Josh Taylor and Jack Catterall both played their rivalry down as they weighed in for Saturday’s rematch at Leeds’ First Direct Arena.
They finally fight, little over two years after the controversy of Taylor being awarded a split decision to retain his undisputed super-lightweight titles, in a non-title contest after Taylor weighed in at 139.6lbs, and Catterall at 139.8lbs.
Taylor was booed by the Catterall fans present at Leeds’ The Queens Hotel, though he stepped on the scales with support of his own – before the lengthy staredown during which they retained their composure despite consistently exchanging words.
“It’s just another fight tomorrow night,” the 33-year-old said. “I can’t wait. All the talking’s done. I can’t wait for tomorrow now. I’m glad it’s finally here.
“I will look good tomorrow, and I’ll look good winning – I’ll look good doing the job. I’m fully confident – I can’t wait to get in there tomorrow night and put it all to bed. A comprehensive Josh Taylor win.”
“That’s all the talking done now,” said Catterall, 30. “Fully focused, Saturday night. It’s gonna be one hell of a fight.
“Nothing really being said. Handbags, really. We’re both ready to fight now. That’s all that needs to be said.
“All the hard work I’ve put in – it’s been a long camp. I’ve done everything possible, and everything’s ready to turn up tomorrow and rewrite it.
“I’m confident in my ability. Tomorrow night it’s coming back with me. Jack Catterall – victory.”
Taylor has long been expected to move to welterweight, but Eddie Hearn, of Matchroom, said: “Josh Taylor – people worried about how he’d look at 140. Don’t forget, he was the guy who asked for 140 – we expected a catchweight. He looked healthy on the scales – Jack did, as we’d expect.
“Both guys in their physical prime to give us a great night tomorrow night. You heard a small sample of the atmosphere here. Wait until tomorrow night with 11,000. It’s gonna be wild, and I think we see a great, all-British, dust-up.”
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