Former undisputed junior welterweight champion Josh ‘The Tartan Tornado’ Taylor 19-1 (13) has promised a definitive win over old foe Jack ‘El Gato’ Catterall 28-1 (13) at the First Direct Arena in Leeds, England on April 27.
In their first fight at The SSE Hydro, Glasgow two years ago, Scottish southpaw Taylor, 33, claimed a close unanimous decision victory that many fans and pundits felt his British rival should have won.
“It wasn’t my best performance and I’ve put a lot of pressure on myself being heavy favourite and boxing back at home… but once I started catching him, I believe I got the win 100 per cent,” Taylor said.
“I know I won the fight. Overall, I scored the bigger shots and the more meaningful shots. He put up a good fight, but he never won the fight. Second half of the fight I took control.”
Not surprisingly, Catterall disagrees.
“From my point of view, I beat Josh,” the 30-year-old southpaw said. “If I beat him convincingly again it puts my name in the hat for Teofimo [Lopez] and the other champions, but I guess what other options does he have? I don’t hear any other offers coming in and certainly not for the numbers he has been asking for that he will get for this fight.”
The Taylor vs Catterall rematch is being billed as ‘Hate Runs Strong’.
“Hate’s a strong word,” Catterall said. “I don’t care that much about Josh. The respect’s not there. Will it be there [on fight night]? I don’t think so. Right now he’s the enemy and that’s all I can focus on.
“I don’t believe he wanted to fight me.
“I believe I won last time. Two years on, I’ve picked up two victories [against Darragh Foley and Jorge Linares], he went to New York, got smashed [by Teofimo Lopez in June 2023] and I believe he’s on the decline and I’m going to capitalise on it and put him to bed.
“Without a shadow of a doubt [I will win inside the distance]. I’m coming in there to do damage.”
Taylor scoffed at the idea he would get stopped.
“He said he’s going to knock me out – he’s never knocked anyone out in his life,” Taylor said. “I can’t wait for this fight.
“You’ve billed it ‘Hate Runs Strong’. I don’t hate anyone – I just don’t like this guy. I can’t wait to smash his brains in. I can’t wait.
“It’s kind of a crossroads fight. My last two fights haven’t been great – I’ve got a point to prove. I need to be back to my best and win this fight to keep my career on the go. It’s a big fight.”
Taylor vs Catterall will be broadcast live on DAZN.
