Promoter Eddie Hearn expects a war tonight in the rematch between former undisputed light welterweight champion Josh Taylor (19-1, 13 KOs) and Jack Catterall (28-1, 13 KOs) at the First Direct Arena in Leeds, England. The event will be shown live on DAZN.
After losing a controversial decision to Taylor two years ago in Glasgow, Scotland, Catterall isn’t going to want to take any chances of getting robbed a second time. He’s going to be looking to finish Taylor by knockout.
Hearn expects the rounds to be close, and they could be. Whatever advantage Taylor had over Catterall earlier in his career is now gone. Taylor has aged, and he’s not the fighter he once was.
Hearn says he heard Catterall tell Taylor at the weigh-in on Friday that his “career is over” when they meet. Both fighters’ careers are in sad shape.
This fight here might be as good as it gets for either at this point because they’re not likely to get a nice payday fighting Devin Haney, Ryan Garcia, or Teofimo Lopez. Those are the only well-paying fights for either of these guys in the division.
Heated Exchange at the Weigh-In
“They fought for the undisputed, and the controversy of two years ago is now irrelevant,” said promoter Eddie Hearn to iFL TV about Saturday night’s rematch between Jack Catterall and Josh Taylor in Leeds.
“Two great fighters ready to go to battle tomorrow night, and I think we’re going to get a cracker. Jack said, ‘You’re finished tomorrow night. Your career is over,” said Hearn on what was said between Catterall and Taylor during their face-off at the weigh-in on Friday.
Taylor’s inactivity and his terrible performance against Teofimo Lopez last year has destroyed his career. It’s impossible to believe that Taylor will be able to come back and be the fighter he was several years ago when he defeated Regis Prograis.
“Jack said, ‘Oh, you’re chirping up now, are you? And then he went to grab him around there, and Jack went for the throat again, and luckily they were kept apart. They behaved themselves. That’s what we want. No more selling of the fight,” said Hearn.
A Different Fight Expected
“You know how they feel about each other. I don’t think Josh expected much from Jack Catterall in that first fight. I don’t think he really rated him. He knows now how good Jack Catterall is. I think he’s going to fight a different fight,” said Hearn.
It could be a different fight, but you have to expect Taylor to win because he’s got the pedigree and has done more in the professional ranks than Catterall. That’s the difference in this fight.
“They’re also not going to want the fight to go to the scorecards. Although there are a few thousand Scottish there on Saturday night, there are also a lot of Jack Catterall fans. So you’re not going to want this to go 12 rounds,” said Hearn.
It would be a good idea for Taylor and Catterall to go all out trying to score a knockout tonight because the last thing they need is to lose a controversial decision.
“They’re so well-matched that if it does go 12 rounds, it’s going to be a close fight. No one is going to dominate every round of this fight. It’s impossible, but I think Jack Catterall will start nice and fast. Not allow Josh to frustrate him,” said Hearn.
Read the full article here
