Josh Taylor Vows To ‘Destroy’ Jack Catterall

Josh Taylor has promised to beat Jack Catterall in their rematch on Saturday. 

The two shared the ring in 2022, with Taylor winning by a controversial split decision. Despite Catterall outlanding Taylor by 120-73, the judges did not see it as a unanimous win. Most of the boxing community were unhappy with the decision, feeling Catterall had been robbed.

The result hurt Catterall more since he was prevented from being the Undisputed Junior Welterweight Champion. While there was talk over a rematch, Taylor would initially vacate his belts, leaving him with only the WBO. That meant Catterall could no longer fight for undisputed. 

A rematch was meant for last year. However, Taylor withdrew with a torn plantar fascia. While recovering, the Scot decided to face Teofimo Lopez instead, leaving doubts about whether the rematch would happen. Taylor would lose a one-sided unanimous decision, as Lopez became the WBO Champion. The rematch with Catterall was scheduled for April 27. However, Taylor suffered an eye injury, with the new date set for May 25. With no belts on the line, it is all personal now. 

Taylor On Catterall

“I don’t particularly like the guy. I want to shut his mouth and put him back under his rock and move on with my career. [And] I want to close the negativity and the cloud of doubt that is hanging over me. I want to shut it down and put it to bed and move on. 

“[The first fight] was a terrible performance, and that’s being generous…I need to improve on everything from that fight. That Josh Taylor will never show up as long as I box. I am going to destroy Jack Caterall in absolutely every single department. If he comes to engage a little bit more, then I can’t see nothing else but a win for myself. I’m looking forward to it. I’m grinding my teeth to say that I am still here as one of the top dogs,” Taylor said

Taylor’s Future

A win for Taylor raises questions over his future. He has already been undisputed at 140, leaving nothing else to prove. There are also suggestions that he struggles to make 140. He has spoken about moving to 147 and becoming a two-weight world champion. However, there are doubts about his punch power at welterweight.

And yet, with Terence Crawford likely to stay at 154 or move up further, the belt could be freed up. That gives Taylor a potential title shot at some vacant belts. But the 140-pound division has the biggest fights. The Scot wanted to avenge his loss to Lopez, feeling he was getting the best of him in the earlier rounds. A rematch with Taylor could happen if Lopez cannot secure a unification at 140. 

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