Ohara Davies vs Jack Catterall: Domestic 50/50 leads a transatlantic weekend in boxing

Boxing on TV: Britain's Callum Johnson and Gavin McDonnell both challenge for world titles in Chicago in the early hours of this morning

Daniel Dubois faces veteran Kevin Johnson (Getty)

As Conor McGregor, one half of the biggest boxing fight of 2017, competes in a huge Mixed-Martial Arts bout tonight, the sport he dabbled with, but couldn’t master also has plenty of intriguing bouts to enjoy this evening.

Okay, Leicester and Chicago can’t quite live up to Las Vegas in terms of glamour, but that just makes tonight’s entertainment all the more enticing. In the Midlands, Jack Catterall and Ohara Davies meet in a true crossroads clash, while on the other side of the Atlantic, Callum Johnson attempts to finalise one of the most unlikely sports stories of the year against Russian sensation Artur Beterbiev.

Let’s start in Leicester with a main event that is becoming increasingly rare for a non-pay-per-view event, as two domestic stars battle for opportunity and rewards against each other.

Chorley’s Jack Catterall is an undefeated fighter with plenty to prove, and he gets the chance tonight against Ohara Davies, who has firmly established a questionable reputation as one of the most controversial figures in British boxing.

Jack Catterall puts his undefeated record on the line against Ohara Davies (Getty)

Davies emerged with a number of dominant performances in 2015 and 2016 against fairly ordinary opposition. Soon though, it was his mouth that drew attention rather than his boxing skills. Some fighters will talk trash to sell a fight, or even to sell themselves.

For Davies, it seemed to be his default personality, as nonsensical comments were teamed with insensitive and irrelevant insults that wouldn’t look out of place in a Quentin Tarantino script

All seemed rosy until he was spectacularly brought down to earth by Scottish star Josh Taylor last year. Davies was sickenly obnoxious in the build-up and entered the ring to the sound of The Undertaker’s iconic WWE theme, but it was he who would end up resting in pieces after being outclassed and stopped by Taylor.

There is no disgrace in losing to a fighter the calibre of Josh Taylor, but it was the manner of the defeat that should worry the dozen fans of the Londoner.

Yes, Davies was suffering through waves of attacks that would have felled many a tough boxer, but his bottle went as he literally turned himself away from Taylor. Was that a one-off anomaly or a pattern-builder ? Can Davies truly withstand the pressure he creates, or will he fold when shaken once again?

Jack Catterall is the perfect man to help answer those questions. The 25-year-old had a quiet start to his professional career, but rumours began to emerge of his talent after sparring sessions with Floyd Mayweather and Canelo Alvarez.

Spurred on by those training successes, Catterall destroyed the previously undefeated Thomas Stalker in his tenth fight and has subsequently beaten the likes of Tyrone Nurse and Tyrone McKenna.

Quiet outside of the ring, Catterall’s biggest weakness inside of it could be that he can appear uninterested at times during fights. Despite his many skills, his occasional languid style can get him into trouble, and he seems to be reticent in using the full-force of his power at times too.

If Davies starts fast and establishes a rhythm, can Catterall adjust his style and find a way out? That is the key question in this fight. Will Catterall find a way early to combat the long-limbs and unorthodox style of Davies? Or can his opponent avoid the infrequent attacks, set up his jab and move towards a points victory?

Even putting aside the animosity between both men, this would be a joyous fight to watch, but the unease adds to the tension and the unpredictability of the contest, which will be supported by a good undercard in Leicester.

Nicola Adams challenges for her first world title (Getty)

Hometown star and British super featherweight champion Sam Bowen takes on Horacio Alfredo Cabral, while Nicola Adams takes a step up in competition against Isabel Millan.

Exciting British heavyweight Daniel Dubois will look to warm up to a future bout with Nathan Gorman by taking out Kevin Johnson, with Leon Woodstock, Archie Sharp, Mark Heffron and Ryan Garner also in action.

The boxing action then turns to Chicago where two British boxers are attempting to win world titles away from home. With all due respect to Gavin McDonnell who fights for the WBA super bantamweight title against Daniel Roman, the romantic story sees light heavyweight Callum Johnson face IBF champion Artur Beterbiev.

At 33-years-old, Callum Johnson is not a rookie, a prodigy or one for the future. He’s a grown man who has a lived a tough life and faced heartbreak and disappointment along the way. In 2010, he claimed a gold medal at the Commonwealth Games before turning professional later that year with Prince Naseem Hamed as his hypeman.

And then… nothing. Really. Across eight years, Johnson has fought – and won – all 17 of his fights. Prior to his bout against Frank Buglioni for the British title in March, he was the forgotten man of the light heavyweight division despite holding the Commonwealth crown at the time.

It speaks of his quality though that despite his enforced absence from the ring, the bookmakers couldn’t split him and the far more active Buglioni before the bell sounded. Less than three minutes later, it was clear that the bookies had been right. Johnson tore through Buglioni and finally won the British title he had promised his late father.

Boxing works in mysterious ways. For many, despite all the advantages and luck, a world title opportunity will never materialise. And yet some sneak through the back door and earn their moment in the sun against all the odds. Callum Johnson is one of those athletes. Yes, he’s a talented boxer, with strong fundamentals, power and desire.

Callum Johnson knocked out Frank Buglioni in one round (Getty)

But he’s also boxed just 12 rounds in three years and is coming across one of the heaviest hitters in the world. Artur Beterbiev, another amateur star, has suffered from a similar level of inactivity as Johnson, but did become IBF champion in just his eleventh fight last November.

The 33-year-old Russian has stopped all 12 of his opponents since turning professional five years ago, although a series of injuries and postponements have cooled his hype significantly. A win against Johnson won’t bring him into the upper echelons of boxing, but it will reignite a potentially stalling career.

Beterbiev is a significant betting favourite this time around, though Johnson is ignoring the odds. His Russian opponent has shown vulnerability when attacking in previous bouts, and Johnson proved against Buglioni that he has the ability to swarm and destroy in the opening stages of fights.

We simply don’t know how good Johnson is, which makes this fight all the more intoxicating. Two huge punchers with plenty to prove and a willing audience wanting the best possible action should make for a mouth-watering contest.

Let’s just hope we don’t all fall asleep watching Gavin McDonnell first.