The chapter on his time at Super Lightweight will finally close for Josh Taylor if a rematch with Jack Catterall is secured.
‘The Tartan Tornado’ has already created his legacy in the sport after becoming Undisputed champion 14 months ago with a win over Jose Ramirez.
Earlier this year Taylor’s future in the division was thrown into question when he struggled to overcome Catterall. The first defence of the Scot’s four world titles ended in a split decision win with calls for a rematch in the hours, days, weeks, and months that followed.
Having recently vacated his WBA and WBC titles Taylor now hopes to fight Catterall again and told Talksport it would be his last fight at 10 stone. Co-host Adam Catterall asked Taylor about fighting again at a weight that is getting tougher to make.
“I can do it. I just did it wrong the last time. It’ll be tough don’t get me wrong, I’d be lying if I was saying it wasn’t tough to make the weight, but every fighter does struggle.”
“I just did it wrong that time. I came into camp far too heavy as well. That had a big play in it. No excuses. It led to a terrible night and a terrible performance, but it won’t be like that second time around.”
Taylor was also asked how close the rematch was to being made.
“I’ve did everything in my power to make sure that the path is clear, to make it happen. I’ve vacated the two belts because if I wanted to keep them, I would have to be doing mandatories and mandatories so I wouldn’t be able to get the Jack Catterall fight anyway.”
“I let them two go and now the path should be clear. It’s sort of out of my hands now. I’ve done everything I can in my power and I’m just waiting on the other side really.”
Taylor’s performance in February was arguably the worst of his career.
The champion has never looked under par to the level he showed against Catterall in his performances against Ohara Davies, Miguel Vazquez, Viktor Postol, Ivan Baranchyk, Regis Prograis and Jose Carlos Ramirez. All of whom were taken on during a two-year period.
Josh Taylor Motivation
The 2014 Commonwealth Games Gold Medallist said he never underestimated Jack Catterall but had made a few mistakes during camp.
“One was a huge lack of motivation which I kept saying to (trainer) Ben [Davison]. About four-fives time in the camp I said, ‘I can’t get up for this fight’.”
“I couldn’t get myself up and motivated for it for some reason. I don’t know why, and I knew that was a big mistake I was making.”
“I don’t know if it was because I’d been to Vegas, I’d just climbed Everest and I’m standing on top of the world and my ambitions was to keep going, keep climbing and move up to welterweight and chase a second world title.”
“And that’s the mistake that I think that I’ve made and you’re only a fool if you make the same mistake twice.”