With the majestic Pyramids of Egypt serving as the backdrop, Britain’s Jack “El Gato” Catterall etched his name into boxing history Saturday night, capturing the vacant World Boxing Association (WBA) welterweight crown with a dominant unanimous decision over previously unbeaten Uzbek contender Shakhram Giyasov in the co-main event of the historic card staged on Egyptian soil.
After twelve rounds in which the Chorley southpaw steadily took control, the WBA judges turned in commanding scorecards of 119-108, 116-111, and 118-109, sealing a definitive victory that catapulted Catterall to the summit of the 147-pound division.
The bout opened with the intensity expected from a world title clash. Giyasov came out aggressively from the opening bell, looking to cut off the ring and apply suffocating pressure behind his trademark punch volume. But Catterall remained composed under the early storm, building a tight defensive shell from his slick southpaw stance.
Beginning in the fourth round, “El Gato” seized complete command of the contest. Using sharp lateral movement that repeatedly left the Uzbek punching at air, Catterall established a piercing right jab and crisp left-hand counters that completely unraveled Giyasov’s game plan. The Asian standout began to show visible frustration as he struggled to close the distance and find success on the inside.
The second half of the fight became a masterclass in ring IQ from the British technician. In the ninth and tenth rounds, Catterall mixed punishing hooks to the body with pinpoint straight shots upstairs, gradually draining Giyasov’s stamina and physical resistance.
In a desperate attempt to change the outcome in the final round, the Uzbek challenger launched an all-out assault in search of a knockout blow. But Catterall’s composure, footwork, and defensive awareness allowed him to neutralize the danger and close the show with the poise of a true world champion.
With the career-defining victory in Egypt, Jack Catterall finally fulfilled a lifelong dream while erasing the bitter memories of controversial decisions that had haunted him in the past. The British star now elevates himself into the elite tier of the sport, leaving Giza with the WBA world title around his waist and a world of possibilities awaiting him in the second half of 2026.
As for Shakhram Giyasov, he suffers the first defeat of his professional career at the hands of an opponent who flirted with perfection on one of boxing’s biggest stages in one of the sport’s glamour divisions.
