Press Conference:
Jack Catterall vs Jorge Linares With Eddie Hearn!
(September 18th) The countdown to October 21 in Liverpool is on! Eddie Hearn hosts a virtual ePress Conference with our two main event fighters Jack Catterall and Jorge Linares plus their management Sam Jones and Roberto Diaz. The winner will be looking to push on to World honours next!
Super-Lightweight World Title challenger Jack Catterall defends his WBA Intercontinental Title against multi-weight World Champion Jorge Linares at the M&S Bank Arena Liverpool on Saturday October 21, live worldwide on DAZN.
As the countdown continues towards this intriguing 140lbs crossroads clash, Matchroom Sport Chairman Eddie Hearn hosted a special ePress Conference with both main event fighters and their management Sam Jones and Roberto Diaz.
Catterall (27-1, 13 KOs) is determined to make up for lost time and challenge for gold at 140lbs once again following his hugely controversial loss to former undisputed Super-Lightweight World Champion Josh Taylor back in February 2022.
former Featherweight, Super-Featherweight and Lightweight World Champion Linares (47-8, 29 KOs) wants to throw his name into the mix in the thriving 140lbs division by keeping his 100% winning record in the UK intact and ruining Catterall's chance of World Title action in his next fight.
Eddie Hearn, Matchroom Sport Chairman:
“October 21st in Liverpool, the M&S Bank Arena, an intriguing 140lbs clash – Jack Catterall against Jorge Linares, all set, live and exclusive around the world on DAZN. I’m joined by Jack Catterall, Jorge Linares and their respective mangers Sam Jones and Roberto Diaz as well. This is a great fight. Jorge Linares has been to the UK many times. We’ve never managed to beat him, yet. But this time he’s coming for what might be described as a final roll of the dice in the big-time fights at 140lbs. The training that we’ve seen and the intensity that we’ve seen from him is that of a very hungry fighter. Jack Catterall, a man who many feel should be the undisputed 140lbs Champion of the World, a chance to fight a big name on the big stage before he goes into what he hopes to be World Championship fights in 2024.”
Jack Catterall:
“First of all I’d like to thank Eddie, Robert and Linares for the opportunity. I got the call quite some weeks ago now for this fight. I said to Sam straight away, ‘sign me up!’ I’m not in boxing to be fighting guys that want to come and roll over and build up a record. I want to test myself and see how good I can be in the sport of boxing. I’m excited. I’ve seen Linares and his training videos – he seems very motivated and that excites me, it makes me go to the gym and work extra hard. Like Linares said, we want to make a beautiful fight. But not only that, I want to come away victorious. I think we all know Linares is a future Hall of Famer and I wouldn’t show the disrespect to any opponent by talking about any other fights right now. I said to Sam and the team around me, we don’t talk about any fights – it’s 100% focus on Linares. We pay him that respect and we train hard to win that fight on October 21st. I think that’s why the fight is exciting – Linares has been over to our turf, my turf, and always picked up the victories. I’m next up now to defend our turf and pick up the win.”
Sam Jones, Manager of Jack Catterall: “I’ve had the opportunity to spend a lot of time with Jorge in his camps and I know how hard he trains, how hard he works. I know people judge him off his defeats, he had defeats earlier on in his career and I know how that motivated him. I know him personally. I know what type of person he is, I know how hard he trains. Usually, I can antagonise opponents and all of that but I can’t do that with Jorge because I have too much respect for him. He’s one of the best people I’ve ever met, he’s a legend. I just think in boxing it’s about timing. Jack reminds me a bit of how Linares trains. A demon, focused, lives well, clean life, trains very hard and I just think the old lion and the young lion – I think it's Jack Catterall’s time. I think he’s the best 140lbs fighter in the world, but a motivated and hungry Linares is a problem for any fighter in the world. I have whole heaps of respect for him and I know he's coming to bring it. As soon as I hear he was going back to Salas to train, I knew this was game on! This is a real fight. The connection they have together is fantastic. I know Salas wouldn’t let Linares box I he thought he was finished. This fight is going to be electric – 100%”
Jorge Linares: “I feel happy. I’m trying to take care of myself. All of the time, inside the gym and outside of the gym. I try to have a very comfortable life. I was in Japan for 20 years. The life in Japan is totally different to life in the United States and also Latin America, that’s why I look like this. Thank you to you Eddie, thank you to Jack and to Sam and Roberto Diaz again for this amazing opportunity to come back to the UK because you know my story there. I had amazing fighters there three times. This is an amazing dream for me. I always wanted to go back to the UK to make another amazing fight with the best 135lbs or 140lbs fighter. The best option was Jack Catterall. The motivation that I have right now is the same it was seven or eight years ago. This is the moment. This is the most important fight. I want to make an amazing show for the people to enjoy, and to enjoy myself. We’re going to make a beautiful fight. This is the most difficult fight of my life. I need to win this fight. I feel like I’m a World Champion right now. I need to come to the UK to defend all my belts. This is the responsibility that I have right now, the pressure that I have right now. This time is different because I come from a loss. After this fight something big is coming for me. That’s why it’s very important for me to win this fight.”
Roberto Diaz, manager of Jorge Linares: “Thank you so much Eddie. I want to thank everyone at Matchroom, thank everybody at DAZN, thank team Jack Catterall for this opportunity. It’s a great opportunity. Everybody knows that Jorge Linares is coming to the point where retirement is near. However, I’ve known him for 20 years and what he’s showing me right now is a great motivation – that last hurrah. That’s the Jorge Linares I know. That’s the Jorge that’s been to the UK three times and three times he’s beaten the British fighters. We have all respect to this man (Jack Catterall), he should be undefeated, he should be undisputed and that’s why Jorge said, ‘I don’t just want to fight anybody, I’ve always fought the best, I’m going to continue fighting the best, I want to fight the best at 140lbs and I want to go and give it another run’. Come October 21st you don’t want to miss it. A legendary fighter like Jorge Linares is back in the UK and we’re going for four. Four and 0. With all due respect this young man (Jack Catterall) should be undefeated, but will be defeated October 21st.”
Catterall vs. Linares tops of huge night of action on Merseyside, Liverpool amateur sensation turned 7-0 (5 KOs) Super-Bantamweight prospect Peter McGrail fights for his first professional title when he faces unbeaten Colombian Fran Mendoza for the vacant WBA Continental Title, Oldham’s unbeaten Super-Featherweight contender Aqib Fiaz (12-0, 1 KO) kicks off live the live broadcast with what promises to be an electric match-up against Watford’s Reece Bellotti (16-5, 13 KOs) for the vacant Commonwealth Title - with the fight doubling up as a British Title Final Eliminator, Stoke’s undefeated Super-Bantamweight slickster Shabaz Masoud (11-0, 4 KOs) fights for the first time as a Matchroom fighter after singing a multi-fight deal with Eddie Hearn in June - putting his WBA Intercontinental title on the line against Colombia’s Jose Sanmartin (34-7-1, 21 KOs), Chester’s Paddy Lacey (8-0, 1 KO) returns to action as he takes on Heysham’s Owen Kirk (3-1-2), Hyde Super-Lightweight Campbell Hatton (13-0, 5 KOs) sees action for the fifth time this year after outpointing Tom Ansell on the undercard of Joshua vs. Helenius last month, Bolton's Khaleel Majid (11-0, 3 KOs) looks to build on his points win in Birmingham, Leicester Super-Bantamweight Muhammad Ali (3-0, 1 KO) looks to go 4-0, Manchester Super-Welterweight William Crolla (1-0) fights for the second time as a pro and 'El Terrier' Jack Turner (2-0, 2 KOs) fights in his home city for the first time.
Tickets for Catterall vs. Linares are priced £40, £60, £100, £150 and £250 (VIP)
and available to purchase via Stage Front NOW.
Liverpool’s Decorated Amateur Sensation Peter McGrail Goes For First Pro Title Against Unbeaten Fran Mendoza October 21st On The Jack Catterall vs Jorge Linares Bill Live On DAZN From The M&S Bank Arena, Liverpool!
(August 22nd) Liverpool amateur sensation turned 7-0 (5 KOs) Super-Bantamweight prospect Peter McGrail will fight for his first professional title on Saturday October 21 when he faces unbeaten Colombian Fran Mendoza for the vacant WBA Continental Title on the undercard of Jack Catterall’s Super-Lightweight clash with multi-weight World Champion Jorge Linares at the M&S Bank Arena, shown live worldwide on DAZN.
One of Merseyside's most decorated amateur boxers, McGrail, who trains out of the renowned Everton Red Triangle Gym on Albion Street under Paul Stevenson, made his highly anticipated professional debut on Matchroom’s sold-out Liam Smith vs. Anthony Fowler show at the M&S Bank Arena back in October 2021, comfortably outpointing Ed Harrison over six rounds to kick off life in the paid ranks with a win.
He returned to the arena two months later for his second fight on the undercard of the sold-out Conor Benn vs. Chris Algieri and Katie Taylor vs. Firuza Sharipova double-header, earning his first stoppage win without a vest by halting Nicaragua’s Engel Gomez in just two rounds.
The 27-year-old made his promotional debut as a Matchroom fighter back in March on the undercard of Diego Pacheco’s four-round demolition of Jack Cullen, decisioning Argentina’s Nicolas Nahuel Botelli over ten rounds.
Mendoza, who resides in Spain, has won all seventeen of his professional contests since turning over in July 2018, with seven of those winning coming via stoppage, and the 26-year-old will be the first undefeated opponent McGrail has faced so far in his promising professional career.
Stoke’s undefeated Super-Bantamweight slickster Shabaz Masoud (11-0, 4 KOs) fights for the first time as a Matchroom fighter after singing a multi-fight deal with Eddie Hearn in June, putting his WBA Intercontinental title on the line against Colombia’s Jose Sanmartin (34-7-1, 21 KOs).
Oldham’s unbeaten Super-Featherweight contender Aqib Fiaz (12-0, 1 KO) kicks off live the live broadcast with what promises to be an electric match-up against Watford’s Reece Bellotti (16-5, 13 KOs) for the vacant Commonwealth Title, with the fight doubling up as a British Title Final Eliminator.
Chester’s Paddy Lacey (8-0, 1 KO) returns to action as he takes on Heysham’s Owen Kirk (3-1-2), Hyde Super-Lightweight Campbell Hatton (13-0, 5 KOs) sees action for the fifth time this year after outpointing Tom Ansell on the undercard of Joshua vs. Helenius earlier this month and Bolton's Khaleel Majid (11-0, 3 KOs) looks to build on his points win in Birmingham over the weekend.
Jack Catterall Faces Multi-Weight World Champion
And Venezuelan Legend Jorge Linares
At The M&S Bank Arena Liverpool
On Saturday October 21st, Live Worldwide On DAZN!
(August 4th) Super-Lightweight World Title challenger Jack Catterall will defends his WBA Intercontinental Title against multi-weight World Champion Jorge Linares at the M&S Bank Arena Liverpool on Saturday October 21, live worldwide on DAZN.
Catterall (27-1, 13 KOs) is determined to make up for lost time and challenge for gold at 140lbs once again following his hugely controversial loss to former undisputed Super-Lightweight World Champion Josh Taylor back in February 2022.
'El Gato' is itching to get back in the ring with the 'Tartan Tornado' and avenge his only loss, and the Chorley fighter has also targeted the winner of the muted fight between Devin Haney and Regis Prograis should he get past Venezuela's Linares.
The 30-year-old southpaw ended a 15 month ring absence by widely outpointing Darragh Foley over ten-rounds on the undercard of Leigh Wood's WBA Featherweight World Title win over Mauricio Lara at Manchester Arena in May.
Linares (47-8, 29 KOs) is well-known in the UK following his tenth-round stoppage win over Kevin Mitchell at The O2 in London back in May 2015 and his two points wins over former Lightweight World Champion Anthony Crolla at Manchester Arena in 2016 and 2017.
The former Featherweight, Super-Featherweight and Lightweight World Champion wants to throw his name into the mix in the thriving 140lbs division by keeping his 100% winning record in the UK intact and ruining Catterall's chance of World Title action in his next fight.
"It is an honour to share a ring with Jorge Linares," said Catterall. "I’ve watched him come over to the UK on three occasions and win three times. He is a legend of the game and this is a must-win fight for the both of us for very different reasons.
"There is talk of a huge fight for me after this but it’ll count for nothing if I take my eye off the ball - which I can’t afford to do at this stage of my career. It’s no secret my career has lacked momentum, so after boxing in May and now October I genuinely believe you’ll see the best version of me on October 21."
"October 21 I'm back in the UK," said Linares. "I'm full of emotion and ready to give everybody a spectacular performance against a tremendous opponent Jack Catterall. I just want everyone to know that I'm ready to give Jack a great boxing lesson and to continue making history in the UK. The last Samurai is back, stronger than ever."
"Another massive fight announced as we return to the M&S Bank Arena in Liverpool for Jack Catterall vs. Jorge Linares on Saturday October 21," said Matchroom Sport Chairman Eddie Hearn. "Jack is active and firing on all cylinders, looking to make a statement against multi-weight World Champion and future Hall of Famer Jorge Linares.
"Jack wants the rematch with bitter rival Josh Taylor or the winner of Devin Haney vs. Regis Prograis if that fight gets over the line, but he can't take his eye off the ball here. Jorge returns to these shores looking to make it four wins from four fights in the UK after his epic fights with Kevin Mitchell and Anthony Crolla twice. He's made it clear that this is his last big roll of the dice and he is already deep into camp training like a machine. The big fights keep on coming, live around the world on DAZN."
"There’s not many people I respect more than Jorge Linares," said Sam Jones. "He is a great friend of mine whom I’ve spent a lot of time with. He’s a true professional and a legend of the sport. There’s talk of a massive fight after this but it counts for nothing if Jack over looks Jorge, which he won’t do. Friendship will be put aside for this fight as it’s a must-win for both for very different reasons."
"I want to thank Eddie Hearn and all of Matchroom for another go around with Linares in the UK," said Robert Diaz. "Always lots of love and respect for the greatest boxing fans but once again we will make the trip to spoil the party. Jorge is undefeated in the UK and we intend to keep it that way."
"Another cracker to add to our autumn schedule with more to come”, said Alfie Sharman, VP, DAZN. “Jack has been desperate to compete on the world stage again and a statement win over Jorge Linares will set up some huge fights in 2024. Tune in October 21 to watch live and exclusive only on DAZN."
About DAZN Group
DAZN Group is one of the fastest growing sports media companies in the world. Headquartered in the UK and with employees in over 25 countries, our businesses touch every aspect of the way fans engage with sports; from production, through to content distribution and commercialization. DAZN Group is home to DAZN, the leading global sport destination, as well as the popular sport portal, DAZN News. DAZN is leading the charge to give sports fans around the world access to sport anytime, anywhere. DAZN guarantees affordable access on most connected devices including smart TVs, set-top boxes, streaming sticks, smartphones, tablets, PCs and game consoles. DAZN is now live in more than 200 countries and territories after first launching in Germany, Austria, Switzerland and Japan in 2016.
DAZN is a leading digital sports platform in Italy, Spain, Germany, Belgium, Portugal, Japan, Canada, US and the UK. Its wide range of exclusive content includes top-flight football from the world’s most popular competitions – Bundesliga, English Premier League, J.League, LaLiga, Serie A, and the UEFA Champions League, in addition to the biggest sports from around the world - Formula 1, NFL, NBA, MotoGP and the UFC.
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About Matchroom Boxing
After the success of snooker in the 1980s, Matchroom Sport moved into boxing with two small hall shows followed by Frank Bruno v Joe Bugner at Tottenham Hotspur’s ground – the biggest boxing event of 1987. That launched the company into the boxing big-time, a position it has maintained ever since.
Through the 1990s Matchroom Sport’s boxing roster featured many of the biggest names in the sport including Lennox Lewis, Nigel Benn, Chris Eubank, Steve Collins and Naseem Hamed, all in world title fights and it continues to work with some of the biggest names in UK boxing including Audley Harrison, the 2000 Olympic Super-Heavyweight gold medalist.
Over the years, Matchroom Sport has built up long-standing relationships with broadcasters around the world and with the advent of the Prizefighter phenomenon, the company’s boxing division has never been in a stronger position.
From fantastic six round scraps between the sport’s journeymen, up to multi-million-dollar World Championship contests featuring the above fighters, the Pro Box series has it all. Each show is packed with the very best in boxing action in a series that encompasses almost 25 years of Matchroom Sport’s commitment to bringing the highest quality to the global television market.
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