Jack Catterall is seeking an immediate shot at the winner of the undisputed Super Lightweight title clash between Josh Taylor and Jose Ramirez and is backing Taylor to secure a famous win.
Taylor puts his WBA, IBF and Ring Magazine titles on the line against WBC and WBO champion, Ramirez at Virgin Hotels in Las Vegas on Saturday, live on ESPN in the USA and FITE TV in the UK.
Catterall is Ramirez’s WBO mandatory and was due an opportunity to face the Californian, but stepped aside in October to enable him to face his Scottish rival.
The 27-year-old will be ringside for the Sin City showdown and admits he is hopeful that the ‘The Tartan Tornado’ will bring back all the belts, before facing him potentially at Edinburgh Castle later this year, but is doubtful whether Ramirez would meet him having revealed plans on moving up to tackle WBO Welterweight world champion, Terence Crawford.
“I’m excited to be here for fight week,” Catterall said to Queensberry Promotions.
“It is a massive fight, hopefully it is a good fight and I can let everyone know I’m serious about fighting the winner.
“I will do some training, sparring and ultimately watch the fight. After the weekend we will have a clear direction of where we’re going.
“I stepped aside on the promise that I will get the winner and I am under no illusion because anything can happen.
“But, ultimately I have allowed them to create this big undisputed title fight.
“I have beaten everyone in front of me, done everything asked of me on my side.
“I hope Josh wins and hope he is a man of his word.
“It’s been talked about Taylor having a homecoming fight at Edinburgh Castle and I am bang up for the challenge.
“I could be wrong and I hope I am wrong, but I don’t think Ramirez will give me an opportunity. I think he probably has other plans.
“Taylor has publicly thanked me for stepping aside and allowing this big fight to happen. Hopefully he can get the job done and we can get it on.
“I have been very patient and it’s been a long time coming, but I will be getting my crack.”
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Taylor heads into Saturday’s clash as the betting favourite, having won the World Boxing Super Series with a thrilling win over former world champion, Regis Prograis in October 2019, followed by a first round knockout of IBF mandatory challenger, Apinun Khongsong in September.
Ramirez claimed a majority decision win victory over Viktor Postol in August, having unified the belts with a sixth round stoppage over Maurice Hooker in July 2019.
And Catterall, who beat Abderrazak Houya over 10 rounds in his most recent outing in November believes that Taylor will have enough to beat Ramirez.
“I’ve said it from the start, I think Taylor wins,” Catterall added.
“Ramirez has improved, but is one dimensional. He has a big heart, will come forward but he is up against a southpaw mover who can get stuck in. He will face problems.
“Every meaningful fight I’ve had has been on the road. Tyrone McKenna I went to Belfast, Tom Stalker we were in Liverpool and Tyrone Nurse in Leeds.
“I don’t mind travelling and Edinburgh for a scrap would be brilliant. I have already planned English drummers to walk me out.”
