The fists didn’t start flying, but there were fireworks between undisputed welterweight world champion Josh Taylor and front-runner Jack Catterall. Taylor and Catterall will lock horns for all belts on Saturday night at OVO Hydro in Glasgow, Scotland, a short drive from Taylor’s hometown of Prestonpans.
In the bronze 10 featherweight event, Cuban star and two-time Olympic gold medalist, Robeisy Ramirez, will face Irish rival Eric Donovan. Ramirez has not fought in the UK since the 2012 London Olympics, where his first win at the Olympics took place.
Taylor-Catterall, Ramirez-Donovan and additional combat action to stream live and exclusive on ESPN+ in the US at 2 p.m. ET / 11 a.m. PT.
This is what the warriors had to say at Thursday’s press conference.
Josh Taylor
“Everybody has been starving overnight and things to do for the past two years. Not much happened. People have come in large numbers – the {arena} is sold out – and I have a lot of fans from the UK supporting me. I probably have more fans from England to support me than Jack who came to support him. It was a wonderful night. I can’t wait any longer.”
“It was Jack on Saturday. Next it’s his turn. He will have a beat Saturday, for which I will cook the dish. All I’m thinking about is Jack Catterall. He’s trying to take away what I’ve worked so hard to get. I cleaned up the part. He hit the jackpot in a fight. I will put him in his place on Saturday. ”
“He’s good. We’ll find out on Saturday, but he’s been in for a long night. A lengthy and painful methodical beatdown on Saturday.”
“I just don’t see any way he can beat me in this fight. I don’t know how he’s going to do it, but I’m prepared for anything. Whatever he brings, I am more than prepared for.”
Jack Catterall
“I was forced to have the WBO title. After two years of waiting, I now have the opportunity to grasp the undisputed. I’m not just up here to make numbers. I have been waiting two years for this opportunity.”
“I think the respect was there. Josh and I knew once the bell rang, the respect would be gone. We can shake hands later. We would punch each other in the head and it happened. ”
Robeisy Ramirez
“Scotland and the UK in general is a very special place for me. It is ingrained in my memory because I have fond memories of winning my first gold medal in London 2012. I want the fans to see the new Robeisy Ramirez and this new era in my professional career. my career. ”
“Of course I feel like I can replicate my amateur success as a professional. It was my only mission, not only to reproduce, but to be the best of what I did at the amateur level by winning the world championship. And if that means I have to fight in England, Asia or wherever I have to fight, I will. I got used to it. I’m on a mission to be world champion and prove that I’m going to be a better world pro than an amateur. ”
Eric Donovan
“It was a big night, probably the biggest night of my boxing career. I think it’s fair to say that. I had no illusions about how big the assignment would be, but when my manager, Mark Dunlop, introduced me to the opportunity, he didn’t have to ask me twice. I entered this game to prove myself and in the end when I look back on my career I want to be remembered as someone who fought great warriors and participated in great battles. And you can’t be better than a two-time Olympic gold medalist. I can’t wait for this, enjoy this opportunity. ”
Paddy Donovan
“{The fans} can expect a world-class performance. I believe I am one of the best prospects in the world in boxing right now. I want to be one of the best boxers in the history of Ireland, and it starts on Saturday night when I’m in that ring. I don’t believe any boxer in the world will beat me. I will beat any challenge in front of me”.
Kurt Walker
“I would love to be on this program. I’ve been camping for three months with Michael Conlan, so I’m in the camp he booked for his world championship fight {March 12 against Leigh Wood}. What a show. I am buzzing about it. ”
