UK Boxing
Josh Taylor promises a “painful night” for bitter rival Jack Catterall after a two-year dispute
Josh Taylor wants it to be a “painful” evening for Jack Catterall. (Photo: Getty)
It’s been a long two years of bad blood, harsh accusations, injury problems and media skepticism for Josh Taylor. Heading into his long-awaited rematch with Jack Catterall on May 25 in Leeds, the man nicknamed ‘Tartan Tornado’ is in a fiery mood. At 33 years elderly and a former undisputed super lightweight champion, he is used to proving people wrong, and yet never before has he been so determined to silence the doubters.
Of course, Taylor and Catterall’s track record thus far is tainted by a widely perceived anomaly. Their first fight in Glasgow in February 2022, with Taylor’s previously held titles at stake, resulted in a victory for the champion. It was a verdict that sparked widespread outrage, with Catterall seen as the better fighter within 12 rounds after he dropped his opponent and cut his left eye in the eighth round.
The planned rematch was foiled by the Scot’s injury and even this month’s clash was postponed so he could deal with an eye problem. Just two weeks before he gets the chance to prove his initial victory wasn’t a “robbery,” Taylor’s behavior reflects a man eager to set the record straight.
“I feel great and everything is 100 percent,” he exclusively said. “Last January I had an injury that took me a long time to recover from, and then of course I had eye surgery in February. But now I feel great, amazing, fantastic. Like I was on fire. I’m looking forward to this fight, everything is going nicely.”
Taylor will enter the field after suffering his first professional loss to Teofimo Lopez. (Photo: Getty)
You sense that for Taylor, the 21st fight of his professional career is about more than just performances. It’s personal. He doesn’t try to hide it when asked how he imagines an evening at Direct Arena. “It’s just a Josh Taylor win no matter what,” he replies.
“Whether it’s a points decision or a quick shot or a knockout. there is a lot of bad blood between us. And no matter what, I want this to be a very painful night for him.
What about criticism? Jokes on social media? The insinuation that he avoided his English rival for fear he wouldn’t be so lucky this time? All this seemingly agitates Taylor, but does not disturb his concentration.
“You know what it’s just more fuel for the fire, I just employ it for motivation,” he said. “It doesn’t excite me or depress me or anything like that. This motivated me to say, “I can’t wait to silence you all and prove many of you wrong.” Can’t wait.”
And yet he also tries to explain things with the expression of a man at the end of his strength, using hasty narratives. The rematch was supposed to take place in February 2023, but fate, not to mention the authorities, would intervene. “What many people forget, especially little trolls on the Internet, we immediately organized a fight (rematch),” he argues.
“People say I run away, I duck and so on. I find this absolutely hilarious. Don’t people employ their brains? They are forgotten really quickly. We actually already had the fight planned and were going to announce it during Liam Smith’s first fight against Chris Eubank (January 2023). But I had a earnest plant fascia tendon injury and I had to tell Ben Shalom, “Listen, I think I did something wrong here.”
Taylor and Jack Catterall have previously argued at press conferences. (Photo: Getty)
Another test confirmed Taylor’s fears. However, instead of waiting for him to recover and setting a recent date, Shalom and Catterall went in a different direction and arranged an alternative fight. This was the event that led to Taylor losing his belts after the first defeat of his professional career.
“Then the WBO comes and arranges me to fight Teofimo Lopez in my mandatory defense. Ben Shalom and Jack could have set a recent date for the rematch, but that was up to them, not me. Instead of waiting for me to get my foot right, they went and attacked. So I had to come out in my obligatory defense and it’s not my fault, right?”
The loss to Lopez still stings, as does Taylor’s admission that, regardless of the result, he underperformed in the first match against Catterall. And that’s why I don’t want to look too far into the future. A mistake that he says almost cost him dearly the first time.
He adds: “We have massive fights ahead of us, but I’m only focused on defeating Jacek on May 25. That’s all I focus on. However, if it turns out to be a great and thrilling fight and a win for me, I will be eager for the third fight.
Or maybe I will have the appetite to reach for Lopez again and fix my mistake? Will I have the appetite to fight Ryan Garcia or Devon Haney? So there are a lot of massive fights and it’s an thrilling horizon. But I don’t think about it, I made this mistake before the first fight with Jacek and I drew conclusions.
It’s secure to assume that when Taylor steps into the super lightweight competition arena this month, he won’t be plagued by complacency. Undoubtedly one of the greatest of his generation in his weight classes, Taylor has spent the better part of 27 months in previously familiar territory – dealing with doubters and skeptics. But the chance to redefine the last two-and-a-half years of his career is nigh and with no lack of focus or intensity, you get the feeling he knows it.
The fight, promoted by Matchroom and Top Rank Boxing, can be watched on ESPN+ in the US and DAZN worldwide.
After months of anticipation and preparation, Jake Paul defeated an understated Mike Tyson by unanimous decision at AT&T Stadium in Texas.
Tens of millions of viewers will watch Paul (11-1, 7 KO) fight Tyson (50-7, 44 KO), and part of the intrigue was to see if the 58-year-old Up-to-date Yorker could muster enough fire to upset the brash YouTuber.
That wasn’t to be, however, as “Iron Mike” looked his age in impressive fashion and was unable to catch up with the Ohio native, who was able to keep him at bay with faster feet and a longer push.
Outside of a spirited first round, Tyson had little to no success in the fight, and it looked like “The Problem Child” could have secured a stoppage at any point starting in round three.
Fortunately, he seemed reluctant to reach the finish line, whether out of pity for the exhausted legend across from him or fear of being caught by a counterattack on the way inside.
When the final bell rang, there was no longer any doubt about which hand would be raised and about the three judges standing at ringside declared Paul the broad winner.
Jake Paul bows to Mike Tyson at the end of the match. #PaulTyson pic.twitter.com/FUQGZVyADQ
— Netflix (@netflix) November 16, 2024
Taylor nods at Serrano
After the epic battle at Madison Square Garden in 2022, Katie Taylor (24-1, 6 KO) and Amanda Serrano (47-3-1, 31 KO) secured another classic in the main event.
Serrano appeared to have the advantage until she suffered a brutal cut to her eyebrow just before the halfway point, potentially taking the fight to a disappointing finish early on.
However, the doctor allowed her to continue, and the Puerto Rican showed plenty of heart to see out the final bell, achieving more than her fair share of success.
There were boos when the unanimous decision was announced for Taylor, with many observers feeling that the challenger had done enough – especially considering the Irishwoman’s points deduction in the eighth round.
10 full rounds until the last second. KATIE TAYLOR VS AMANDA SERRANO WAS CRAZY. #TaylorSerrano #PaulTyson pic.twitter.com/c2VSuoPsiX
— Netflix (@netflix) November 16, 2024
Nothing that could divide Barrios and Ramos
Defending champions Mario Barrios (29-2-1, 18 KO) and Abel Ramos Jr (28-6-3, 22 KO) took part in a welterweight world title fight that was as bloody as it was entertaining.
Both men fell and were badly injured, but dug deep to hear the final bell and leave the decision to the three judges at ringside who were unable to separate them. A draw was declared, meaning the title remains in Barrios’ hands, however an immediate rematch seems inevitable.
HELL FIGHT #BarriosRamos #PaulTyson pic.twitter.com/M9c78qc5Wn
— Netflix (@netflix) November 16, 2024
Further undercard summary
India’s favorite Neeraj Goyat (19-4-2, 8 KO) turned out to be one level better than Brazilian influencer Whindersson Nunes (0-1), defeating him decisively over six rounds.
Shadasia Green (15-1, 11 KO) and Melinda Watpool (7-1, 2 KO) fought for the super middleweight world titles, and the former came away with a razor-thin victory.
Lucas Bahdi (18-0, 15 KO) had a tougher-than-advertised fight against Italian lightweight champion Armando Casamonica (14-1, 3 KO), but he did enough to earn a majority decision victory.
In the event’s curtain raiser, heated featherweight prospect Bruce Carrington (14-0, 8 KO) was able to score points against Dana Coolwell (13-3, 8 KO).
Tony Bellew ridiculed Jake Paul’s claims that he can beat Canelo Alvarez ahead of Friday’s fight with Mike Tyson.
Bellew broken gate Wednesday’s press conference devoted to Paul’s controversial fight with Tyson, during which he ridiculed the YouTuber for fighting the nearly 60-year-old Tyson.
“The Problem Child” has repeatedly assured that one day he will not only fight, but also defeat unified super middleweight world champion Alvarez, who has only lost to Floyd Mayweather and Dmitry Bivol.
There are few, if any, in the boxing world who would give the 27-year-old a good chance of competing with the Mexican icon, widely considered one of the best of his generation.
And in an interview with MailSportBellew stated that even Paul himself did not think he could upset Alvarez.
“He really doesn’t believe he can beat Canelo.
“Listen, I’m 41 years ancient and he couldn’t lace up my gloves. Not suitable for carrying my belt.
“I’m over it, a retired boxer who plays golf a few times a week and he still has no chance with me, let alone Canelo.
“Saul “Canelo” Alvarez is probably one of the best fighters I have ever seen, he is that good.
“In terms of counter-punching, he’s probably in the top five best fighters in boxing history.
“The guy is a freak, a modern-day Thanos.
“Jake Paul says things to get a response and a reaction. If he was grave about boxing, he would face really vigorous boxers.
“Or he would face former world champions who are not grandparents!”
Paul’s fight with Tyson was met with weighty criticism, with some expressing concerns about the health of the former undisputed heavyweight champion of the world, who had to withdraw from the July 20 event due to the flare-up of an ulcer.
Despite this being a fully licensed professional fight, the pair will wear larger gloves and fight in two-minute rounds.
65,000 fans are expected to be in attendance at AT&T Stadium, with Netflix viewership estimated in the tens of millions.
Both of them turned up the heat before the fight during Thursday’s weigh-in with Tyson hitting an opponent before being thrown out by security as tempers reached fever pitch.
“Iron Mike,” who has been out of professional boxing for almost two decades, will hope to turn back the years and become the second man to defeat Paul.
Jake Paul vs. Mike Tyson – results and post-fight report
What’s next for Jai Opetaia?
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