Jack Catterall defeats Jorge Linares via unanimous decision،
Jack Catterall routed Jorge Linares by unanimous decision Saturday in Liverpool, England, in a 12-round junior welterweight fight.
The Englishman Catterall won with scores of 117-111, 116-112 and 116-112. He holds no titles, but is ESPN’s No. 1 boxer at 140 pounds following a controversial decision over Josh Taylor for the undisputed championship last year.
Catterall (28-1, 13 KO) stunned Linares in the fifth round with a left hand that forced him to grab the ropes. Catterall appeared to hurt him several times later in the fight, but Linares never threatened to be stopped after being TKO’d in his previous two fights.
“The times I caught him, I probably should have gone more [at him]” said Catterall, who ended a 15-month absence with a decision victory over Darragh Foley in May. “These 12 rounds with Jorge will put me in good shape before these big fights. …I did what I set out to do. …Taylor, where are you? Let’s go.”
This remains the biggest fight for Catterall, even though Taylor is no longer a champion after being soundly beaten by Teofimo Lopez in June.
Eddie Hearn, Catterall’s promoter, said he would contact Taylor’s promoter, Top Rank, to begin discussions for a possible rematch in early 2024. Taylor plans to campaign at 147 pounds; Hearn said they were open to a catchweight fight.
“It’s personal now,” said Catterall, who was scheduled to face Taylor in March before Taylor injured his foot. “He has said some nasty things over the last 18 months and I think we have a score to settle.
“…I’m going to need a Josh Taylor, a Devin Haney, a Regis Prograis to bring out the best in me and light that fire.”
Catterall boxed magnificently against Linares to earn the biggest victory of his career. The 38-year-old was in play, but was no match for Catterall’s slick southpaw style.
Catterall, 30, measured Linares with his jab and often made him pay with a looping left hand. Linares (47-9, 29 KO) sometimes showed the athletic ability that made him a three-division champion, but he missed his right hand more often.
Linares was cut over his left eye in the second round following a clash of heads. And his eye was swollen after the fight.
This had harmful consequences. In fact, after four straight defeats, the Venezuelan – who was stopped in his two previous outings, both in Russia, preceded by a decision loss to Haney – told Boxing News: “This is my last fight. I told my family if I lost, it’s my last fight.”
Catterall’s timing and ability on the back foot was far too much for Linares to contend with and is likely to be a handful for any of the champions at 140 pounds.
“Losing to this guy, I feel amazing, I feel happy,” Linares said. “…He’s an incredible fighter. …I don’t need to fight anymore. I’m super happy with this fight.”
Catterall entered the ring as an 8-1 favorite and is now hoping for another title shot next year, or even a chance at revenge.
“Every fighter wants to win a world title, but every fighter wants a fight with that buildup,” said Hearn, who also mentioned the Dec. 9 Haney-Prograis winner as a possibility. “…There will be no respect against Josh Taylor. This is a fight everyone wants to see.”
