OPTIONS GALORE AS EL GATO SEEKS WORLD DOMINATION

The period between February 2022 and May 2024 was a very turbulent time for Jack Catterall.

After being controversially beaten by Josh Taylor for the undisputed super-lightweight championship, the mooted rematch then fell through on multiple occasions for various reasons. It’s probably a period he wants to forget in a hurry.

However, as Violet Fane once famously said, “good things come to those who wait” and after gaining revenge over Taylor, and then marrying the love of his life just 11 days later, Catterall now finds himself on the brink of a second world title shot and a career-high payday.

Here, we take a look at five potential opponents for Catterall and rate the chances of each fight taking place next.

Arnold Barboza Jr - 9/10

First up is Arnold Barboza Jr. Probably the least-known fighter on the list, he finds himself at the top of it since it’s already been confirmed that the pair have entered negotiations for a Manchester clash in August.

With 30 wins from 30 fights, and 11 of those coming by way of stoppage, he controversially got the better of Sean McComb in his last fight, with many thinking Barboza was fortunate to prevail.

Despite no world title being on the line this is, aesthetically at least, the best fight of the lot.

Barboza loves to march forward, and he isn’t afraid to take a shot to give two back, the sort of style you think would suit Catterall down to a tee.

He’s much heavier on his feet than Taylor, similar to Catterall, so if these two meet in the centre of the ring, expect fireworks.

Liam Paro - 7/10

The likeable undefeated Aussie caused one of the upsets of 2024 earlier this month when he dethroned the hard-hitting Puerto Rican IBF champ Subriel Matias on away soil, defying the huge 9/1 odds for him to win on points.

A southpaw, like Catterall, Paro showed in his fight with Matias that he has what it takes to compete with the very best in the world when showing an array of skills from simply outboxing Matias to outsmarting him when the pair did stand and trade.

Matias was, however, there to be hit for a large proportion of the fight. Something that Catterall wouldn’t be if they were to throw it down in the squared circle. It would be a game of chess between two solid southpaws who’ve shown that they can box and slug it out if necessary.

This would be the world title shot that Catterall has been craving and it has the potential to be a fight-of-the-year candidate.

Regis Prograis - 7/10

Another potential southpaw opponent for Catterall is former world champion Regis Prograis.

After losing his world title to Josh Taylor in 2019, Prograis became a two-time world champion when stopping Jose Zepeda in an 11-round thriller in November 2022.

A less-than-impressive first defence against Danielito Zorrilla followed, before he lost his world title to the undisputed lightweight champion Devin Haney in December of last year.

Catterall and Prograis have exchanged words for a couple of years now, respectfully, and there wouldn’t be too much bad blood between the pair if they did fight.

However, both men believe they should have a world title around their waist and whoever wins will be in prime position for another crack at world honours.

Devin Haney - 5/10

Now for a couple of fights that are fairly unlikely to happen next. First up is WBC champion Devin Haney.

Despite El Gato being ranked #3 in the WBC, the fight with Haney seems a distinct possibility.

Firstly, because Haney has recently stated on social media that he intends to take a two-year break from the sport whilst he waits for Ryan Garcia to serve a suspension and then rematch him after Garcia tested positive for PED’s following their clash earlier this year.

Secondly, the Catterall fight for Haney is probably seen as high-risk, low reward by the two-weight world champion. Catterall still isn’t the biggest of names in America, and with the likes of compatriots Garcia and Teofimo Lopez hanging about, it’s easy to see why Haney would avoid a fight with Catterall.

If the fight did get made, however, it would be a battle of the sharp-shooting counter punchers, albeit from different stances.

Teofimo Lopez - 3/10

Probably the least likely of opponents for Catterall is WBO and Ring Magazine champion Lopez.

Promoted by Top Rank, a well-known rival of Catterall’s promoter’s Matchroom, the two-time world champion has never shown any interest in a fight with the Brit, despite El Gato calling him out immediately after his victory over Josh Taylor, the man who Lopez emphatically beat last year to win his world titles.

The other hindrance is Catterall’s ranking with the IBF. As mentioned, he’s currently ranked #3 with the WBC, IBF and WBA but as it stands today, he’s only ranked #6 with the WBO.

With Lopez taking on the relatively unknown Steve Claggett in his next bout, he’s going to need a mega fight before the end of the year and unfortunately for Catterall, Top Rank probably aren’t ready to take the risk of throwing Lopez in with the proud Chorley man, especially after Catterall’s victory over one of their stable stars in Josh Taylor.

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