WBO No.1 Jack Catterall will be a fascinated ringside observer in Las Vegas on Saturday when WBC and WBO title holder Jose Ramirez and Scotland’s WBA Super and IBF champion Josh Taylor battle for the undisputed 140lbs crown.
The winner this weekend has agreed to face long-time WBO mandatory challenger Catterall who is looking forward to soaking up the big fight atmosphere which should await him next.
The unbeaten Chorley fighter believes Taylor will prevail at the Virgin Hotels Resort in Vegas and hopes the Scot keeps his promise to fight him next after Catterall stepped aside to allow this weekend’s bout to take place.
“I’m excited to be here for fight week. It is a massive fight, hopefully it is a good fight and I can let everyone know I’m serious about fighting the winner,” said southpaw Catterall (26-0, 13 KOs). “I will do some training, sparring and ultimately watch the fight. After the weekend, we will have a clear direction of where we’re going.
“I stepped aside on the promise that I will get the winner and I am under no illusion because anything can happen, but ultimately I have allowed them to create this big undisputed title fight. I have beaten everyone in front of me, done everything asked of me on my side.
“I hope Josh wins and hope he is a man of his word. It’s been talked about Taylor having a homecoming fight at Edinburgh Castle and I am bang up for the challenge. I could be wrong and I hope I am wrong, but I don’t think Ramirez will give me an opportunity. I think he probably has other plans.
“Taylor has publicly thanked me for stepping aside and allowing this big fight to happen. Hopefully, he can get the job done and we can get it on. I have been very patient and it’s been a long time coming, but I will be getting my crack.
“I’ve said it from the start, I think Taylor wins. Ramirez has improved, but is one -dimensional. He has a big heart, will come forward but he is up against a southpaw mover who can get stuck in. He will face problems.”