Jack Catterall Still Aims On Becoming Undisputed
Jack Catterall still has aims on becoming undisputed at 140 pounds.
Catterall missed the chance to become undisputed after losing to Josh Taylor in 2022. The Brit lost a split decision in a controversial loss, with many feeling that Catterall had done enough to outbox Taylor. The rematch was meant to happen immediately. However, that did not happen, as Taylor vacated all his belts except the WBO. Taylor then was scheduled to fight Catterall only to withdraw from a foot injury.
Once he returned, Taylor chose to face Teofimo Lopez instead. Taylor would lose his WBO belt, meaning the Catterall rematch was not for belts. Although Catterall beat Taylor to avenge the loss, it was for no belts. Catterall will then face Regis Prograis in August. Prograis lost his WBC Junior Welterweight Title to Devin Haney. But Regis is a two-weight world champion. A win over Prograis would be Catterall’s biggest win and take him a step closer to a world title. His trainer, Jamie Moore, has backed him to win all the belts at 140.
Catterall’s Aim
“Eddie [Hearn] has promised Jack [Catterall] a world title shot after this. I have no doubt he will deliver that, whether it’s a vacant title because Haney and Lopez are maybe going to be vacating. Paro is with Eddie, so it seems like an easy enough fight to make. To become undisputed champion is so difficult and two and a half years ago that was taken away from Jack.
“No one ever expects to get a second chance again, the way it’s opening up now, you never know. Over the next 12 months, it could actually align that he gets the options, if he can go in there and win a world title, to start getting involved in unifications. It could be the case that it comes full circle, and he gets the chance to become undisputed champion,” Moore said
If he beats Progais, Catterall has several options available at 140. One is a fight with the IBF Junior Welterweight Champion Liam Paro, who is with Matchroom Boxing. Paro caused a major upset, beating Subriel Matias to win the belt. There is no rematch clause, meaning Catterall could get that fight. However, he may have to go to Australia to win the belts. There is also the chance to box Isaac Cruz. PBC is working with the Saudis as Riyad Season will hold their first card in Los Angeles on August 3.
Options
Cruz will fight on that card. Since Matchrroom is also working closely with the Saudis, there is a chance to face Cruz, who holds the WBA Junior Welterweight Belt. That would create a huge unification, allowing for a mega-Mexican clash. The fight would sell out in the UK. It would also do the same if it occurred in Cinco De Mayo next year.
While there is the chance to face Teofimo Lopez for the WBO belt, that is less likely. Lopez has fought once on DAZN, losing to George Kambosos Jr. Lopez bashed the decision and hit out at DAZN. So, any fight would require Catterall to go to ESPN or DAZN if Teo reconciles. Either way, Moore wants to see Caterrall get a belt.
“The main focus has got to be on Jack winning a world title. If and when he does that, he can try for unifications, to try and become undisputed again. If that’s not an option, I think we should look at moving up to 147 and pastures new,” Moore added
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