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 resolution in a non-title rematch Saturday evening in Leeds, England.
The official scores had 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 stated. “No world titles. I received the battle. We will shut that chapter with Josh Taylor.”
Many imagine that Catterall deserved the nod within the first assembly, in February 2022 in Taylor’s native Scotland. Nonetheless, Taylor received a break up resolution.
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 convey an American fighter to the U.Okay. once more.
The scoring in all probability was too one-sided given the competitiveness of the battle, together with quite a lot of rounds that had 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 pictures.
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 in all probability landed the most important blow of the evening — a giant left halfway by Spherical 11 that rocked Taylor — however he couldn’t end Taylor off.
Ultimately, Catterall’s means to dictate the tempo and land the cleaner pictures evidently earned him the most important 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 stated. “This time it went loads faster and was extra conclusive. There was an extended 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 assumed I simply nicked the battle, to be truthful,” stated Taylor, who misplaced his titles to Teofimo Lopez in his earlier bout. “It was an in depth battle. The controversy of the primary battle in all probability performed into the judges arms. …
“Pay attention, truthful play to Jack. He received the battle. Let’s do a 3rd one. Why not? That was an excellent battle.”
Catterall was requested afterward whether or not he’d do it once more with Taylor. “Over to Ed,” he stated, nodding towards promoter Eddie Hearn, who was standing subsequent to him within the ring.
Hearn appeared to recommend that Catterall-Taylor III received’t come straight away. As a substitute, Catterall, who has by no means received a world title, will pursue one.
“The third battle is a giant battle however he deserves to be world champion. That’s obtained to be the main focus,” he stated. “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.”
