Catterall vs Linares Prediction: El Gato to get title bid back on track

We have another Betfred-sponsored fight night taking place on Saturday evening, when Jack Catterall defends his WBA Intercontinental super-lightweight title against multi-weight world champion Jorge Linares in Liverpool. We’ve analysed the fight and given you our betting predictions for the event. 

You have to feel for Chorley’s Jack Catterall. His career has hit a bit of a roadblock (27-1(13KO)) after the controversial defeat to Josh Taylor in February 2022.

Whilst he should have been world champion and be able to call his own shots, instead he spent months trying to sort out a rematch, before Taylor decided to take on Teofimo Lopez instead and leave ‘El Gato’ out in the cold.

The 30-year-old had a regulation win over Darragh Foley in May but this is his first proper fight towards getting back to where he feels he belongs – at World Championship level.

Standing in his way is one of the modern greats in Jorge Linares (47-8(29KO)), a man who has multiple world titles at featherweight, super-feather and lightweight and at 38-years-old is surely in the final throes of his career. Another loss to Catterall on Saturday and it’s time to say ‘adios’ to the Venezuelan legend.

Where and when is the fight taking place?

The fight is happening at the Echo Arena in Liverpool, on Saturday 21st October and will be broadcast live and exclusively on DAZN in the UK.

The event is an Eddie Hearn promotion for Matchroom Boxing, with the show starting at 6pm and the main ring walk due to take place at around 10pm UK time.

What does the full fight card look like?

• MAIN EVENT: Jack Catterall vs Jorge Linares
• Campbell Hatton vs Jamie Sampson
• Aqib Fiaz vs Reece Bellot
• Peter McGrail vs Fran Mendoza
• Shabaz Masoud vs Jose Sanmartin
• Khaleel Majid vs Tom Farrell
• Paddy Lacey vs Owen Kirk
• Muhammad Mustafa Ali vs Giulio Commerso
• William Crolla vs Martin Shaw
• Jack Turner vs Adam Yahaya

(subject to change)

Who’s the favourite?

Betfred have Catterall as a huge 1/9 favourite, with Linares a 13/2 shot, with the draw at 18/1.

What’s been said?

Anthony Crolla met with Dom McGuinness on Betfred’s Lightweight Boxing show to break down how the fight might go down. He thinks Catterall will win on points.

Fight promoter Eddie Hearn hosted a ‘virtual’ press conference with both fighters.

“My objective in boxing isn’t to easily build up a record, but to challenge myself against the best. Linares’ motivation is evident from his training videos, which spurs me on to work even harder.

We both aim to give the fans an exhilarating fight, but my ultimate goal is to triumph. Recognising Linares’ impending Hall of Fame induction, it’s only right to show respect and not discuss future fights now.

My team and I remain focused solely on defeating Linares and honouring his reputation by training diligently for our October 21st contest.”

Jack Catterall

“I feel happy (at 38), i look after myself, I eat clean. I’m grateful to come back to the UK, you know my story there.

This is an amazing opportunity to fight best in the UK at 140 in front of a big crowd

The motivation I have now is the same as 7/8 years ago and I can add to my legacy on this amazing show”

Jorge Linares

Catterall to win on points – 1/9

Jorge Linares is one of my favourite fighters of the last 10 years and he has a beautiful boxing style, throwing sharp, clean combinations.

However, this is not the same Linares as the one that fought so memorably against Kevin Mitchell, Anthony Crolla and Luke Campbell.

Catterall is a big, strong super-lightweight and he is extremely quick and agile himself.

I expect him to dominate Linares after some early success for the Venezuelan and then play with him in the second half of the fight.

I wouldn’t be hugely shocked if Jack stopped him but I think it will probably go the distance.

Enjoy the fight!

*All prices correct at the time of writing.