What's next for Jack Catterall? 3 potential next opponents explored
Heading into the first encounter between Josh Taylor and Jack Catterall in Feb. 2022, Scotland's Taylor was the undisputed light welterweight (junior welterweight/super lightweight) champion. 'The Tartan Tornado' held the WBA (Super), WBC, WBO, IBF, and The Ring light welterweight titles. On the other hand, England's Catterall was the challenger.
Taylor defeated Catterall via split decision (114-111, 113-112, 112-113). However, many argued that 'El Gato' was more deserving of the judges' nod. It marked Catterall's first defeat as a professional boxer. He subsequently secured back-to-back unanimous decision victories over Darragh Foley and Jorge Linares in 2023.
Meanwhile, Taylor vacated his WBA belt in May 2022, and his undisputed title reign ended. He eventually relinquished most of his other titles too. Moreover, he put his WBO and The Ring belts at stake against Teofimo Lopez in June 2023 and lost them via unanimous decision. It marked Taylor's first pro boxing defeat.
Following that, Josh Taylor faced Jack Catterall in their long-awaited rematch on May 25, 2024. With no titles at stake this time around, the archrivals engaged in another grueling contest, which ended with the judges awarding Catterall a unanimous decision win (117-111, 117-111, 116-113). Today, we briefly examine the potential next opponents for the victorious 'El Gato.'
#3 Jack Catterall could fight Teofimo Lopez
Following his victory over Josh Taylor, Jack Catterall fielded questions from the media at the post-fight press conference. Catterall notably suggested that he'd like to fight Teofimo Lopez for the latter's WBO and The Ring light welterweight titles.
The 30-year-old British pugilist highlighted that he'd been a mandatory challenger for the WBO light welterweight championship for long. Apparently, Catterall views Lopez as a great stylistic matchup for him. 'El Gato' stated:
"We both have the win over him [Taylor]. I want to prove that I'm better than him [Lopez] ... Listen, I believe I've got the style to beat Lopez. And that's the fight I want."
Check out Catterall's comments below:
#2 Jack Catterall vs. Josh Taylor trilogy fight
Elsewhere during the post-fight press conference, Jack Catterall's promoter Eddie Hearn consistently acknowledged that a possible third fight between Catterall and Josh Taylor would surely be massive. 'El Gato' and the latter's team members onstage seemingly concurred.
After their rematch, it's believed that Taylor and Catterall would be open to a trilogy, if not next then down the line.
Nevertheless, the Matchroom Boxing promoter underscored the significance of getting Catterall a world title shot next. Hearn harked back to the controversial 2022 fight against Taylor and opined that Catterall should've been crowned undisputed champion back then.
Implying that a world title fight, rather than the Taylor trilogy, could be next for Catterall, Hearn said:
"Of course, people talk about the trilogy. And for me, I'll always look at the biggest fights out there. But it's about now also the career of Jack Catterall. And he should've been undisputed world champion. So, we need to try and position him now for a world championship fight."
Check out Hearn's comments below (5:30):
#1 Jack Catterall vs. Subriel Matias/Devin Haney
Eddie Hearn emphasized that if he had a choice, he'd have Jack Catterall fight for a world title next, preferably against Teofimo Lopez. Additionally, around the 10:45-minute mark, Hearn indicated that General Entertainment Authority (GEA) Chairman, His Excellency Turki Alalshikh, would've been impressed by Catterall's latest win.
Presently, speaking of the light welterweight division -- Isaac Cruz holds the WBA (Super) title, and Ismael Barroso is the WBA interim champion. Devin Haney has the WBC belt, the IBF belt is held by Subriel Matias, while Teofimo Lopez has the WBO and The Ring belts.
On that note, Hearn seemed to suggest that a fight against Haney, Matias, or Lopez for their titles would be ideal for Catterall next. 'El Gato's' next fight hasn't been officially announced yet. Regardless, Hearn said:
"Later on in the year, in Riyadh as well, we talk about a potential USA vs. UK card as well that His Excellency [Turki Alalshikh] has looked at. Teofimo against Jack Catterall, great fight out there. [Devin] Haney against Catterall, [Subriel] Matias against Catterall."