With their inevitable rematch announced, Jack Catterall has sent a message to Josh Taylor reminding him not to overdo it this Christmas.
The pair fought in February to one of the most contentious decisions the sport has seen in a while. Taylor took it on the scorecards, but seemed to be one of the only men in the sport to believe that they reflected the contest fairly.
To his credit, the former undisputed champion has offered Catterall a rematch to set the record straight, and it was announced this week that it would take place in Glasgow in March 2023.
The Chorley man, who remains adamant he won the first fight despite the judges’ scores, told Sky Sports that he can improve still.
“I’m over the frustration now. It lasted a couple of weeks but we’ve been back in the gym and we’ve regrouped, and we’re looking forward now to next year and getting the rematch over the line and setting it right.”
“I expect the second to be a totally different fight. I’m probably my worst critic so I’ve watched it two or three times now and I know there’s a lot of stuff I can improve on going in to the rematch.”
Much was made about Taylor’s weight cut for the fight, with many claiming he looked drained on the scales and he himself even admitting to it being a struggle.
A decision to move up to 147lb has been pushed back so he can face Catterall in the rematch and attempt to put to bed any questions of his victory, but how comfortably the Scottish champion will make 140lb remains to be seen.
Catterall sent his foe a Christmas warning.
“After becoming undisputed you earn the right to go and enjoy yourself and he probably did that a little bit too much … I’d like to think he’s preparing and being disciplined from far out to do the weight correctly.
“Not too much turkey, fat boy, and see you in the new year.”
.@jack_catt93's Christmas message to @JoshTaylorBoxer 😅🦃 pic.twitter.com/XGiGtUZELs
— Sky Sports Boxing (@SkySportsBoxing) December 22, 2022
In the time since the fight, Taylor has vacated three of his four super lightweight titles – the WBO being the only remaining belt on the line for this one.