Josh Taylor vs Jack Catterall Prediction, Results & Betting Tips

Betting Tip: Josh Taylor between Rounds 7-12

This Saturday the undisputed Light Welterweight Champion Josh Taylor defends his belts in his native Scotland against undefeated Englishman Jack Catterall. Both men are southpaw boxers with bags of skill, but it’s hard to make a case for Catterall against one of the pound for pound best fighters on the plant. This article breaks down where the advantages are and how that might play out from a betting perspective.

Taylor and Catterall are both skilful operators but only Taylor has competed and been successful at the highest level. They share one decent opponent in O’Hara Davis and the difference in how their fight panned out demonstrates the difference in level between these two men. Taylor gave Davis a sustained beating from the off. He was aggressive and his variety of punching was too much for Davis, who eventually quit in the 7th rounds. In contrast, Catterall outpointed Davis in a very dull, cagey affair. Catterall likes to stay on the outside and box and he lacked the tools, aggression, or power to hurt Davis.

The trouble for Catterall in this bout is that he will not be able to just box Taylor at distance as he likes to. Taylor has more height, longer reach and better speed and accuracy in his punches. Taylor is also a more powerful puncher than Catterall: they both have 13 stoppage victories, but Catterall’s have come in 26 fights (50% KO record) whilst Taylor has 13 stoppages in just 18 fights (72%) against better overall opposition.

Taylor is also a multifaceted fighter, he has great footwork and accuracy and can box at range but he’s also a world class inside fighter as he’s demonstrated in his wins against Ramirez, Prograis and Baranchyk. Whilst Catterall is a good, skilful fighter he does not appear to have enough about him to truly trouble the Champion.

 It’s no surprise then that the best price available for Taylor is 1/10 with SBK and is as short as 1/20 in places. Therefore, value on Josh Taylor needs to be hunted out. Taylor is 4/6 to win by stoppage and 13/8 by decision. The 13/8 is appealing if you fancy Catterall to outperform his odds and give Taylor a bit more to think about than his odds suggest (and there is a reasonable chance of this). However, there are better prices out there for Taylor backers. Not least the 7/4 for Taylor to win in the second half of the fight with Sky Bet.

Catterall will look better than his odds suggest and there’s a good chance he will have enough skill to make the early rounds competitive. However, Taylor is an elite boxer and his accuracy and aggression will take it's toll. Taylor also possesses a real mean streak, he doesn’t go in the ring looking to just box his opponents, he looks to take them out. Back Taylor to take his time but eventually his class will show and put away Catterall in the second half of the fight.