Fifteenth of November at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in North London. Co-main event to Eubank Jr. vs. Benn II live on DAZN. 12 rounds scheduled at welterweight...said to be an eliminator for a (yet-unspecified) world title. Common opponents: Josh Taylor - defetaed Catterall via SD12 in 2022 and lost to him in their rematch via UD12 in 2024. Lost to Essuman via UD12 in May of this year. Tyrone Nurse - lost to Catterall via UD12 in 2017, and lost to Essuman via MD10 in 2019. Kevin McCauley - lost to Essuman via UD4 in 2017, and to Catterall via KO1 in 2018.
Early on Catterall will pick him off at distance, but as the fight progresses and Catterall tires Ekou will close the distance ever more effectively, and Ekou's work will get correspondingly more effective. IMO the outcome of the fight depends on when that tipping point comes; if it comes around the halfway point or earlier then I would back Essuman, but if it comes a few rounds later then Catterall probably holds on to get the decision.
I've sworn never to watch another Catterall fight. Hin and The Human Octopus Okolie are permanently off my radar screen
I'm interested to see what Bozy can do with Catterall but I think it's too little too late. He's too ingrained in his ways as a spoiler to start opening up offensively, especially at a new weight-class against a credible opponent. I really hope Essuman wins though, since I really like his style and he comes across as a really good guy in interviews and press-conferences. I saw him live against Taylor and was very impressed with how smart he was with his pressure. If he can employ the same strategy to Catterall, then I reckon I fancy his chances.
Same here. I remember his fight with Taylor as the only time I’ve ever been satisfied with a bad decision due to Catterall fighting like a spoiling ***** and his poor sportsmanship.