World-ranked super-lightweight Jack Catterall will not look past Ohara Davies at world champion Maurice Hooker – primarily because he sees the Londoner as a harder fight.

Chorley’s ‘El Gato’ (22-0-KO12) takes on Davies (18-1-KO14) at Leicester Arena on October 5 – live on BT Sport – and despite being favourite to earn a shot at WBO king Hooker, Catterall has a one-track mind.

Catterall said: “Of course I eventually want the Hooker fight but first I’ve got to put my energy into this one and win it first.

“I was at the fight when Hooker beat Terry Flanagan to become world champion. I watched him up close then and have watched a bit more of him since. When he beat Terry, he didn’t ‘wow’ me.

“Terry did things wrong and came up short but I simply believe I’m a better boxer than Hooker. He does things well but nothing great and that fight is an easier one than my next one.

“Davies clearly holds some power. He’s shown that in fights he’s had but I’ve plenty of time to prepare for what he possesses. I’m not going to get carried away with what he does – I’m just going to be the best version of me.

“He’s got a better knockout percentage than me but look at the opponents I’ve fought and the opponents he’s fought. You can argue mine are a higher level. Plus, he’s lost to Josh Taylor, who I rate, but still…

“You can never disrespect anyone by overlooking them but ultimately, of course I’m on the hunt for that world title. I’ve had my WBO ranking title for a while now and I believe I’m close to the full version now.”

Alongside the mouthwatering Catterall v Davies clash on the bill, MTK Global’s unbeaten super-featherweight Archie Sharp challenges Lyon Woodstock for the WBO European title.