The fists did not start flying, but there were fireworks between undisputed junior welterweight world champion Josh Taylor and top contender Jack Catterall. Taylor and Catterall will lock horns for all the belts Saturday evening at OVO Hydro in Glasgow, Scotland, a short drive from Taylor’s hometown of Prestonpans.
In the 10-round featherweight co-feature, Cuban star and two-time Olympic gold medalist, Robeisy Ramirez, will face Irish contender Eric Donovan. Ramirez has not fought in the UK since the 2012 London Olympics, the site of his first Olympic triumph.
Taylor-Catterall, Ramirez-Donovan, and additional fight action will stream live and exclusively on ESPN+ in the United States at 2 p.m. ET/11 a.m. PT.
Three additional Top Rank-signed fighters will see action on the undercard, streaming live on Top Rank’s YouTube channel at 12:30 p.m. ET/9:30 a.m. PT.
Irish welterweight star Paddy Donovan (7-0, 5 KOs) goes for his third consecutive knockout in a six-rounder against Czech veteran Miroslav Serban (13-8, 7 KOs). Kieran Molloy, a 5’11 southpaw from Galway, Ireland, will make his long-awaited professional debut against Damian Esquisabel (4-7) in a four-rounder. Molloy earned a host of amateur accolades, including a bronze medal at the 2018 EU Championships. Featherweight phenom Kurt Walker, who represented Ireland at the Tokyo Olympics and won gold at the 2019 European Games, will make his pro debut in a four-rounder against Jaroslav Hriadel (1-2, 1 KO).
This is what the fighters had to say at Thursday’s press conference.
Josh Taylor
“Everyone has been starved for nights out and things to do these last two years. There hasn’t been much happening. Everyone has come out in numbers — {the arena} has sold out — and I’ve got an abundance of fans coming from England supporting me. I’ve probably got more fans coming from England to support me than Jack has coming to support him. It’s a great night. I can’t wait.”
“It’s Jack on Saturday. It’s his turn next. He’s going to get the beating Saturday, which I’m going to dish out. All I’m thinking about is Jack Catterall. He’s trying to take away what I’ve worked so hard to get. I’ve cleaned out the division. He’s getting a shot at the jackpot in one fight. I’m going to put him in his place on Saturday.”
“He’s good. We’ll find out on Saturday, but he’s in for a long night. A long, painful methodical beatdown on Saturday.”
“I just don’t see a way that he can beat me in this fight. I don’t know how he’s going to do it, but I’m prepared for every single way. Whatever he brings, I’m more than prepared for.”
Jack Catterall
“I’ve been mandatory for the WBO title. After waiting two years, I’ve got a chance now to capture the undisputed. I’ve not just come up here to make up the numbers. I’ve been waiting two years for this opportunity.”
“I think the respect has been there. Me and Josh know once the bell goes, the respect is out of the window. We can shake hands after. We’re going to punch each other’s heads in and that’s in.”