Exclusive: Jack Catterall Set for Major Comeback Fight as World Title Push Resumes

Jack Catterall is set to relaunch his push for a world title, SportsBoom can exclusively reveal.

The Lancastrian, one of the leading names in boxing’s most competitive division, suffered a set-back in his bid to be crowned king of the light-welterweights when he was beaten by Arnold Barboza Jr earlier this year.

But after licking his wounds at Jamie Moore’s gym in Manchester, Catterall is now ready for a return to action with his manager, Sam Jones, explaining the finish touches are being applied to a contract for a bout which could put him back in the mix to face Alberto Puello, Teofimo Lopez, Richardson Hitchins or Gary Antuanne Russell who hold the WBC, WBO, IBF and WBA belts respectively.

“Jack has got a big fight in the works and there will be an announcement, hopefully, within the next few weeks,” Jones said. “It’s going to be a big rest of the year for him after that."

“He’s got a big, big profile already. That’s not changed. So he’s going to be in a massive fight next and then we’ll see him push on for that world title.”

From Chorley, Catterall would have been set to face Lopez in New York city had he conquered Barboza Jr in February. 

Instead, he was forced to watch the Mexican-American fail in his attempt to dethrone Lopez on a star-studded card also boasting the likes of Devin Haney and Ryan Garcia.

Mootre, who trains the 31-year-old in Walkden, confirmed ahead of that show, which was staged on Times Square, that his man was “ready to step in” if one of the boxers involved was ruled-out by injury.

ABSOLUTE STINKERS

Jones continued: “It’s a shame no one pulled-out because the fights, let’s be honest, were all absolute stinkers. They were awful."

"Jack was ready to go. He’s had a bit of a rest but, essentially, he’s stayed very active and was ready to go out there if the opportunity had arisen. It didn’t so we push on.”

Despite the loss to Barboza Jr, Catterall is still highly ranked by both the WBO and the WBC, who have placed his fellow Briton Dalton Smith as their number one contender. 

A battle between the two compatriots could materialise in the not-so-distant future - particularly if Smith wrestles the strap away from Puello. 

But, for the time being, other names are being considered with a rematch against Barboza Jr also being mooted somewhere down the line.

Reflecting on that defeat, which came after Catterall had overcome Jorge Linares, Darragh Foley, Josh Taylor and Regis Prograis, Jones said: “Jack didn’t do enough in that one. We still had him winning but he’ll have wished he’d done a little more to hammer that home, I’m sure."

“It was one of those fights you could have scored either way. So, although I still think he won, I’m not criticising it or going mad. You couldn’t argue with Barboza either.”

“Jack is itching to get back out there and we’re working on something big,” Jones added. “He’s still right in the frame and we still think he’s the best around."

“He’ll still get that world title and we’re going to make sure he’s on the way.”