runner for Fight of the Year and our Fighter of the Week all in one Saturday in Leeds, United Kingdom, as Jack "El Gato" Catterall of Lancashire, United Kingdom—exacted revenge on Josh Taylor of Edinburgh, Scotland, the lone blemish on his resume. El Gato moved his record to 29-1 (13), established himself as one of the premier 140-pounders in the world, and took home our Fighter of the Week Award, although he did not capture a single world title, something he should have when he was robbed blind in his first fight with Taylor when Taylor had all the belts at 140 back in 2022.
Catterall looked determined not to give the judges a chance to rob him blind in the match with Taylor. He got to work quickly behind the jab, working and outpacing Taylor. Catterall looked way too fast for the aging Scotsman in the early going and out most of the first half of the fight in the bank. However, Taylor came roaring back in the sixth and rocked Catterall with a straight left that wobbled him. Taylor continued to press forward and mixed up head and body shots and began walking back to Catterall and driving him back into the ropes. It appeared that he was closing in on the stoppage when Catterall came surging back and took the last two rounds of the fight clearly, to seal the deal in an extremely close fight. A counter left hand caught Taylor flush on the chin and immediately changed the course of the fight. Catterall moved into follow up, but both fighters fell to the canvas after a clinch. Another left hand by Catterall punctuated a much-needed bounce-back round in a tight contest.
by scores 117-111, 117-111, and 116-113, much to the dismay of Bob Arum. The 117-111 scores did seem a bit wide, but not out of the question, and did not warrant the temper tantrum/outburst that Bob Arum put on following the fight.
Catterall is going to have a litany of good options, on top of that list will be the trilogy with the Scotsman, additionally, there will be plenty of other good options. The other name that is top of mind is Teofimo Lopezor Steve Claggett, whoever wins their fight next month for the WBO 140-pound world title. Devin Haney still holds the WBC belt. Two former world champions would also make interesting opponents in Regis Prograis and Jose Carlos Ramirez. Any of these fights would be highly anticipated main events and would clash with Richardson Hitchens. Fights that would make Catterall, now a legitimate star at 140, a massive payday and fights that Catterall could realistically win.
