Jack Catterall spoke to Boxing Social on the potential of a Josh Taylor rematch and how it might play out.
It was a long road to a title shot for the Chorley man. He was installed as number one challenger for the WBO super lightweight belt in January 2019. The belt changed hands, was unified, defended and unified again before Catterall had his chance in February this year.
What followed was the most impressive performance of his career in which he out landed and outworked his opponent. A split decision in Josh Taylor’s favour left promoter Ben Shalom “embarrassed”, Catterall’s trainer considering quitting the sport and judge Ian John-Lewis being demoted in status by The British Boxing Board of Control.
Hindsight did no good for Catterall, though, who missed out on the chance to become an undisputed champion. He spoke to Boxing Social about the first fight and the future. Reflecting on those twelve rounds and the aftermath, he took an optimistic view.
“It was s**t. I went from being on cloud nine and it came crashing back down. A long time, a long career, preparing and getting ready and building myself up for big fights for it to be stolen. But such is life, you move on.”
“I’ve got a great support system, great family, great team. I enjoy being in the gym [and] surround myself with good people, so I was back in the gym and, if anything, it gives me that hunger.”
Taylor has remained adamant that he did enough to win the fight, although he has spoken about it not being his best showing. In the end, nobody can blame the champion for accepting a victory. Now, as talk of a rematch gathers pace, ‘El Gato’ insists that it’s no surprise the two will share the ring again.
“No I’m not surprised. Straight after the fight I thought he would move up. The fact that he didn’t straight away and he’s been relinquishing the belts one at a time I think he’s under a lot of pressure from the fans, from the public and probable the demons in his own head. I’m gonna’ go up there and smash him and do it again.”
“I think it’s only right he comes to Manchester – I’ve been up there and done it, get yourself down to Manchester. If not, you can get it back up there. It doesn’t matter.”
Finally, on the result of that fight, Catterall is confident that he can end it inside the distance. After all, he’s probably the last man in the world who wants to leave it to the judges.
“I honestly believe I can stop him, yeah. We’ve shared twelve rounds, I know what he’s about. He can come up with these excuses – his leg, his eye – it doesn’t really matter to me I know I’ll go in there and smash him.”
If the fight does happen, it won’t be for undisputed this time around, but the general feeling from Catterall is that simply being announced as the winner takes importance over anything else.