The trainer who perhaps knows Jack Catterall and Ekow Essuman best has questioned the wisdom of Catterall replacing Jamie Moore with Derek “Bozy” Ennis ahead of Saturday’s must-win contest.
The welterweights fight at London’s Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on the undercard of the middleweight rematch between Chris Eubank Jnr and Conor Benn, in what represents the 32-year-old Catterall’s first fight since recruiting Ennis in the aftermath of his victory over Harlem Eubank in July.
Essuman, 36, was installed as Catterall’s opponent after the impressive victory over Josh Taylor that was earned while Joe McNally was in Taylor’s corner. Taylor has since retired and therefore ended the possibility of him fighting Catterall once again, but given Catterall’s finest win came in his rematch with Taylor in 2024 when McNally was again in the Scot’s corner, McNally is wary of the risk involved in him separating Moore – the trainer who led him to that win.
It remains to be seen how the in-demand, Philadelphia-based Ennis will attempt to guide Catterall, given that the 32-year-old is typically at his best on the back foot and that Ennis’ finest fighters are at their most effective when they seek to attack.
McNally, regardless, considers him the favorite for the all-British contest, but he is wary of the threat that Essuman can pose to him if Catterall doesn’t build a convincing lead and establish his rhythm during the first six rounds.
“The patience, the intelligence and the IQ of Jack – he hits a lot harder than people give him credit for,” the trainer told BoxingScene. “If he can control the pace of the fight and nullify Ekow’s work rate, he can walk him on to his left hand and make him pay for his mistakes.
“Ekow is not the cleverest [boxer] – his asset is his endurance and his volume of punching. Contrary to that, you’ve also got Jack’s emigrated to the US; he’s left Moore; I don’t think it was the best decision. Stylistically, have they got Jack right? Do they know what buttons to press when he’s uncomfortable in there? Only fight night will show.
“Ekow can be the kryptonite to Catterall if it goes past six rounds and Catterall’s struggling to keep him off. If he’s on his chest, making him work and putting him out of his comfort zone, can he pick up the rounds on volume punching alone? Is [Catterall] a little bit past it? I thought he looked a little bit shopworn against Taylor, contrary to coming away with the victory.
“Catterall showed me a lot in the fight with Taylor – it was a very close decision win he had with Josh; Josh could have got it – but I think he’s a fantastic fighter.”
Asked what he considers Catterall’s greatest strength, McNally responded: “His patience. But he sometimes has an unwillingness to engage, and he can be clumsy on the front foot.
“Essuman’s biggest strength is his fitness. He can force a high tempo but he lacks variety and speed.
“I expect Catterall to win on points, but he might even win by stoppage.”
