Photo Courtesy: Mikey Williams/Top Rank
LEEDS, England (May 23, 2024) —The tagline for this fight is “Hate Runs Deep,” but for former undisputed champion Josh Taylor and top contender Jack Catterall, winning is the primary mission. More than two years after they dueled for 12 rounds in Edinburgh, Scotland, Taylor and Catterall will meet in a highly anticipated junior welterweight rematch this Saturday at First Direct Arena in Leeds, England.
Scotland’s Taylor (19-1, 13 KOs) prevailed by split decision in their first fight, while Catterall (28-1, 13 KOs) and his supporters insist he deserved the verdict and Taylor’s undisputed title. After multiple postponements, the grudge match will be settled, putting to bed two-plus years of debate.
Taylor-Catterall 2 and select undercard fights will stream live and exclusively in the U.S. on ESPN+ starting at 3:15 p.m. ET/12:15 p.m. PT.
Here’s what the main event fighters and their trainers said at Thursday’s press conference.
Josh Taylor
“Look at the history of boxing. All the great fighters of the past have taken defeats and come back and won world titles again. Just because you take one defeat doesn’t mean you’re a finished fighter. I think that’s where boxing has taken a turn for the worse because when a fighter takes a loss, everyone goes, ‘Ah, he’s finished,’ and stuff like that. In the UFC, there are fighters with 20 fights and 10 losses, and they are still at the top of the game. Just because you take a loss doesn’t mean you’re a bad fighter. I still feel like I’m at the top of the game, and on Saturday, I’ll take care of business, and I’ll be back in the picture to recapture my titles.”
“The last fight was a stinker for both of us. Jack did a lot of holding and spoiling and slowing the pace down. I was very poor as well. So, I believe the two of us can be a lot better. It will be a better fight for the fans. Expect that on Saturday as well. I feel it’s going to be a great fight and a barnburner. The arena — I was in there on Monday — and, wow, I got a bit of a surprise. The fans are right on top of you, so it’s going to be a great experience and a great atmosphere in there. I’m looking forward to it.”
On Catterall predicting a stoppage between rounds 7-9
“Good. Let him think that. If he wants to do that, great. Absolutely fantastic. Music to my ears.”
“I don’t really care how I win this fight, whether it’s by points or stoppage. The way I’ve been performing in the gym, the shots I’ve been throwing and catching people with… if I catch him with these shots, it will be over. It will be devastating for him. But we’ll see what happens. It’s just a win for me.”
Joe McNally (Taylor’s trainer)
“It’s one of the biggest shows of this year, and I’m expecting a magnificent contest, a vintage Josh Taylor performance, a good victory. I just hope and pray that there is no controversy.”
“I hope they both get to show the best of their abilities and give a fantastic performance for the fans. I can see nothing but Josh Taylor turning up Saturday night and coming away with that nice victory.”
Jack Catterall
“We’ve had the delays, the setbacks, but it’s fight week. We’re here in Leeds. It’s exciting, and I’ve done all the hard work. We’re two days now from fighting, so it’s very real, and I’m very much looking forward to it.”
“We both know what stands in front of us now. We’re fighting on Saturday. All the talking is done. We’ve had the buildup. The fight is sold. Obviously, we don’t see eye to eye. I think we’re ready to make weight and fight.”
“It’s a must-win Saturday. That’s what all my energy is focused on. I don’t want to talk about what’s after this. I know you’ve got a great division at 140. There’s a lot of big fights to be made. And that’s an exciting prospect, but right now, all I can think about is beating Josh on Saturday.”
Jamie Moore (Catterall’s Trainer)
“My confidence is in Jack Catterall. I’m not really concerned with anything else because I know what he’s done. I know how he’s prepared. He’s ready to go.”
“This is what boxing is all about. There’s nothing I love more than a British rivalry.”
Saturday, May 25
LIVE ON ESPN+ (3:15 p.m. ET/12:15 p.m. PT)
Josh Taylor vs. Jack Catterall 2, 12 rounds, Junior Welterweight
Cheavon Clarke vs. Ellis Zorro, 12 Rounds, Vacant British Cruiserweight Title
Paddy Donovan vs. Lewis Ritson, 10 rounds, Welterweight
