Boxxer promoter, Ben Shalom, has officially confirmed a that a deal has been signed for Josh Taylor to fight Jack Catterall in a rematch in Scotland.
Josh Taylor was considered one of the pound-for-pound superstars of the sport this time last year, reigning as the undisputed light-welterweight champion with an unbeaten record after eighteen fights.
However, after a poor performance against Catterall, Taylor finds himself having to prove that he is still one of the best active fighters in the game.
Taylor fought just once in 2022, defeating Jack Catterall by a highly controversial split-decision in February. The majority of fight fans felt that Catterall did enough to steal Taylor’s undisputed crown, but the judges saw it differently and gave Taylor the nod in his native Scotland.
Since then, Taylor has vacated his WBC and IBF world titles, originally threatening to move up to the 147lb division and fight the likes of Terence Crawford and Errol Spence Jr.
However, following the backlash after his win over Catterall, Taylor has since decided to stay in the super-lightweight division and fight Catterall once again, to silence his doubters. In an interview with talkSport, promoter Ben Shalom revealed that the rematch has been signed and that Taylor will fight Catterall once again, in Glasgow in March 2023.
‼️ The Josh Taylor vs Jack Catterall rematch is now signed for March in Glasgow, Scotland, Ben Shalom has confirmed. [@talkSPORT]
— Michael Benson (@MichaelBensonn) December 22, 2022
Taylor has also made a change in trainer ahead of the rematch, leaving Ben Davison and instead opting to fight under the guidance of Joe McNally, who trains Liam Smith. A change of style and a fresh start could be exactly what Taylor needed to get back to his best and fans will be hoping that his lacklustre performance in his last fight was down to complacency, rather than issues making the weight.
Meanwhile, Jack Catterall has continuously called out Taylor since the fight, claiming to have been robbed by the champion and his rivalry with the Scotsman has only got larger. Catterall has often laughed at Taylor’s claims that he felt the decision was fair and gloated that Taylor would not want the rematch.
Despite what Catterall believed, Taylor has given him the opportunity to avenge his defeat and the Manchester 140lber will be out to prove that his performance against Taylor last time out was no fluke.