Jack Catterall Grabs Josh Taylor by the THROAT During Event to Promote their Grudge Rematch
- 2 months ago
Josh Taylor has vowed to resurrect his career and ‘smash’ Jack Catterall to prove he still belongs among the elite talents in world boxing.
The bitter rivals clashed in Edinburgh at a promotional event for their grudge rematch, which is to be held in Leeds on April 27.
In a typically fiery exchange, they had to be separated by security after Englishman Catterall grabbed Taylor by the throat.
It was almost a carbon copy of what happened at the weigh-in for their first about two years ago, which Taylor won thanks to a hugely controversial split decision.
Catterall has claimed that Taylor is now a spent force, with the Scot losing his unbeaten record and the last of his four light-welterweight world titles to Teofimo Lopez in New York last year.
The 33-year-old Scot admits that he has a point to prove, but is determined to reignite his career by setting the record straight against his English rival.
‘I do have a point to prove – because my last two performances have been c***,’ said Taylor. ‘I need to produce the goods this time. Otherwise, it’s a question of where do I go.
‘Do I go back to fighting down a level? I wouldn’t let myself do that because I know I’m one of the best fighters in the world. I need to produce the goods this time.
‘There’s no belts this time. This will be a good display of boxing. I’m going down there to smash him to bits and put him back to bed.
‘It’s a crossroads fight. I have a point to prove and be back to my best to win this fight and keep my career on the go.’
This will be Taylor’s fourth fight in three years, a period of inactivity that has led many to question whether he can still cut it at the top level of boxing.
He became the unified champion at light welterweight after beating Jose Ramirez in Las Vegas in May 2021, before looking laboured in his two subsequent performances against Catterall and Lopez.
On the idea that he’s been well below his best, Taylor said: ‘Yeah, I think that’s a fair comment. It wasn’t the best version of me against Jack.
‘It was a terrible performance from me – and not a very good one from him either with all the holding and spoiling. He was just cuddling me at times.
‘I hope we get a referee this time who doesn’t allow that intense kind of spoiling tactics. It’s a fight and we should be showing our skills.
‘I’ve not shown up and not been great in the last couple of fights, that’s probably fair.
‘But how many fighters in the past have had a couple of bad nights, but then come back even stronger? I fully expect to be back to my best.’
A fight two years in the making as Taylor and Catterall traded insults on social media, the bout has been billed with the tagline of ‘Hate Runs Deep’.
Both fighters were quick to play down the notion of any genuine hatred, albeit there is undeniable bad blood on both sides.
The bitter rivals clashed in Edinburgh at a promotional event for their grudge rematch, which is to be held in Leeds on April 27.
In a typically fiery exchange, they had to be separated by security after Englishman Catterall grabbed Taylor by the throat.
It was almost a carbon copy of what happened at the weigh-in for their first about two years ago, which Taylor won thanks to a hugely controversial split decision.
Catterall has claimed that Taylor is now a spent force, with the Scot losing his unbeaten record and the last of his four light-welterweight world titles to Teofimo Lopez in New York last year.
The 33-year-old Scot admits that he has a point to prove, but is determined to reignite his career by setting the record straight against his English rival.
‘I do have a point to prove – because my last two performances have been c***,’ said Taylor. ‘I need to produce the goods this time. Otherwise, it’s a question of where do I go.
‘Do I go back to fighting down a level? I wouldn’t let myself do that because I know I’m one of the best fighters in the world. I need to produce the goods this time.
‘There’s no belts this time. This will be a good display of boxing. I’m going down there to smash him to bits and put him back to bed.
‘It’s a crossroads fight. I have a point to prove and be back to my best to win this fight and keep my career on the go.’
This will be Taylor’s fourth fight in three years, a period of inactivity that has led many to question whether he can still cut it at the top level of boxing.
He became the unified champion at light welterweight after beating Jose Ramirez in Las Vegas in May 2021, before looking laboured in his two subsequent performances against Catterall and Lopez.
On the idea that he’s been well below his best, Taylor said: ‘Yeah, I think that’s a fair comment. It wasn’t the best version of me against Jack.
‘It was a terrible performance from me – and not a very good one from him either with all the holding and spoiling. He was just cuddling me at times.
‘I hope we get a referee this time who doesn’t allow that intense kind of spoiling tactics. It’s a fight and we should be showing our skills.
‘I’ve not shown up and not been great in the last couple of fights, that’s probably fair.
‘But how many fighters in the past have had a couple of bad nights, but then come back even stronger? I fully expect to be back to my best.’
A fight two years in the making as Taylor and Catterall traded insults on social media, the bout has been billed with the tagline of ‘Hate Runs Deep’.
Both fighters were quick to play down the notion of any genuine hatred, albeit there is undeniable bad blood on both sides.