LEEDS, England – The rematch between Josh Taylor and Jack Catterall was an stimulating fight that was watched by an enthusiastic crowd on Saturday night, but the result still leaves many questions for both fighters to answer.
Catterall, 30, of Lancashire, England, won by unanimous decision, but controversy once again flared up. Taylor’s promoter Bob Arum criticized the scores of 117-111, 117-111 and 116-113 as “a disgrace”. Even Catterall’s promoter Eddie Hearn agreed that the majority of votes were in favor of his fighter.
The fight was fascinating from the first to the last bell, but neither fighter was able to overtake the other. Maybe it’s just a matter of them having each other’s number. After 24 rounds, opinions will still be divided on who is actually the better of the two.
Up front, Hearn described the fight as a career-defining one. So where do the fierce rivals find themselves at the end of it all?
Catterall (29-1, 13 KO) proved that the first fight between both fighters, which many believed he deserved, was not a one-off appearance. He has more than shown that he can handle a top opponent and is not afraid of the glowing lights. He used his jab to great effect in both fights, controlling pace and distance while frustrating Taylor (19-2, 13 KO). There is no doubt that he hurt Taylor; however, he could not finish the job, and the fight was closer than the cards suggested.
Catterall’s camp quickly quashed rumors of a trilogy that would immediately follow. He waited too long and performed too well to wait any longer for a shot at the belt.
And Catterall knows who he wants.
“Lopez,” Catterall said during the post-fight press conference, referring to WBO titleholder Teofimo Lopez. “I was a mandatory member of the WBO for what seemed like my whole life. He beat Taylor before me, we both got the win over him and I want to prove I’m better than him. I believe I have the style to beat Lopez and that’s the fight I want.
The world champion title has always been my dream. We didn’t win the undisputed title, it’s okay, this chapter has already been written. But I’m in a great position, Eddie has a great stable at 140 pounds and I want that world title fight.”
Hearn also introduced IBF champion Subriel Matias and WBC champion Devin Haney, both of whom he is working with, as potential opponents.
“One thing we know is that the next one will be a large fight. If I had a choice, I would choose the world title,” Hearn said. “Of course people talk about the trilogy, for me I will always look at the biggest fights, but right now it’s about Jack Catterall’s career. He should have been the undisputed world champion. We have to try and put him in position now for a world title fight, when you have a performance like that and you have a night like that, putting someone in position is a lot easier because people want to see it.
Hearn also targeted Lopez’s next fight against Steve Claggett, scheduled for June 29 in Miami.
“I don’t want to be disrespectful to Steve Claggett, but it’s a bloody disgrace, it’s a joke. Teofimo Lopez after good victory over Josh Taylor says he is the best 140-pound fighter in the world, this is the guy [Catterall] who should fight Teofimo Lopez. We believe he will beat him all day.”
Perhaps the current level between the current champions and Catterall is even higher, but the Englishman passed the test against Taylor and deserves his chance.
What about Taylor?
He showed that he still had the fire in him. He looked much better than he did in the first fight, when he admitted he took Catterall lightly. This time he looked fitter and more focused, but he couldn’t fully control the dynamics. Whenever he thought he had Catterall in the corner, the younger fighter fended off the most brutal shots and came back firing.
In a division as powerful as the junior welterweight division, there are large fights to be made, but two straight losses leave Taylor, 33, of Edinburgh, Scotland, with some work to do.
Does he still want to climb the mountain? Is a move to welterweight finally taking place after years of consideration? Would he prefer a trilogy?
“Honestly, I think I just stopped the fight. But listen, be fair to Jack, he won this fight and listen, let’s do a third fight. Why not? It was a good fight,” Taylor said. “If he wants to keep fighting and get into bigger fights, he deserves it. He won that fight, but I think it’s just one fight. So let’s do it. Let’s do it. Let’s take up the challenge.”
Regardless of the decision, Taylor’s legacy has already been cemented. Undisputed world champion and one of the best players Scotland has ever produced, ‘Tartan Tornado’ deserves all the respect in the world.
Whether this means he still belongs to the elite, or even wants to be one, time will tell.
WBN understands that despite alternative options emerging, it is more likely that Manny Pacquiao will face Mario Barrios next.
Bob Santos, coach of WBC welterweight champion Barrios, told World Boxing News that he is currently in contact with Pacquiao’s team. Asked by WBN if he had spoken to Pacquiao or representatives of any other challenger, Santos replied: “Yes, Pacquiao’s promoter, Sean Gibbons.” Pressed on whether Barrios vs Pacquiao might happen next, he added: “It’s challenging to say. We’ll have to see how this plays out.”
WBN contacted Santos after Conor Benn emerged as a potential alternative to Barrios. The British fighter, who recently returned from a suspension following two positive drug tests, is keen to return to competition.
Benn showed favor with the World Boxing Council at the recent WBC Convention, the WBC Evaluation Committee and during an interview with the sanctioning body over the weekend. “The Destroyer” is ranked second in the rankings at 147 pounds, despite less than solid opponents during his time in exile, during which Benn competed twice in the United States while his career in the United Kingdom was in doubt.
As he battled to clear his name and with the British Anti-Doping Authority finding no evidence that Benn had intentionally taken ostarine, the 28-year-old’s career took a pointed nosedive. Despite this, he remains highly rated and at least one step away from fighting for an eliminator or one of the remaining championship titles.
However, Pacquiao remains Barrios’ favorite. Now it’s up to the boxing legend and Hall of Famer who got the first votes to secure his shot. WBN believes a July date – most likely at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas – is the most realistic date for a Nevada swan song.
Pacquiao could extend his record as the oldest welterweight champion by six years if he can secure a huge victory over the 29-year-old world champion. At 46 years antique, such a scenario remains unlikely, but he can never be compared to one of the greatest players of this generation.
Unlike heavier boxers and his training regiment, Pacquiao looks in great shape despite his advanced age. Everything is set for a massive return to the boxing capital of the world, provided Pacquiao and his team can manage his political ambitions, which are expected to run from this month until May. After that time, Pacquiao could find himself in the summer finals and become the all-time champion, regardless of the result.
Barrios is based in the city, where he trained with Santos, and would be the perfect opponent to see out the career of one of the greatest fighters in history.
Deontay Wilder has not retired from boxing at the age of 39, and the former WBC heavyweight champion has not issued any official statement.
World Boxing News can confirm that reports circulating on social media are false and originated from a imitation account on Up-to-date Year’s Day. As of January 2, 2025, WBN has had no word from Wilder that he plans to hang up his gloves.
As usual, WBN also asked Shelly Finkel for comment. However, Finkel has repeatedly said in the past that Wilder is not retiring. This case seems to be no different.
The last time Wilder spoke publicly was while promoting a mental health app, the Brown Bomber was unveiling plans to return to the sport.
He said: “The push-up protocol has been disabled. Strengthen your body and train your mind; no paid subscription required! It’s not about money. It’s about a mission to strengthen mindsets and improve mental health for all. To everyone: operate your services and achieve greatness.
“There will be people who tell you, ‘No, you can’t.’ [No] People trying to stop you or putting up stop signs. [No] People who want to bring you down and keep you down. But you can’t give up.
“No matter how many times you fall, no matter how many times you get knocked down, it’s a resilient mind, a confident mind, a powerful mind that gets back up and keeps moving forward to achieve your greatness.
“Apply your service. Achieve your greatness,” he added.
Deontay Wilder could announce his retirement tomorrow if he changed his mind, but at the time of the report, there was no truth to it.
When Zhilei Zhang knocked him out on June 1 in Saudi Arabia, the formidable top-flight contender needed time to assess his situation. WBN understands that Wilder has received offers, including contact from Francis Ngannou, regarding a possible boxing match with the MMA star.
The Wilder vs. Ngannou fight only makes sense for an American his age. Many voluntary positions [of which Wilder is WBC number 13] are occupied by threatening opponents who would start each clash as favorites.
Meanwhile, the Ngannou fight is winnable with less risk and more rewards, meaning Wilder can still earn a significant payday before hanging up his gloves for good.
Rising Irish boxing star Paddy “The Real Deal” Donovan (14-0, 11 KO), the current World Boxing Association (WBA) welterweight continental champion, had to withdraw from his scheduled December “stay busy” fight due to a minor injury but now is preparing to fight his biggest rival in what may be the most anticipated Irish boxing match in history.
The All-Ireland fight between Donovan, who fights in Limerick and trains in Dublin, and Lewis “The Croc” Crocker (20-0, 11 KO) of Belfast, Northern Ireland, is scheduled for March 1. “Point of Pride” will headline the Matchroom Boxing card, which will be broadcast live on DAZN from the SES Arena as part of the International Boxing Federation (IBF) world title eliminator. Just two fights away, Donovan could win a world title if he defeats Crocker as the IBF mandatory challenger.
“There is something different about a good Irish fighter and I believe I will be next,” Donovan declared. “I think turning pro at 19 and now 25 has required a lot of life changes since I turned pro. What matters most is what I learned in the gym, because it was the ups and downs in life – being a husband and father, losing loved ones – that helped me improve. I improved as a person, which helped me become a better fighter.”
A true fighter from the past, Donovan is currently rated by three of the four major sanctioning bodies: WBA No. 5, IBF No. 6 and World Boxing Council No. 14. He has dreamed of being a world champion since he was seven years senior.
“I’m in an amazing position, so I thank God for that and my team, Andy Lee (head coach/co-manager) and (Up-to-date York lawyer) Keith Sullivan (co-manager),” Donovan noted. “It’s great to be ranked so highly at this stage of my career, but I’m where I need to be. To be ranked so high on three major sanctioning bodies is great. I know I won’t stop until I become world champion.
“I’m always at the gym thinking about the next challenge. I say it’s time. I love what I do. I am very grateful to God for being in this situation. I believe in God’s plan for me to become world champion.”
“It’s definitely going to be an explosive fight,” commented Up-to-date York attorney Keith Sullivan, who co-manages Donovan with former world middleweight champion Andy Lee, who is also Paddy’s head trainer. “Two tough, resilient Irishmen who have a lot to prove to the world. We were worried about the injury, but we are sure it will not be a problem during the March 1 battle. Paddy is locked down and training difficult under the watchful eye of coach Andy Lee.
Donovan has dedicated several of his recent fights to Pieta, using his boxing platform to promote the suicide prevention charity, which provides mental health services across Ireland. Paddy lost two relatives to suicide. The Pietra Crisis Helpline, at 1-800-247-247, offers crisis intervention support 24 hours a day, 365 days a year to anyone experiencing suicidal thoughts or self-harm, as well as support for those grieving as a result of suicide.
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