JACK CATTERALL insists his “time is now” as he looks to finally be crowned a world champion more than four years after being denied by controversial judging.

Catterall losing a split decision in February 2022 to then undisputed world light-welterweight champion Josh Taylor provoked widespread incredulity and led to a British Boxing Board of Control investigation.

The Chorley fighter gained revenge two years later — albeit after Taylor had lost his world titles — before dropping another split 15 months ago against Arnold Barboza Jr for the WBO’s interim belt.

After moving up to welterweight, Catterall has rebounded with two wins and this Saturday he takes on unbeaten Uzbek Shakhram Giyasov for the WBA’s “regular” title at the Pyramids of Giza in Egypt.

He told the Press Association: “It’s every boxer’s dream to be a world champion and it’s something I’ve been working towards for many years. I’ve fallen short before but I truly believe this is my time now.

“I enjoy fighting, I’m a combat man, I love the art of boxing and I’ve still got that burning desire to be world champion and to carry on fighting. I’ve worked too hard to let this opportunity slip now.”

Catterall has been linked with fights against WBO champion Devin Haney and the WBA’s Super titlist Rolly Romero, while WBC belt-holder Ryan Garcia and fellow Briton Conor Benn are other potential future opponents.

“You only have to look at the 147lb division and see the fighters out there,” Catterall said. “These are the big fights that I want and picking up this belt will maybe entice a few of them into a fight.”

Catterall’s bout on the Oleksandr Usyk-Rico Verhoeven undercard will take place against the backdrop of one of the seven wonders of the ancient world – and the only one which remains fully intact.