Jack Catterall v Ohara Davies Preview

Jack Catterall v Ohara Davies Preview

Over the years Frank Warren has had his struggles and many have written him off on numerous occasions, but in recent times the veteran promoter has shown he is very much back in the game. High profile signings like Carl Frampton and Tyson Fury have shown he is a big-time player again despite the now global empire of his bitter domestic rival Eddie Hearn.

This Saturday, Warren’s heavily promoted latest offering takes place at the Morningside Arena in Leicester headlined by Jack Catterall who defends his WBO Inter-Continental super lightweight belt against Ohara Davies who puts his own WBC International strap on the line. But despite the titles on the line, much more is at stake.

Catterall wants to keep his unbeaten record and the upwards trajectory of his career going and edge closer to a more meaningful title. Davies on the other seeks to get his own career back on track, but possibly much more than that, he will seek redemption. The excellent Josh Taylor took away his unbeaten record when the two met in Glasgow last year. While Davies had his moments in a thrilling contest he was largely dominated by Taylor, and Davies was made to look one-dimensional and predictable.

The unbeaten Catterall (22-0) is the better boxer of the two, more fluid in his work, Davies knows he has power but relies on it a little too much, against Taylor he found out he will need more when he steps up the quality of opposition. Davies does seem to be maturing of late, gone is the outrageous pre-fight talk, preferring to concentrate on the task and let his fists do the talking instead.

I do get a sense Davies wants to prove a point, he wants to make amends for the Taylor loss and show he is the real deal and wants to be taken more seriously. We have to remember that Taylor is amongst the elite of the division, maybe the best of the lot and Davies might have been judged a little harshly for that defeat, so far his only defeat in 19 pro fights.

The Odds Courtesy of @SkyBet

Jack Catterall 10/11
Draw 20/1
Ohara Davies 10/11

The odds during fight week have certainly moved in favour of Davies, the bookies see it now as an even fight, earlier on in the week Catterall was the betting favourite.

Prediction

Picking a winner for this fight is difficult, there is no doubt we will see a much-improved version of Davies than the one we saw against Taylor. Sometimes you start believing your own hype and Taylor will have knocked some reality into Davies I am sure. Davies will be more focussed and the shift in odds I think accurately reflect the closeness of the fight. Even if Davies is getting outboxed he carries enough power in his fists to very quickly turn it around.

But I am leaning ever so slightly towards Catterall using his greater boxing skills to just stay one step ahead of Davies. Catterall might have to ride out a few scares along the way, but I see Catterall remaining unbeaten after 12 hard rounds.

Also on the Card:

Nicola Adams OBE vs Isabel Millan

Daniel Dubois vs Kevin Johnson

Lyon Woodstock vs Archie Sharp