Junior welterweight contender Jack ‘El Gato’ Catterall 28-1 (13) will finally get the chance to exact his revenge of former undisputed 140-pound champion Josh ‘The Tartan Tornado’ Taylor 19-1 (13) at the First Direct Arena in Leeds, England on April 27.
The rematch has been two years in the making.
When the two southpaws first met in the ring at The SSE Hydro in Glasgow, Scotland on February 26, 2021, the result was a scrappy affair for Taylor’s WBC, WBA, WBO, IBF and Ring Magazine titles that the Scotsman won by split decision with scores of 114-111, 113-112 and 112-113.
Taylor was cut twice by the left eye and was down in the eighth round. He was also deducted one point in the 11th for punching after the bell, while Catterall was deducted one point for holding in the 10th.
To the eyes of many fans and pundits, England’s Catterall did the better work. Taylor himself admitted that it wasn’t his best performance and promised to face Catterall again to prove he is the better man.
But despite the desire on both sides for a rematch, it has taken until mow for both sides to agree to terms.
Better late than never, they say.
“I’ve never run from anyone in my life, especially not Jack Catterall,” said the 33-year-old Taylor, who has boxed just once since then when he lost his WBO and Ring Magazine titles to Teofimo Lopez 19-1 (13) on points last June.
“He has spent the last two years running from promoter to promoter while living off my name. Jack should be careful what he wishes for because he’s getting battered on April 27. I am going to enjoy every second of this. See you soon, Jack.”
Catterall, 30, has been barely more active, boxing twice for points wins over Darragh Foley 22-5-1 (10) and Jorge Linares 47-9 (29).
“I’ve wanted this fight since the moment the scorecards got read out in Glasgow,” said Catterall. “A few people say ‘move on Jack’, and that’s easy to say to when you’re not in my position. I get asked every day of my life multiple times a day, ‘when are you fighting Taylor again?’.
“This isn’t about belts, this is personal to me and I can’t wait to get my hands on him. I don’t like him, I don’t respect him and on April 27 I’m going to end him.”
“I’m so happy to get this fight made,” said Matchroom Sport chairman Eddie Hearn. “British boxing has been crying out for a big fight and now we look to settling the score of one of the most bitter rivalries in the sport.
“It will be nearly two years to the day since their controversial undisputed fight and not a day has past where opinion and debate has not ensued. The pair have engaged in a back and forth full of hatred and now the time has come to finally meet again in Leeds on April 27.
“Despite the offers to stage this fight on pay-per-view, I am proud that Matchroom and DAZN have stepped up make this fight available to subscribers as part of their subscription and I can’t wait for the intense build up and a huge event on April 27.”
“This is the ultimate grudge match between two of the world’s top 140-pounders,” said Top Rank chairman Bob Arum. “These two warriors will settle the score in front of what I’m sure will be an incredible crowd in Leeds. If you look at Josh Taylor’s career, he has never, ever backed down from a challenge and he will be in peak form on April 27.”
“What an incredible fight this will be,” said Alfie Sharman, VP, DAZN. “It has all the makings of a classic: a cracking back story, an explosive build-up and what will be an unmissable fight night. From first to last bell expect fireworks.”
