Anybody up for a 3rd battle?
Jack Catterall, who needed to settle for a controversial defeat the primary time he fought then-undisputed 140-pound champion Josh Taylor, defeated his rival by a unanimous choice in a non-title rematch Saturday night time in Leeds, England.
The official scores have been 117-111, 117-111 and 116-112. Boxing Junkie scored it 115-113 for Catterall, seven rounds to 5.
“It’s bitter candy tonight,” Catterall mentioned. “No world titles. I gained the battle. We will shut that chapter with Josh Taylor.”
Many consider that Catterall deserved the nod within the first assembly, in February 2022 in Taylor’s native Scotland. Nonetheless, Taylor gained a cut up choice.
Few will declare that Taylor was robbed on Saturday, though his U.S. promoter Bob Arum known as the scoring “a shame” and vowed by no means to carry an American fighter to the U.Okay. once more.
The scoring most likely was too one-sided given the competitiveness of the battle, together with quite a few rounds that have been troublesome to attain.
Catterall (29-1, 13 KOs) managed the primary half of the bout, taking the motion to his opponent, usually beating him to the punch and touchdown the tougher photographs.
Nonetheless, Taylor, evidently conscious that victory was getting away from him, rallied within the second half by shifting into one other gear. He matched his rival punch for punch and had him backing up at occasions down the stretch.
Catterall most likely landed the largest blow of the night time — an enormous left halfway via Spherical 11 that rocked Taylor — however he couldn’t end Taylor off.
In the long run, Catterall’s capacity to dictate the tempo and land the cleaner photographs evidently earned him the largest victory of his profession.
He was nervous but additionally assured within the moments earlier than the choice was introduced.
“I felt that feeling final time,” he mentioned. “This time it went loads faster and was extra conclusive. There was a protracted wait final time, however I knew I’d achieved it [on Saturday].”
Taylor (19-2, 13 KOs) wasn’t as vociferous as Arum in his condemnation of the scoring however the former champion believes the fallacious man had his hand raised.
“I believed I simply nicked the battle, to be truthful,” mentioned Taylor, who misplaced his titles to Teofimo Lopez in his earlier bout. “It was a detailed battle. The controversy of the primary battle most likely performed into the judges palms. …
“Hear, truthful play to Jack. He gained the battle. Let’s do a 3rd one. Why not? That was a superb battle.”
Catterall was requested afterward whether or not he’d do it once more with Taylor. “Over to Ed,” he mentioned, nodding towards promoter Eddie Hearn, who was standing subsequent to him within the ring.
Hearn appeared to counsel that Catterall-Taylor III gained’t come instantly. As a substitute, Catterall, who has by no means gained a world title, will pursue one.
“The third battle is an enormous battle however he deserves to be world champion. That’s obtained to be the main target,” he mentioned. “We’re deep at 140. Subriel Matias fights Liam Paro developing. We’ve obtained Devin Haney towards Sandor Martin.
“I’d like to see this man problem and rightfully win a world championship.”
