Jorge Linares is 38 and has lost three consecutive fights but his name carries weight.
That fact has served to add to the motivation of 140-pound contender Jack Catterall, who is scheduled to face Linares on Saturday at M&S Bank Arena in Liverpool, England (DAZN).
Also, the former three-division titleholder from Venezuela has been a thorn in the U.K.’s side: He’s 4-0 against British fighters, with victories over Kevin Mitchell, Anthony Crolla (twice) and Luke Campbell.
“When I was given the name Linares it kicked me into action,” Catterall said at a news conference Thursday, per the BBC. “… He’s an exciting name. He’s been there, done that and got the T-shirt.”
Catterall (27-1, 13 KOs) gave a strong performance in a disputed split-decision loss to then-titleholder Josh Taylor in February of last year, after which a proposed rematch failed to materialize. He
He ended up putting Darragh Foley down twice and easily outpointing him on May 27, his most recent fight.
The 30-year-old from Northern England is ranked in the Top 7 by all four major sanctioning bodies, which means another title shot could come soon if he continues to win.
“I set out in this sport to be world champion,” he said. “We’ve not achieved that yet but I do believe it’s in my ability. … [Linares] has had his time in the sun, now it’s my time.”
Meanwhile, Linares (47-8, 29 KOs) said his reunion with trainer Ismael Salas pumped life into his training camp. He insists he isn’t finished.
“This is different time, different day, different opponent. I’m coming to fight an undefeated fighter,” he said. “For me, he’s a world champion and he never lost the fight to Taylor.”
He went on: “I’m feeling like 20 years old,” he said. “I come from three losses but I don’t care too much as a lot happened in my life, this is not new.”
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