JACK CATTERALL VS JORGE LINARES - UNDERCARD PREVIEW

Televised boxing heads north this weekend as the man who many believe is the uncrowned undisputed super-lightweight champion of the world, Jack Catterall, faces off against the legendary Jorge Linares for the WBA Inter-Continental Super-Lightweight title.

While that particular fight tops the bill, here we take a detailed look at an action-packed undercard in Liverpool.

Aqib Fiaz vs Reece Bellotti, Vacant Commonwealth Super-Featherweight Title

A classic boxer versus brawler clash, Oldham’s Aqib Fiaz will be looking to maintain his undefeated record against the former Commonwealth featherweight champion Reece Bellotti.

Slick, almost technically faultless and certainly easy on the eye, there’s been plenty of hype around Fiaz, although he had to overcome a huge amount of adversity in his last fight when he was dropped heavily in round six against Costin Ion. However, he recovered well to claim a close points decision victory, but it was a valuable lesson learned and one that will place him in good shape heading into Saturday’s clash.

‘The Bomber’, meanwhile, has had a rather indifferent career. Like Fiaz, he was undefeated in his first 12 fights as a professional and with dynamite in both hands, he’d already racked up 11 stoppages. 

Against the odds, though, Ryan Doyle brought an end to that emphatic run when stopping him inside five rounds. Since then, the Watford man has picked up just four wins from his last eight outings, although he’s coming into this fight off the back of a career-best performance against Youssef Khoumari in June.

The two most likely scenarios are Fiaz boxing the ears off Bellotti for 12 rounds, or Bellotti securing a stoppage at some point.

With Bellotti, you have a man who has seen it all before. A man who is determined to get his career back on track. A man who, in all honesty, may have to consider his options if he suffers another loss at this level. 

As with all Jim McDonnell fighters, you know Bellotti will be pushing the pace for 12 rounds and his experience, coupled with the ability to maintain his punch power throughout the rounds, may well just be the deciding factor. 

Peter McGrail vs Fran Mendoza

Prior to Fiaz vs Bellotti, Tokyo 2020 Olympian Peter McGrail continues his apprenticeship in his toughest fight to date against the unbeaten Fran Mendoza.

A fighter who has most certainly gone under the radar since turning professional two years ago, McGrail was a serious medal hope at the Olympics, but a horror draw led to an early exit.

Currently 7-0, with 5 KO victories to his name, the Liverpudlian takes on the Spain-based Colombian Mendoza, undefeated in his 17 professional fights so far.

This weekend’s fight will be Mendoza’s first outside Spain and the highly rated McGrail will likely prove a step too far for him.

McGrail knows a convincing victory will potentially set up a domestic cracker against Shabaz Masoud, who also features on the undercard against the experienced Jose Sanmartin.

Khaleel Majid vs Tom Farrell

This particular bout is flying under the radar, but it’s one that could provide the upset of the night.

Another undefeated prospect, Khaleel Majid has served his apprenticeship and now steps up against the experienced Liverpudlian Tom Farrell, who will be looking to get his career back on track following consecutive defeats to Harlem Eubank and Henry Turner. 

Based on what we’ve seen so far, Majid looks capable of kicking on and potentially targeting domestic titles in the next 12 months. However, he is yet to face the calibre of opponent he comes up against on Saturday, meaning time will tell.

Farrell will be relentless for all eight rounds, and he’s been here before having beaten prospects such as Kofi Yates and Kane Gardner, while also mixing it with Ohara Davies.

Majid will look to box, but Farrell’s pressure could well be the deciding factor in this one. Will it be a step too far for the undefeated prospect from Oldham? We will find out on Saturday.