Josh Taylor v Jack Catterall preview: Scotland faces England in Glasgow

One of the most anticipated clashes in British boxing is set to go down in Glasgow’s OVO Hydro Arena on Saturday night as Scotland’s Josh Taylor and England’s Jack Catterall go head-to-head for the undisputed super-lightweight title.

Both men have been touted as the best-of the-best in Britain and both put their undefeated records on the line in what is set to be an absorbing encounter.

We preview the action and run through the latest William Hill boxing odds.

Taylor made for the big time

Despite having just 18 career fights under his belt, Josh Taylor has already established that he is not the future of British boxing anymore. He’s the present. Having already despatched opponents including Regis Prograis, Ohara Davies and Jose Ramirez on his way to becoming undisputed champion, Taylor has little left to prove as he looks to put himself in the conversation for super fights against the likes of Terence Crawford in the future.

First though, he must overcome Jack Catterall, and he’ll have to be at his best to do so. Taylor has become renowned as one of the best defensive fighters in the game today. Not to say that his style is negative, but his management of range, ability to slip and his counter-striking is amongst the best in the sport, and as he matures as a fighter his fight IQ has continued to grow with every fight.

Perhaps no better example of this exists than the Scot’s knockout of Ramirez to claim the undisputed crown, effortlessly slipping a straight right from his opponent before putting him down with a perfectly-timed left hook. Taylor’s all-round game is almost without flaw and Catterall will need the greatest performance of his life to topple the champion on home turf.

Catterall can take his big opportunity

Several years after being named mandatory challenger, the fighting pride of Chorley gets his opportunity at a world title. While much has been made of Catterall’s progress so far, this will be the toughest proposition of his career to date and he’ll have to bring his game to a new level to leave with the belts.

Undefeated in his 26 career appearances, Catterall took a points decision against Abderrazak Houya in his last fight in November 2020 to set up the clash with Taylor. His southpaw style has proved tricky for opponents to find an answer to and his long reaching lead-jab has allowed him to control the tempo of his fights to date. When he does manage to get in close, Catterall’s powerful hooks are one of his most dangerous weapons and he’ll need to be acutely aware of range in this fight.

If he is able to either get to the inside and make this a fight with his dirty boxing, or turn the fight into a battle of jabs then the Englishman has more than a chance in this one. He’s flown a bit under the radar due to the big names being touted as potential future opponents for Taylor, but he’s not to be underestimated and is as dangerous as they come at 140lbs.

Taylor favourite for victory

But it is the reigning undisputed super-lightweight champion Taylor who is currently the overwhelming betting favourite at 1/14 and he is 4/6 to do so inside the distance.

Catterall, meanwhile, stands as a 7/1 underdog, with his most likely avenue of victory being a decision win at 14/1.

Check out all the latest boxing betting odds at William Hill