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.
Former WBC strawweight champion Panya Pradrabsri (42-1, 27 KO) will challenge for another world title, moving up in weight to face Venezuelan Carlos Canizales (27-2-1, 19 KO) for the vacant WBC junior title junior flyweight belt.
Pradrabsri, rated No. 7 by The Ring at 105 pounds and also known by his nickname Petchmanee CPF, won the WBC strawweight title for the first time in 2020, dethroning long-reigning champion Chayaphon Moonsri (55-3, 19 KO). He successfully defended the title five times before losing it in October 2023 by unanimous decision to Japanese Yudai Shigeoka (9-1, 5 KO).
Since the loss, the 33-year-old Thai fighter has had three warm-up fights in the junior flyweight (108-pound) division, setting the stage for his upcoming showdown with Canizales. Pradrabsri, looking to regain his world champion status, will face stiff competition in the form of 31-year-old Canizales, currently rated No. 5 by The Ring at 108 pounds and a former WBA junior flyweight titleholder.
Canizales enjoys a good reputation after his victory over Ivan Garcia Balderas (12-3-1, 4 KO). Previously, the Venezuelan fought for the WBC 108-pound belt against Kenshiro Teraji (23-1, 14 KO), but lost by majority decision. Canizales also led to a draw with Japanese Ryoichi Taguchi (28-4-2, 12 KO) in a fight that took place at Ota City General Gymnasium in Tokyo.
The Pradrabsri-Canizales fight will take place in Thailand, although the exact date and place have not been confirmed yet. The fight is expected to take place in November as both fighters look to cement their place in the featherlight heavyweight division’s elite.
The 28-year-old has torn through the super bantamweight division over the past few years, winning British and European titles and scoring a string of electrifying knockouts that have improved his rankings in the IBF, WBC and WBA.
Outside the ring, Davies (16-0 (8 KO)) gained confidence and became one of the best communicators in British boxing. He was used to playing a leading role in the packed events of the Magnificent Seven at Queensberry.
It’s time for Davies to get the chance to prove he can host events on his own and become a headliner.
On November 2, at the Resorts World Arena in Birmingham, he will face the undefeated Shabaz Masoud 13:0 (4 KO).
Davies and Masoud were the only people on stage during Tuesday’s news conference opening the event. They stood in front of a giant stage promoting the fight and this opportunity seemed like a definite step up for the Donington man.
Davies knows his worth and appreciates the fact that he has been given the opportunity he has long wanted, but he always thinks about having to fight his way from the bottom in the sport. Instead of becoming complacent, he adopted an underdog mentality before fighting his elderly amateur rival.
“Most people don’t know, but it goes deeper than just fighting,” he said. “I don’t give a damn about the belt. The belt doesn’t matter. This is a fight I have to win. I sit with my back to the wall and I fucking love it. I’m ready to prove it. Liam Davies against the world. This is my motto now.”
The fight was scheduled to take place in July, but Davies contracted the virus and was forced to withdraw. Wanting to stay busy, Masoud stayed on the card and passed Marvin Solano, and a heated post-fight confrontation further increased the tension between the two.
Tuesday’s press conference was respectful, but Davies bristled when asked if he believed Masoud could test him, and dismissed the 27-year-old’s claim that he would not only win but make victory look uncomplicated.
“I don’t see it,” he said. “I fought every style. I am shown and checked on vital nights. I think he has the most vital test ahead of him. I have struggled with southpaws; punches; orthodox; awkwardness. I got through it quite comfortably. I don’t think Shabaz has ever fought someone like me as a professional.
“No one will ever have it uncomplicated with me. I know he believes he will win because we are fighters, right? We wouldn’t be here if we didn’t believe we would win, but he knows it won’t be uncomplicated. I hope so. I don’t expect it to be uncomplicated. I expect him to give his all and it will be a tough night.
“That’s what I’m preparing for, but don’t be surprised if it ends after a round or two because my punching power is ridiculous and I’m also a good boxer. I sparred with immense gloves and knocked down players. I can’t wait to get my little ones dressed and get to work.”
The skillful Masoud is talented but inconsistent, although he has beaten Davies twice in amateur competition. He spoke confidently that he was the more skillful fighter and believed his superior boxing IQ would play a significant role in deciding what happened when the first bell rang.
Davies believes his recent string of early victories has caused observers to overlook the boxing skills that led him to decision victories over the tricky Mark Leach and the threatening Ionut Baluta. He understands Masoud’s confidence, but insists he is the more well-rounded fighter and that his finishing ability will be decisive in the fight.
If he can top Masoud, Davies will be the main attraction for a while.
“He will believe it, and I wouldn’t want him to believe anything else,” he said of Masouda’s claims. “Of course I think I’m a better boxer and the fact is that I definitely punch harder. This won’t just be a boxing match. It’s a 12-round fight. We will argue. It’s the will and who wants it more sometimes. IQ is great, but you have to have a dog in you.
“I showed that I can put people together. I’m not the only one here, I’m cocky and people take it the wrong way. I’m just telling the truth. When I punch people, I can knock them out. Go and check my CV. It’s not that I’m conceited or trying to be arrogant, I’m just telling the truth. When I punch people, I can knock them out.
Women’s boxing is divided into 17 weight classes, from heavyweight to atomweight. The four main sanctioning bodies, the WBO, IBF, WBA and WBC, have champions in most divisions. To make it easier for boxing fans, below is a table showing the holders of each minor title and belt.
You can find a list of the best fighters regardless of weight class in the ESPN rankings per pound.
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