BY TRIS DIXON
May 26, 2024
Source: Boxing Scene
Photo Source: Boxing Scene
Promoter Eddie Hearn is hopeful that Jack Catterall’s big win over Josh Taylor in Leeds will bring him closer to a world title fight.
Catterall outpointed his bitter rival over 12 fast-paced rounds at the First Direct Arena and was faced with questions about what he wanted to do next.
The fighter said he hoped to get a fight with WBO light welterweight champion Teofimo Lopez, while there is a clamor for him to fight Taylor a third time with their rivalry sitting at 1-1.
“After a fight like that, with that kind of profile in front of a sold-out crowd and huge worldwide audience live on DAZN and also, in the U.S, on ESPN+, Jack is right up there,” Hearn said.
“Of course, people talk about the trilogy [with Taylor]. For me, I will always look at the biggest fights out there. But it’s also important we look at the big fights for the career of Jack Catterall.
“He should have been the undisputed world champion [after not getting the decision in the first fight with Taylor], so we now need to try and position him for a world championship.
“When you have a performance like that and a night like that, positioning someone like that is far more easier to do because people want to see it.
“We have Subriel Matias fighting Liam Paro in a couple of weeks [June 15] and we will have Devin Haney fighting Sandor Martin.
"Teofimo Lopez is fighting Steve Claggett – and, without being disrespectful to Steve Claggett, it is a disgrace. It’s a joke fight for someone who says he’s the best 140lbs in the world. Jack Catterall is the guy who should be fighting Teofimo Lopez, and we believe he will beat him all day long.
“We believe that Jack should be a world champion now, but that’s a thing of the past and is now the next step and the natural step. One thing we know for sure, it will be a massive fight next – and, if I have a choice, it will be for a world title against Lopez."
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