Rivals Josh Taylor and Jack Catterall had their first press conference out of two this week starting off in Edinburgh, Scotland.
The pair met for the first time 2 years on from their controversial fight in which Taylor won via split decision which caused nationwide outrage.
The press conference was lively and had a tense atmosphere with Sam Jones getting a hostile reception every time he spoke. For a Monday afternoon at 1:30, there were big numbers with some not managing to get in. Luckily I got a standing view.
Catterall has had two fights since his decision defeat to Taylor, firstly beating a tricky Darragh Foley, He held on to his British title in October, when the 30-year-old had a unanimous decision victory over veteran Jorge Linares.
A foot injury on Taylor’s side delayed the rematch from taking place last year and Catterall is relishing the chance to finally avenge his defeat.
Jack Catterall Grabs Josh Taylor at Press Conference
He said: “It’s been a long time coming, I’m excited now it feels real being here today. I got a warm welcome on the way but that’s obviously changed now. I believe I won last time and we’re two years on now.”
“I don’t believe that he wanted to fight me but he’s here now and I’m going to smash his head in come April 27th. I’ve stayed in the gym and have picked up two victories since then whilst he went to New York and got smashed, I believe he is on the decline. I’m going to capitalise on that and put him to bed. Without a shadow of a doubt, I am coming in there to do damage.”
Taylor has only fought once since his Catterall fight in a defeat to Teofimo Lopez in Madison Square Garden in New York City. Taylor made an impressive start to the fight, but Lopez took command in the second half to secure the WBO super-lightweight belt with scores of 115-113, 115-113 and 117-111.
Taylor said: “They’ve billed it ‘Hate runs strong’ but I don’t hate anyone, I just don’t like this guy and I can’t wait to smash his brains in. I picked up a bad injury and it took a long time to get over it. I fought a mandatory whilst he fought a nobody and fought a 40-year-old and still couldn’t put him away.”
Fight Stipulations
Before the fight got signed, there were a lot of conditions that needed to be adhered to so both Taylor and Catterall could agree for the rematch to commence. Most of this talk has been publicised on X. For instance, a user questioning if the fight had not been signed due to a disagreement on ring size and locker room – which Catterall responded with a laughing face.
At the press conference today, Catterall asked: “Why did [Josh Taylor] want a bigger ring?”
The Scot replied: “Because I like a bigger ring. Your feet are sh*t. You think I am going to be running away do you?”
A heated Sam Jones also posed the same question, but he was shut down by Taylor, with the former world champion replying, “Does it matter?”
Catterall was waiting in the middle of the stage for his face-off with Taylor after their press conference and he was greeted with a hand on his chest from his rival. Security was keeping a close eye on the pair, but Catterall then grabbed Taylor by the throat before they were kept apart from each other.
27th of April at the First Direct Arena in Leeds. DAZN will be showing it live as part of their monthly subscription.
Ticket Dates
Phase 1) Matchroom Fight Pass * & Venue Presale
Thurs 22nd Feb > Phase 2) Matchroom Priority
Fri 23rd Feb > Phase 3) General Sale
How does the upcoming clash between Jack Catterall and Josh Taylor unfold? Let us know in the comments!
Featured image credits to Embed from Getty Images
