Taylor-Made Title Defense
WBO, WBA, WBC and IBF Belts on Line vs. Catterall
First Defense for Unbeaten Taylor
Boxing superstar Josh Taylor is set to defend his four world championship belts against unbeaten Jack Catterall in Glasgow, Scotland, on Saturday.
The sportsbook has Taylor as the raging-hot -1800 favorite despite facing a 26-0 fighter, which shows how good he is.
After winning the light welterweight titles against Jose Carlos Ramirez last year, Taylor is keen to defend all four belts for the first time.
British boxing fans are still on a high from the Brook vs Khan fight, so this could be another classic.
Taylor Channeling Idol
It’s unusual for a boxer to have a motorcycling idol, but Taylor idolizes Valentino Rossi and he relates himself to the Italian.
The 31-year-old scored a unanimous decision victory over Ramirez last May, and although not as explosive as his knockout win over Apinun Khongsong, it was an excellent showing.
Taylor usually comes out swinging, much like Rossi would do on the motorcycle.
“He was fast and furious but always in control and that 100 percent sounds like me,” Taylor told The Sun.
“I’m fast and furious but I’m very much in control of what I’m doing, of my emotions and being disciplined. It might look like I’m ferocious and being nasty and vicious but I’m very much in control of it.”
From his 18 professional fights, the two-time Commonwealth medalist has fought only 103 rounds. Many of his early fights ended quickly, but he has gone the distance in four of his last six bouts.
Despite his aggression, Taylor has been able to go deep into the fight and still has reserves. That makes him one of the most dangerous fighters in the world because there’s no respite from the opening bell.
“I don’t want to get beaten, I have a fear of losing, I’m a born winner. I’m competitive in everything I do and everything I do is geared towards winning,” Taylor said.
Boxing betting odds have Taylor at astronomically low odds, so he’s tough to bet on him. However, there is value in exotic betting markets.
Catterall Acknowledges Tough Test
Having an undefeated record isn’t everything in boxing, but Catterall’s record stands for itself.
Of his 26 wins, 13 have come via knockout and he has two four-star fights on his record. He defeated Tyrone McKenna and Ohara Davies in 2018 to win the WBO Inter-Continental title, so he has ability.
Betting online markets have Catterall at +800, and although bookmakers aren’t giving him much of a chance, he shouldn’t be discounted.
The southpaw sent Abderrazak Houya to the ground twice in his win in 2020. He hasn’t fought since, but having a long camp could be a positive as he faces his toughest test.
Catterall is not showing the same level of confidence as Taylor, which is our biggest concern.
“Everything has got to go right,” Catterall said. “Every box will be ticked come fight night. There will be no excuses on my side. I win by turning up to Glasgow, February 26, and being Jack Catterall.
“It doesn’t matter to me however those belts come back. I can go up there and I can stop Josh, happy days. Beat him on points, all good.”
We would have loved to see Catterall come out swinging at the press conferences. However, false bravado doesn’t win fights and Catterall is there to cause a big upset.
Bookmakers have the total rounds line at 10½, so they’re expecting Taylor to win on points. It’s the likely result, but if Catterall can start well, he has a puncher’s chance.
