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Why Josh Taylor and Jack Catterall hate each other ahead of their blockbuster fight

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Josh Taylor and Jack Catterall will finally settle their fierce rivalry on Saturday when the British welterweight contenders put everything on the line in Leeds. The feud between the pair, fueled by a highly controversial decision in Taylor’s favor in 2022, evokes memories of the great British boxing rivalries of recent years, whether Froch-Groves or Haye-Bellew.

However, the animosity between Taylor and Catterall is completely organic. Promoter Eddie Hearn no doubt picks up on the contempt between the challengers that made this long-awaited rematch such an simple sell – the event is titled Hate Runs Deep – but it’s not staged or produced; these men really can’t stand each other and sparks flew in their first fight, and two years ago they continued to weigh in when Catterall wrapped his hand around Taylor’s throat.

Taylor entered the fight as the clear favorite, but “El Gato” gave the performance of his life and it seemed certain that he would realize his world title dreams when the final bell rang. However, the enormous majority of viewers were stunned when Taylor claimed a split decision victory in Glasgow to retain the undisputed lightweight title, despite losing to Chorley native Catterall in the eighth round and having a point deducted in the eleventh round for punching after the fight. bell.

Taylor was outnumbered for long stretches of the fight and further irritated Catterall’s supporters when he defiantly declared that immediately after the fight he believed he was the clear winner. However, the British Boxing Board of Control disagreed with referee Ian John-Lewis’ downgrade due to his controversial scorecard, which saw Taylor win by three rounds. Catterall’s coach Jamie Moore said the “attack” left him “heartbroken”.

Fans demanded an immediate rematch, but it did not happen. Instead, Taylor defended his Ring Magazine crown against Teofimo Lopez 11 months ago, losing by unanimous decision at the Madison Square Garden Theater and tasting defeat for the first time in his career. Meanwhile, Catterall was more lively, allowing him wins over Darragh Foley and Jorge Linares.

Catterall, however, was only interested in another criticism of Taylor, which was to come in April, but the Scot suffered an eye injury during training. But on Saturday evening the conversation ended. Friday’s weigh-in was peaceful compared to the opening news conference in February, when Catterall grabbed Taylor by the throat for a second time and was dragged away by security.

Instead, both fighters came face to face and exchanged a few choice words before posing and leaning in for the cameras, apparently saving their energy for what was shaping up to be a blockbuster clash in Leeds. Catterall will be deeply frustrated that the world title is not on the line this time, but the chance for revenge will be a fitting consolation.

“He’s not my type of person,” Catterall said. “I don’t think we would go for a coffee or a beer. I just don’t like him. I can’t wait to stop talking about him. I want to beat him by all means possible. I want it to be tardy and painful, but I also want to knock him out. He should be cheerful about this, it’s probably his last fight. There’s no place to hide Josh. A rival, an enemy – that’s what Josh Taylor is to me. The judges can’t save him. I can’t fucking wait.

Taylor replied, “I don’t care how I win this fight, by points or stoppages, how I perform in the gym, what shots I take and catch people, if I catch him with those shots it’s going to be over and it’s going to be devastating for him. But we’ll see what happens, for me it’s just a victory. It’s a must-win, it’s bragging rights, it’s like, ‘I told you I’m better than you,’ so I can’t wait.”

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UK Boxing

The rules for the Tommy Fury vs. Darren Till fight appear and mock Mike Tyson vs. Jake Paul

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Tommy Fury and Darren Till’s fight has been confirmed as a heavyweight bout, and both will wear 10oz gloves during eight three-minute rounds – in line with conventional boxing rules and regulations.

That’s a far cry from the Jake Paul-Mike Tyson fight, which was ruled a professional fight by the Texas Athletic Commission under bizarre circumstances.

In last Friday’s fight, the two fought despite a 31-year age difference – doing so wearing 14-ounce gloves and shooting eight two-minute rounds. In almost all men’s professional fights, boxers must fight in three-minute rounds.

Paul’s fight with Tyson continues to be heavily criticized as he admits he didn’t want to knock out his legendary opponent, believing he posed little threat as the fight progressed. He later admitted that Fury punches harder than Tyson.

Meanwhile, Fury will look to maintain his undefeated record following victories over KSI and Paul over the past 18 months as he returns to the ring against former UFC star Till.

The younger brother of Tyson Fury, the 25-year-old had aspirations to become world boxing champion and follow in the footsteps of the legendary heavyweight fighter.

However, over the past two years, he has moved away from his conventional route of fighting professional boxers, instead taking on influencers and social media stars – and now he’s doing it again, facing Till in the former UFC’s first boxing fight.

On Tuesday, they came face to face for the first time, and tempers flared between them, with Tommy’s father, John, getting involved – standing up and throwing a drink at Till.

Till threatened to turn the boxing fight into a mixed martial arts event, telling Fury: “I didn’t see him that much, I know he fought some pros, but I didn’t see him that much. I’m just going to destroy him, do an absolute trick with him, knock him down and destroy him. And he knows it.

“No one here is a threat to me. I’m an MMA fighter, so if I have to kick or elbow you in the face, I will and no one will do anything about it. End of the day if I can.” If I don’t punch you I’ll just kick you in the face, how about I kick you right in the face, you won’t know what hit you, if I fight and I do that I lose, I’ll kick him in the face.”

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UK Boxing

Jake Paul responds when Daniel Dubois calls him out

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Paul overcame Tyson in Texas on Friday Photo Credit: Esther Lin/Most Valuable Promotions

Jake Paul accepted Mike Tyson's invitation. Photo: Amanda Westcott/Most Valuable Promotions/Mark Robinson Matchroom Boxing
Jake Paul accepted Mike Tyson’s invitation. Photo: Amanda Westcott/Most Valuable Promotions/Mark Robinson Matchroom Boxing

Jake Paul has been given a shocking chance to win the world heavyweight title after Daniel Dubois became the next gigantic name to challenge him following his victory over Mike Tyson.

IBF heavyweight title, Dubois joined the undisputed featherlight heavyweight champion, Artur Beterbiew giving Paul a straight shot at a maiden world title.

In an Instagram DM that “The Problem Child” leaked to his 4.7 million followers on X, Dubois said: “Hi Jake.

“Good deal on the weekend, but how would you feel fighting for the legitimate heavyweight championship of the world?

“This is Daniel Dubois calling you.

“Let’s get on with it.”

Paul beat Tyson in Texas on Friday. Photo: Esther Lin/Most Valuable Promotions
Paul beat Tyson in Texas on Friday. Photo: Esther Lin/Most Valuable Promotions

The two know each other, and Dubois fought on the undercard of Paul’s first win over Tyron Woodley already in August 2021

The 27-year-old who did it heavyweight debuton Friday at AT&T Stadium, easily defeating former undisputed heavyweight champion Tyson (58), accepted the Londoner’s offer, while apparently rejecting Beterbiev’s call.

“The man has been boxing for 12 years, he has fought over 100 fights between amateurs and professionals and he fought on my card… hahaha,” he wrote in X.

Dubois appointed Paul. Photo: Mark Robinson Matchroom Boxing
Dubois appointed Paul. Photo: Mark Robinson Matchroom Boxing

“But fuck it… I’m going to do it [my manager] Do it better [Bidarian] talk to Frank Warren [Dubois’ promoter, Frank Warren] and I’ll put you in line for the throne.

“Unlike Arthur, you have at least a few thousand fans.”

Paul is not included in any of the four main governing bodies and it seems unlikely that the typically strict IBF will approve a fight between the duo.

The Ohio player ran his professional record to 11 wins and just one loss, while Tyson suffered his first career loss by decision in his first professional appearance in nearly 20 years.

However, Dubois is yet to choose an opponent to next defend his crown after talks with Anthony Joshua about a rematch ended in failure.

“Dynamite” made his first title defense following a ruthless fifth-round stoppage over “AJ” in September at Wembley Stadium and has been linked to both Joseph Parker and Zhilei Zhang.

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UK Boxing

Mike Tyson has offered Evander Holyfield another fight as the boxing icon clarifies his stance

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Mike Tyson has rejected Evander Holyfield’s offer for a third fight, instead claiming their enduring friendship constitutes a “true” trilogy. Tyson (58) recently returned to the ring to fight an eight-round fight with 27-year-old Internet star Jake Paul on Saturday at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas.

Tyson was defeated by decision after going the entire distance with Paul, in what critics called a needy performance. During the event that marked Netflix’s entry into the boxing scene, Holyfield was a commentator.

After the fight, Holyfield expressed his desire to face Tyson again by sharing a amusing mock-up poster on social media. However, Tyson poured icy water on this idea. “I love you, brother, but the trilogy [fight] is our friendship,” wrote “Iron Mike” in an forthright response to Holyfield.

Their first meeting took place in 1996 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, where they competed for the WBA world heavyweight championship. They were both icons of world sport at the time.

Although Tyson was heavily favored at odds of five to one, Holyfield won with a dramatic knockout in the 11th round. Their high-profile rematch, which took place in 1997, also at the MGM Grand, went down in history as “The Bite Fight” after Tyson was disqualified for biting off part of Holyfield’s ear.

Tyson ended his career after further defeats to Danny Williams and Kevin McBride in 2004 and 2005, only to return in 2020 for an exhibition match against Roy Jones Jr, who did not count towards either player’s record. Jake Paul appeared on the undercard against Nate Robinson, delivering a spectacular knockout.

Four years later, Tyson and Paul faced off in front of a huge worldwide audience. According to event organizer Most Valuable Promotions, the Tyson vs. Paul main event peaked with 65 million concurrent households watching on Netflix.

Additionally, the event at Dallas Cowboys Stadium was attended by approximately 70,000 spectators, generating ticket sales of £14 million ($18 million) – double the previous Texas gate record for a combat sports competition set by Saul “Canelo” Alvarez. when he defeated Billy Joe Saunders. It is unclear whether Tyson will return to the ring. However, Paul has previously expressed his ambitions to challenge Canelo and even compete in MMA.

Holyfield (62) had his last professional fight in 2011 at the age of 48, although his last exhibition fight was in 2021. In 2015, he also fought former US presidential candidate Mitt Romney during a charity event.

He is the only four-time world heavyweight champion, holding the unified WBA, WBC and IBF titles from 1990 to 1992, the WBA and IBF titles again from 1993 to 1994, and the WBA title for the third time from 1996 to 1999; IBF title for the third time from 1997 to 1999 and WBA title for the fourth time from 2000 to 2001.

In addition to consecutive victories over Tyson, Holyfield also defeated George Foreman, Larry Holmes and Buster Douglas – months after Douglas ended Tyson’s undefeated streak in 1990.

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