JACK IS BACK
Daniel Herbert wonders if Catterall can regain momentum
CHORLEY southpaw Jack Catterall looks to get back on track after a slow year when he fights Timo Schwarzkopf in a 10-rounder on the D4G Promotions bill at Caesars Palace Bluewaters Dubai on Friday (November 22). Broadcasters are IFL TV (UK) and ESPN+ (US).
In 2018 the world-ranked superlightweight scored two good WBO Inter-continental title victories over Tyrone Mckenna and Ohara Davies, but so far this year he has boxed only once, a third-round knockout of Nicaraguan journeyman Oscar Amador.
Catterall, 24-0 (13), needs to regain momentum – and should do so against Schwarzkopf, a Kosovo-born German whose 20-3 (12) record shows he tends to lose when he steps up in class.
Schwarzkopf, 28, has been outpointed by Sweden’s former European 140lbs champion Anthony Yigit and South African fringe welter contender Chris Van Heerden in 10-rounders, as well as in a six by Gift Bholo, although he knocked out Van Heerden’s compatriot in the seventh of a return. The German can punch a bit, but Catterall has a sound chin to back up his skills, which makes him favourite to win clearly on points.
Another 10-rounder, at supermiddleweight, pits 11-0 (8) Indian hopeful Vijender Singh against 42-yearold Ghanaian veteran Charles Adamu, 33-14 (26), who lost a Commonwealth title fight to Carl Froch way back in 2004. Singh, 34 but a late starter in the pro game, can win a clear decision.
West Rainton’s world-rated superbantam Thomas Patrick Ward, 28-0 (4), keeps busy with an eight-rounder against Mexico’s Martin Casillas, whose 20-11-1 (10) ledger includes distance losses to Luis Nery and Emanuel Navarrete.