My reactive dog is too strong to walk

In need of a bit of advice.

I have a 3 year old 40kg American bulldog who is very reactive when it comes to other dogs, specifically other bull breeds or males, and cats (especially cats, he was attached by one on our road as a pup and has had a vengeance against them since). I am 5’3 and not far off the same weight.

About a year ago, he pulled me over on a walk to go after another dog (whilst using a head collar) which alone made me more reluctant to walk him.

Last year due to the introduction of the XL bully ban in the UK we made the decision to exempt him due to his size and reactivity to be on the safe side. Only real difference this has made is that he has to wear a muzzle on walks (which is a good idea anyway given the reactivity), but makes it more difficult to use a head collar. I have walked him on my own maybe a couple of times since with not a lot of luck on the reactivity side. Once something sets him off he is on edge for the entire walk, and I get the sense that he can tell it makes me nervous so it makes him worse.

I am desperate to be able to walk him properly as I can’t rely on others to give him the exercise he needs, and playing inside isn’t enough sometimes.

Some of the things I have tried:

• using treats, toys, raw food, nothing will keep his eyes on me if there’s another dog he doesn’t like the look of or if he senses a cat
• training him in the house before going out
• playing with him before we go out with a break to get some energy out

Any advice or ideas would be greatly appreciated!