'It's my time' - Catterall confident of beating Linares

Catterall (left) has won 27 fights and lost one, while Linares has won 47 and lost eight

Jack Catterall said opponent Jorge Linares "has had his time in the sun" as he looks to end the Venezuelan's unbeaten streak against British fighters.

Three-weight champion Linares is on a three-fight losing streak but has beaten all five Britons he has faced.

"When I was given the name Linares it kicked me into action," Catterall said.

Speaking at Thursday's news conference at Mountford Hall in Liverpool, Catterall added: "He's an exciting name. He's been there, done that and got the T-shirt."

Catterall returns to the ring after dominating Darragh Foley in May, dropping the Australian twice in recording a unanimous points victory.

The Chorley fighter is looking to navigate his way back towards a world-title shot after the contentious loss to Scotsman Josh Taylor in February 2022.

'El Gato' lost on a split decision when he challenged for Taylor's WBA, WBC, WBO and IBF light-welterweight titles.

It caused a stir in the boxing world, with fans, fighters and pundits feeling Catterall was the clear winner and should have become the first Englishman to become undisputed champion in the four-belt era.

"I set out in this sport to be world champion. We've not achieved that yet but I do believe it's in my ability," Catterall said, adding: "[Linares] has had his time in the sun, now it's my time."

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Matchroom Boxing promoter Eddie Hearn added: "The winner of this fight will be in a mega-fight at [light-welterweight]."

Linares has enjoyed great success in a career spanning 21 years and is well known to British fans for his wins over Kevin Mitchell, Luke Campbell and twice against Anthony Crolla, all in world-title fights.

"He's broken our heart so many times," Hearn said.

Linares added: "This is different time, different day, different opponent. I'm coming to fight an undefeated fighter. For me, he's a world champion and he never lost the fight to Taylor."

Having not won a fight since February 2020, a fresh-faced Linares admitted he had been close to retirement but said his career had been reignited by linking up with former trainer Ismael Salas once again.

"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."

I'm not letting him wind me up - Lawal

In London on Saturday night, Mikael Lawal will defend his British cruiserweight title against Isaac Chamberlain at York Hall.

The domestic cruiserweight rivals meet six months after they were originally scheduled to fight.

Chamberlain, 29, played the role of agitator at the final news conference on Thursday, even dragging promoter Ben Shalom into the mind games.

The Brixton fighter (15-2) suggested Shalom was on his side, alleging Lawal's withdrawal in May had irked the promoter.

"Maybe, it still probably would have been at the O2 if Mikael pulled his weight and promoted the show," Chamberlain said.

"You kept asking me if he's really going to take this fight?"

Mikael Lawal is undefeated in his pro career while Isaac Chamberlain has two defeats in 17 fights

Shalom refused to be drawn in by Chamberlain, while defending champion Lawal responded: "All the talking this guy's been doing, we can finally put it to rest."

"Do you know what all this talking has led me to?" Chamberlain asked.

"Because you didn't turn up, because you pulled out before - I'm basically getting double what you're getting? How do you feel about that?"

The fight needed swift rescuing from Shalom after Dan Azeez was forced to withdraw from his fight with Joshua Buatsi on Tuesday.

Lawal-Chamberlain was set to be chief support at the O2 Arena and the decision was taken to move the entire card to York Hall, with the cruiserweights now headlining.

"It's been a crazy hectic 48 hours," Chamberlain said. "I was messaging everyone. Ben [Shalom], you don't reply to my texts.

"Why don't you reply to my WhatsApp? Get out of here man. When I messaged you happy birthday, you replied."

Lawal, 28, is unbeaten in 17 pro fights and remained cool as Chamberlain tried to irritate him with constant interruption and attempts to drive a wedge between him and his promoter.

"I'm not letting him wind me up," Lawal said. "It's nothing personal, it's just business."