The boxing season is well and truly up and running with October starting with a bang. Shows in Chicago and Leicester dominant the boxing headlines, with world titles, mandatory positions and domestic pride up for grabs.

The headline fight from the Leicester show is Jack ‘El Gato’ Catterall vs. Ohara Davies. Fighting for Catterall’s WBO inter-continental super-lightweight title, Davies has changed his approach in the lead up to this encounter. Typically loud, brash and unsavoury, Davies has kept his comments to himself in the lead up to Saturday’s bout, as the 26-year-old looks to continue his winning run after losing his unbeaten record last July against Josh Taylor.

Now to Chicago. Matchroom boxing’s ‘Worlds Collide’ card sees a multitude of scraps for varying titles; the headline act is Jessie Vargas vs. Thomas Dulorme, a welterweight contest to become the mandatory for Shawn Porter’s WBC crown. Dulorme is tough, but the 1/4 price for a Vargas win looks well priced.

Briton Callum Johnson is also in the fight of his life on this card. Making the step up to challenge for Artur Beterbiev’s light-middleweight world title is a huge ask for the British champion, but one he and his team are preparing to grab with both hands.

Also on the bill, Daniel Roman looks to defend his WBA super-bantamweight world title against Doncaster’s Gavin McDonnell. McDonnell failed in his last attempt to gain world honours against the impressive Rey Vargas, however, with just one defeat on his record, the 32-year-old is preparing to come again. A 5/2 punt on the plucky Brit is worth a small stake.

So, where does the value lie on Saturday night?

Jack Catterall to beat Ohara Davies @ 8/11 (BetVictor)

This is a dangerous fight for the champion. Catterall will be aware of the threat that Davies possesses, however, with the turbulent year that the challenger has had it’s a challenge that ‘El Gato’ should be comfortable in taking.

Catterall shows great counter punching exploits as well as showing real strength fighting on the inside; the fact that he fights in the southpaw stance is also a big positive for Catterall seeing how Davies struggled with the stance of Taylor.

Both are big punchers, so it’s best to avoid the way of victory market. Catterall hasn’t tasted defeat yet as a professional, I think think this fight has come at the wrong time for Davies.

Artur Beterbiev to beat Callum Johnson by KO @ 2/5 (BetFred)

‘The Beast’ Beterbiev is a massive puncher. All of his wins so far as a professional have come by the way of knockout; twelve wins against opponents varying in level. This may have come too soon in the career of Callum Johnson. The Brit has received massive praise for taking this fight off the back of a victory over Frank Buglioni, but the step up to world level is a big one.

This is Johnson’s first fight out of the UK and the occasion may just be a little overwhelming for ‘The One’. The Russian will be a constant threat over the twelve rounds; I can’t see Johnson lasting the distance.