Boxing
Catterall’s revenge is sweet after Taylor’s victory
RESULT: Jack Catterall defeated Josh Taylor by 12-round unanimous decision at the First Direct Arena in Leeds. Judges Kieran McCann and Mark Bates scored 117-111 in favor of the Chorley man, with Lee Every slightly closer on 116-113. Kevin Parker was the referee.
KEY MOMENTS: A clash of heads in the second round could have proved crucial, but both men escaped the fight uninjured. The end of round four and the beginning of round five were robust moments for Catterall, who kept his feet on the ground and hit demanding shots.
Looking tired in the sixth round, Taylor came back with a thrilling seventh round.
Round 11 was a huge turning point as Taylor clawed diligently before eating a huge left hand after being squared. Another left overdue in the round had Taylor reeling. Huge swing. It turned out that Catterall already had bullets in his bag.
DOCUMENTATION: Catterall improves his record to 29-1 (13 KO). Taylor suffers defeat number two, dropping to 19-2 (13 KO).
THE GIST OF THE CONVERSATION: Early rounds were demanding to come by as the momentum was changing. Taylor won the round, then Catterall responded by winning the next round.
Everything Catterall did right was the result of his lovely southpaw jab. Jack was often on the verge of fatigue, and Jack’s edged rear leg combinations landed in the right places at the right time.
Taylor was wounded several times, but aside from fatigue, Catterall never seemed visibly shaken. Catterall experienced the highlights of the competition.
Taylor’s promoter, Bob Arum, improvised a tirade during interviews, saying he would never allow an American to cross the pond to fight in a BBBofC-rated competition.
QUOTABLE: “Tonight is bittersweet. No world titles are at risk, I have closed that chapter,” Catterall said.
“We wanted Josh to be in top shape and that’s what we got.”
Promoter Eddie Hearn added: “Jack Catterall won the fight and closed the show beautifully. I love Scotland, but today justice was served. He should wear belts around his waist.
If he wants to continue fighting for world titles [that’s his choice]he won that fight,” Josh Taylor said. “Let’s do a trilogy. There was always respect.”
WHAT HAPPENS THEN? The hatred may not have been that deep, but relations do not appear to have thawed significantly while awaiting the verdict.
Eddie Hearn was right when he said that although revenge had been taken, the fact that no world titles were on the line (much less all four) made it a bittersweet moment for the winner.
Despite all the talk of a trilogy, Catterall’s goal remains to become world champion. Hearn mentioned Subriel Matias, who will defend his IBF title on June 15, and the winner of Devin Haney vs. Sandor Martin.
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