Jack Catterall confident he will have too much for Tyrone McKenna in Belfast

Jack Catterall is confident he will have too much for Tyrone McKenna in Belfast on Saturday night.
Jack Catterall celebrates victory in Leeds last time out in MayJack Catterall celebrates victory in Leeds last time out in May
Jack Catterall celebrates victory in Leeds last time out in May
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The pair have sparred in the past and former British champion Catterall believes he will come out on top against the home favourite and move a step closer to a shot at world honours.

“I have watched Tyrone a few times,” said Catterall, 21-0 with 12 knockouts.

“He’s a tall southpaw with a long reach.

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“We have a gameplan, we’ve been working on things and have brought in sparring partners who can replicate things that Tyrone can do.

“But I’m confident I’ll have too much in every department for him.

“We only did the one spar last year and you can’t take too much from it but what I do know is that it gave me a little bit of confidence.”

Jack Catterall celebrates victory in Leeds last time out in MayJack Catterall celebrates victory in Leeds last time out in May
Jack Catterall celebrates victory in Leeds last time out in May

After two first-round wins in 2018, in Preston in March and at Leeds United’s Elland Road in May, Catterall stepped in to face McKenna after original foe Phil Sutcliffe Jnr pulled out for a second time.

“I was made up with it really,” said the 24-year-old.

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“Tyrone’s a really good fighter and for both of our careers it made sense.

“He is undefeated and I want to be in good fights that will be remembered.

Tyrone McKennaTyrone McKenna
Tyrone McKenna

“It didn’t take two seconds for me to take it.

“My management had said they were going to try and get me out before the season finished so in my mind I knew there was going to be a fight.

“I had a couple of days off after Leeds, was back in the gym and got the call.

“I’ve had four-and-a-half weeks and it’s plenty of time.”

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Catterall is no stranger to winning big fights on the road having seen off amateur star Tom Stalker in Liverpool and won the British title from Huddersfield’s Tyrone Nurse in Leeds.

He will get some insider info in Northern Ireland thanks to stablemate and Belfast star Carl Frampton, another member of Jamie Moore’s VIP Gym in Astley.

“Belfast will be new but I’ve no issue whatsoever with travelling,” Catterall said.

“If anything, it will spur me on. Tyrone will have the crowd behind him, he’s going to be well up for it but I think that will only reflect in my performance and bring the best out of me.”

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McKenna may be the firm favourite with the home crowd but Catterall won’t be without support on the night.

“There’s quite a few local people heading over to Belfast,” he said.

“Everyone who turns out for my fights over here is going even with the short notice.

“It can be hard sorting flights, plans and everything that goes with that but I’ve got quite good support going over there.”