Ben Shalom, the man who promoted the fight that ended in one of the most controversial decisions in recent memory, has confirmed that the rematch is ‘100% happening’ in early 2023.
It’s strange to think now just how much of an underdog Jack Catterall was going into the fight with Undisputed Super Lightweight Champion, Josh Taylor, back in February. It was a fight Taylor had promised to Catterall in return for him stepping aside to let him gather all the belts.
The performance the man from Chorley put in on the night was career-defining, and people in the sport almost exclusively agree that he did enough to have his hand raised – but it’s well known that it was the Scottish champion’s which was held up instead. Calls for a rematch were immediate, but initially brushed off by Taylor who had always planned to move up in weight, especially after not looking too bonny on the scales for this bout.
Public pressure on the champion – some of it going much too far considering he himself had done nothing wrong and had no say in the result – seemed to work, though. Taylor refused mandatories and dropped belts to make sure he could face Catterall again.
Shalom, who on the night of the first scrap said he was ’embarrassed’ by the judging, has confirmed to Boxing Social that the rematch is on.
“I wanted it to happen in Manchester. It’s not going to happen in Manchester. I just felt like it’s the biggest arena, it’s the place for it. But, yeah, that fight will be announced in the next couple of weeks. 100% happening in February [2023].
Massive fight. Massive night for Jack to do what he believes he did last time. It’s going to be one year on, and fair play to Josh Taylor for taking this, cause he didn’t need to.”
It’s widely expected that the rematch will be hosted at Glasgow’s Hydro once more, and the rumoured date is February 4. Whilst this time around it’ll only be the WBO and Ring belts on the line, one gets the feeling that much more is at stake for both men.