JOSH TAYLOR PROMISES 'PAINFUL NIGHT' FOR BITTER RIVAL JACK CATTERALL AFTER TWO-YEAR FEUD

For Josh Taylor, it's been a long two years of bad blood, pointed accusations, injury problems, and media scepticism. And as he builds up towards his highly anticipated rematch with Jack Catterall on May 25 in Leeds, the man dubbed the 'Tartan Tornado' is in a vehement mood. At 33, and a former undisputed super lightweight champion, he is well used to proving people wrong and yet, never before has been so determined to silence doubters.

Of course, the Taylor and Catterall story so far is tainted by a widely perceived anomaly. Their first bout in Glasgow in February 2022, when Taylor's previously held titles were on the line, went the way of the champion. It was verdict that sparked widespread outrage, with Catterall perceived to have been superior over 12 rounds having dropped his opponent in the eighth round and cut him over his left eye.

A scheduled rematch was scuppered by an injury to the Scot, and even this month's clash has been delayed so he could address an eye issue. And merely a fortnight away from an opportunity to prove his initial win was no 'robbery', Taylor's demeanour reflects a man hell-bent on setting the record straight.

"I'm feeling great and everything is 100 per cent," he exclusively told Express Sport. "I had the injury back in January last year which took a long while to get over and then obviously the procedure on my eyes back in February. But now I'm feeling great, awesome, fantastic. Like I'm on fire. I can't wait for the fight now and everything has come together nicely."

You sense for Taylor, the 21st fight of his professional career isn't just about performing. It's personal. It's a notion he makes no effort to hide when asked about how he envisages the night going at the Direct Arena. "It's just a Josh Taylor win no matter what," he replies.

"Whether it is a points decision or whether it's a quick blast or knockout. there's a lot of bad blood between us. And no matter what I would like to make it a very painful night for him."

And what of the criticism? The social media jibes? The insinuation that he's avoided his English rival in fear he won't be so fortunate this time around? It all seemingly stirs Taylor, but has not derailed his focus.

"You know what it's just more fuel to the fire, I just use it to motivation," he said. "It doesn't wind me up or get me down or anything like that. It's motivated me to say 'I can't wait to shut you all up and prove a lot of you wrong'. I can't wait."

And yet, he also seeks to clarify matters with the air of a man at the end of his tether with rash narratives. A rematch was due in February 2023 but fate, not to mention the authorities, would intervene. "What a lot of the people are forgetting, especially the little trolls online, we had the fight done (a rematch) straight away," he argues.

"People say I'm running away and ducking and all that, I find it absolutely hilarious. Do people not use their brains? They're really quick to forget. We actually had the fight lined up and were going to announce it on the Liam Smith v Chris Eubank first fight (January 2023). But I picked up that bad injury on my plants fascia tendon, and I had to tell Ben Shalom 'look I think I've done something bad here'."

A subsequent scan confirmed Taylor's fears. But rather than wait for him to heal and set an amended date, Shalom and Catterall went in a different direction and lined up an alternative bout. It was a development that would lead to Taylor losing his belts in the first defeat of his pro-career.

"Then the WBO comes in and organises me to fight Teofimo Lopez for my mandatory defence. Ben Shalom and Jack could have it sorted a new date for a rematch but that was down to them not me. Instead of waiting until I got my foot right they went and jumped the gun. So I had to do my mandatory defence and that's not my fault is it?"

The defeat to Lopez still rankles of course, as does Taylor's admission that regardless of the result, he under-performed first time around against Catterall. And that's why he refuses to look too far ahead, an error he claims nearly cost him dear first time around.

He adds: "There are big fights out there but I'm just focussed on beating Jack on May 25. That's all I'm focussing on. But if this does turn out to be a great and an entertaining fight and a win for me, there'll be an appetite for a third fight.

"Or will there be an appetite for me to go for Lopez again and right that wrong? Will there be an appetite for me to fight Ryan Garcia or Devon Haney? So there's a lot of big fights out there and it's an exciting horizon. But I'm not thinking about that, I made that mistake in the lead-up to the first fight with Jack and I've learned my lesson."

It's safe to assume that when Taylor steps into the arena for the super-lightweight contest this month that he won't be plagued by complacency. Undoubtedly one of the greatest of his generation in his own weight divisions, Taylor has spent the best part of 27 months in previously known territory - dealing with doubters and sceptics. But the chance to redefine the past two-and-a-half-years of his career is nearly upon him, and with no shortage of focus or intensity, you sense he knows it.

The fight promoted by Matchroom and Top Rank Boxing is available to watch on ESPN+ in the U.S. and DAZN around the world.

2024-05-09T11:40:49Z dg43tfdfdgfd