Jack Catterall Outlines World Title Ambitions After Rematch With Josh Taylor

Jack Catterall has revealed his ambition is to win a world title and believes a victory over Josh Taylor on Saturday will set him on the right path.

Catterall (28-1-0 13 KO) was denied the chance to become the super-lightweight undisputed world champion when he lost on a split decision to Taylor in their first fight in February 2022.

Despite outlanding Taylor 120 to 73 and sending the champion to the canvas in the eighth round, Catterall ended up on the wrong side of two of the judges’ scorecards. Ian John-Lewis, who scored the fight 114-111 in favor of Taylor, was subsequently downgraded.

While the controversial decision prevented Catterall from fulfilling his dream of becoming a world champion, the ambition still burns bright for the British fighter.

Catterall Aims To ‘Beat Taylor And Win A World Title’

“I think we’ve had two years since the fight where I’ve matured in and out of the ring,” Catterall said. “I’ve been doing a lot of developing and I think it’s my time now to prove that I do belong in these big fights. Once I beat Josh I’ll go on and win a world title.”

Indeed, Catterall has had more than two years to reflect and process his defeat to Taylor. In that time, ‘El Gato’ has kept busy with unanimous points wins over Darragh Foley and most recently, Jorge Linares in October last year.

Taylor, meanwhile, has only fought once and was dominated by Teofimo Lopez in June in the only defeat of his professional career. It meant Taylor lost the only world title he had left, the WBO, having been stripped of the other three due to injury-related inactivity.

While there are no world titles on the line this time, the stakes are still plenty high. Amid a genuine rivalry and mutual dislike for each other, Taylor is determined to prove their first fight was a mere blip – an off-night in an otherwise exemplary career. For Catterall, it’s a chance to right the wrong from two years ago and prove himself worthy of world title opportunities.

Catterall Motivated For Rematch

“I want to prove myself and fight the best, if this is the fight and victory that I need to put myself one step closer to the world titles, then game on,” Catterall said. “I want to be involved in big fights and this is a big fight.

“It would have been the cherry on top if we could have got it for a world title, I have ambitions to go on and win a world title, but this fight is worthy of a world title, and it gets me up for it.”

Catterall is well placed in all four organizations to put himself forward for a world title shot, should he defeat Taylor in Leeds, England on Saturday. The 30-year-old is ranked fourth by the IBF and WBA, fifth by the WBC, and sixth by the WBO.

With all four world titles at 140 held by four different fighters, it could provide options for Catterall. The WBO belt is in Teofimo Lopez’s possession after his win over Taylor last year, Subriel Matias holds the IBF title, Devin Haney is the WBC champion, and Isaac Cruz has the WBA strap.