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Josh Taylor Linked With Teofimo Lopez – Jack Catterall Responds

Written by Kerr Ferguson on 11th February 2023.

Josh Taylor Jack Catterall and Teofimo Lopez

Josh Taylor was due to set the record straight in a rematch with Jack Catterall before injuring his foot and seeing the March contest postponed.

The pair fought last year with the result a contentious decision in Taylor’s favour – and both have been calling for the rematch ever since.

Fans were delighted when it was finally announced that the Scot – formerly undisputed at super lightweight, now with just the WBO title – would give the Chorley man a second crack. It was short lived, though, as Taylor injured his foot in training.

Now, ESPN are reporting that Top Rank are exploring matching Taylor up with Teofimo Lopez, the former unified lightweight champion.

The bout is said to be targeted for May or June, clearly standing in the way of an immediate rescheduling of the Catterall bout that has seen the pair inactive since they last met in the ring in February 2022.

Catterall’s promoter, Ben Shalom, told Sky Sports that the Lopez development was news to them.

“Jack’s waiting and we’re waiting. We were about to announce the fight and Josh Taylor said that he was injured and we’re still waiting on [news of] when Josh Taylor’s going to be fit.

“We have a contract for that fight. [Talk of Teofimo Lopez] is a bit confusing to us but we have a contract for the fight and we’re waiting to agree a date as soon as Josh Taylor’s fit.”

Catterall himself simply laughed at the news on social media, before moving onto an American of his own in Regis Prograis.

He told Boxing Social that his focus was on getting active and reaching big fights once more. He returns to action on the Lawrence Okolie vs David Light card on March 25, with an opponent yet to be announced.