Catterall vs Giyasov Predictions: ‘El Gato’ out to prove he’s a welter belter

Chorley’s world-ranked welterweight Jack Catterall returns opposite Shakhram Giyasov on Saturday, May 23. The Pyramids of Giza provide the unusual backdrop as these 147-pounders clash as chief support to Oleksandr Usyk vs Rico Verhoeven. The bout will be broadcast live on DAZN PPV and Ultimate.

Read on for my Catterall vs Giyasov predictions ahead of this 12-round welterweight tussle.

Catterall vs Giyasov Odds

‘El Gato’ is the favourite with the oddsmakers. You can get 4/11 on the Brit to prevail. Giyasov is marketed at 23/10 while the draw is available at 16/1.

Catterall vs Giyasov Fight Preview

This fight is for the vacant WBA ‘regular’ welterweight championship. A spurious designation that no one outside that confounding organisation takes seriously. In real terms, this is a final eliminator to fight Rolando Romero, the WBA ‘super’ champion and primary 147lb titlist.

But putting the belt to one side, this is a cracking collision. It is a brave take from Catterall, who was the WBO’s number-one contender until accepting this fight. The British star was supposedly on-course to face champion Devin Haney. 

But Catterall has played this game before. He was WBO number-one at super lightweight for over three years before his crack at then-champion Josh Taylor arrived. With Saturday’s prize equating to a shot at Romero’s proper title, Jack is taking a calculated risk against an unbeaten foe.

The aforementioned title tilt at Taylor was a paradox for Catterall. It was both his first professional defeat and his coming-out party on the big stage. 

Scotsman Taylor was the undisputed super lightweight champion, fighting in his own backyard of Glasgow. But Catterall dropped him, cut him and looked to have wrested his four-belt crown from atop his bloodied head. Two of the three scoring judges felt differently, with Taylor clinching a split decision that sparked a bitter rivalry.

Catterall won his next four fights, including a rematch victory over Taylor and dominant points nods over former world champions Jorge Linares and Regis Prograis. 

But an awkward night at the Co-op Arena in Manchester back in February of last year stalled his momentum. Catterall met a kindred spirit in the unconventional Arnold Barboza Jr, who scored the vacant WBO interim super lightweight crown on away soil via split decision.

‘El Gato’ had to watch while Barboza faced WBO and The Ring champion Teofimo Lopez, who dominated Jack’s conqueror. A cut-curtailed fight with Harlem Eubank in July 2025 brought a technical decision victory but did little to stir excitement around Catterall.

At the age of 32, some began to talk about Jack as yesterday’s man. My impression was that, while superbly skilled, the years-long fallout of the Taylor debacle had stymied his progress somewhat. But Catterall propelled himself back into title contention against an opponent Taylor himself knows all too well.

Ekow Essuman had shocked the boxing world with an energetic points victory over Taylor months earlier. ‘The Engine’ entered Tottenham Hotspur Stadium last November looking to take the soul of the other half of Britain’s most enduring modern rivalry. 

Instead, Essuman was beaten from pillar-to-post as Jack summoned an uncharacteristic stoppage win. It was a brutal statement of intent, with some frightening moments including Catterall knocking Essuman clean out of the ring. ‘The Engine’ was mercifully okay. ‘El Gato’ was back.

Giyasov is an interesting proposition. A phenomenal amateur representative of Uzbekistan, he won World Championship gold and Olympic silver in a distinguished unpaid career. As a pro, he is 17-0 with 10 knockouts. He was rocked in an early fight with Emanuel Taylor, but roared back to stop former world champion Darleys Perez in 30 seconds in his next outing. Giyasov also counts wins over veteran fringe contender Pablo Cesar Cano and world-ranked Harold Calderon among his achievements.

Giyasov’s infant daughter tragically passed away a year ago. It is a testament to his heart and his resolve that he is fighting on. The weight of such a loss is unbearable and, no matter Saturday’s result, it is the measure of the man that he is entering elite level competition following that devastating ordeal.

There is a lot of respect between the pair and a sporting contest is expected. Both are technically-minded and this may be a chess match. But with Catterall showing a mean streak in the impressive Essuman stoppage, one wonders if ‘El Gato’ will bare his claws again in Giza.

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Catterall vs Giyasov Prediction

Giyasov fights like a quintessential modern amateur-turned-pro. His potent jab is the bedrock, with counters favoured over all-out attacking raids. The man from Uzbekistan has a nice short right in close, but there are defensive holes for Catterall to exploit.

Opponents have had joy tagging ‘Wonder Boy' with right hands, taking advantage of the fact his left lever is often held low. This particularly favours southpaws like Jack. The Brit can win the battle of the leads if Giyasov doesn’t correct his shape early.

I can see this one evolving into a bit of a maul at times. Catterall is no stranger to holding. He had a point taken against Taylor for excessively clinching. Giyasov often punctuates his flurries by pulling his opponent’s head down. The referee will have to be on his game here.

I anticipate a messy, close and tense affair. The judges may be asked to split hairs, which will inspire nerves in the once-bitten Catterall’s camp. But I like the way the extra seven pounds hang on Jack. Welterweight looks like a good weight for him at 32 and I think that extra comfort will see him edge the exchanges and emerge with a points win at 4/7.

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