Floyd Mayweather and Canelo Alvarez are credited with being two of boxing’s modern greats, but in the eyes of a shared former sparring partner, Jack Catterall, there is one active fighter who trumps them both as ‘the best he has shared the ring with’.
Last month, Catterall decisioned Shakhram Giyasov to get his hands on the WBA Regular welterweight world title; a win which he hopes will tee up a showdown for a shot at super champion, Rolando Romero.
Catterall, who boasts wins over both Josh Taylor and Regis Prograis, had been preparing for world level far before he arrived, sharing the ring with Mayweather and Canelo in the past.
In 2015, the Chorley operator was brought in as one of many sparring partners for Mayweather ahead of his long-awaited mega-fight with Manny Pacquiao. Then, just days later, Catterall ventured to San Diego to help Canelo prepare for his bout against James Kirkland.
Yet, speaking with Pro Boxing Fans, Catterall claimed to be more impressed by former stablemate Jaron Ennis, whom he expects to halt Xander Zayas when challenging for the unified super-welterweight world titles later this month.
“I would go as far as saying that he is one of… the best fighter that I have sparred or been in the ring with; the speed, the power, the timing, the footwork.
“So, I am excited for that fight. I am going to try and make the trip over there and support him. I think that it is a good night’s work for him.
“I believe [that he will stop Zayas].”
Ennis established himself as the leading welterweight of the post-Terence Crawford era, unifying the IBF and WBA world titles before moving up to 154lbs in search of further championships.
He faces on Zayas on June 27 at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York, as Ennis seeks to capture the unified titles.
