The cauldron of the SSE Hydro in Glasgow is the setting this Saturday night, as Scottish hero Josh Taylor makes the first defence of his WBC, WBA ‘super’, IBF and WBO undisputed super lightweight titles against his WBO mandatory challenger, Jack Catterall.
BOXXER promote Taylor vs Catterall live on Sky Sports in the UK, with ESPN+ taking the USA rights.
This contest was due to take place at the back end of 2021, but the champion suffered a knee injury in training, and the fight will now go ahead with no further delays.
Taylor (18-0, 13 KOs) became world champion in May 2019, taking the IBF belt in a thrilling points win against Ivan Baranchyk and added the WBA ‘super’ strap in his next fight, and also won the World Boxing Super Series in a razor-thin majority nod over Regis Prograis in London.
The COVID-10 pandemic the Scot’s progress slightly, and his first defence of his unified belts came behind closed doors, in September 2020.
The 31-year-old shrugged off the distractions to knock out Apinun Khongsong inside a round with a body shot, which was a pre-cursor to fighting for the undisputed title.
May 2021 came the day of destiny for ‘The Tartan Tornado’ where he faced WBC and WBO champion Jose Ramirez in Las Vegas. In front of a limited crowd, Taylor was superb, flooring the Californian twice, which proved crucial in a two point win on all three cards.
He now defends against Chorley’s Catterall (26-0, 13 KOs), who has patiently waited for his shot after serving as number one contender for some time.
‘El Gato’ has faced nowhere near world class opposition, but has picked up decent wins over the likes of Tyrone McKenna (UD10) and common foe, Ohara Davies (UD12) along the way.
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The 28-year-old has had to tick over waiting for his chance, stepping aside for the undisputed title match to take place, and he was last out in November 2020, outscoring Abderrazak Houya over ten rounds.
Prediction: Taylor is in the prime of his career, and will want to further cement his legacy, starting with a win here. Catterall has bided his time, and is unbeaten, but is boxing at a totally different level to what he has been used to. I think Taylor will dominate, and force a stoppage win in the later rounds.
Ramirez meets Donovan
Top Rank lend a special talent to Glasgow for the evening in Robeisey Ramirez and the Cuban double Olympic champion takes on Ireland’s Eric Donovan over a scheduled ten rounds at featherweight.
Ramirez (8-1, 4 KOs) lost on debut in an upset, but has since avenged that defeat and has kicked on.
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He was last out in October 2021, taking a landslide decision win over ten against Orlando Ruiz.
Donovan (14-1, 8 KOs) is best known for his sole loss, an August 2020 eighth round stoppage defeat to Zelfa Barrett after making a bright start.
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Prediction: ‘Lilywhite Lightning’ has had two low-key wins since, but I can’t see him making a dent in Ramirez, who should win in the later rounds here.
Campbell clashes with McFarlane for Scottish title
At heavyweight, the vacant Scottish title is up for grabs over a scheduled ten, and Nick Campbell (4-0, 4 KOs) should take the belt with an early win against Jay McFarlane (12-5, 5 KOs).
#tb to Josh Taylor’s hope fellow Scot Nick Campbell would be on his undercard 🏴
Campbell will collide with Jay McFarlane in the FIRST Scottish heavyweight title fight since 1951 💥
📺 Watch on Sky Sports Action, Main Event and Showcase on 26th Feb@boxxer @trboxing pic.twitter.com/uuRyUwrbVj
— Sky Sports Boxing (@SkySportsBoxing) February 22, 2022
Gibbs faces Perez
Former Ultimate BOXXER winner, Cori Gibbs (16-0, 3 KOs) is also in action, and the Birmingham-based super lightweight should take a points win over Spaniard, Carlos Perez (17-6-2, 2 KOs).
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Remaining Undercard
Paddy Donovan (7-0, KO5) is one to watch, and the 23-year-old Irishman should be able to halt Miroslav Serban (13-8, 7 KOs) before the end of their welterweight affair.
Scottish featherweight prospect, Mark McKeown (5-0, 2 KOs) may also be in for an early night against Hungary’s Laszlo Szoke (2-7, 2 KOs).
Bilal Fawaz (1-0, 1 KO) made his debut a matter of weeks ago, and the super welterweight can score early win number two against Malam Varela (1-1, 1 KO).
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Another looking for a second pro win is Ebonie Jones (1-0) and the Portsmouth native can take a points win against Eftychia Kathopouli (4-3).
Super middleweight, John Docherty (11-1, 8 KOs) is also set to be in action against an opponent to be confirmed.
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There are no less than three debutants on show. Scott Forrest can win inside schedule in his cruiserweight assignment against Erik Nazaryan (28-25-4, 21 KOs), and at featherweight, Kurt Walker can also take a stoppage win against Jaroslav Hriadel (1-2, 1 KO).
Galway-based, Kieran Molloy can make it a hattrick of early debutant wins in his super welterweight clash with Spain’s Damian Esquisabel (4-7).
