Bitter rivals Josh Taylor and Jack Catterall met again yesterday for their second press conference of the week.
The pair had already met and clashed yesterday lunchtime in Edinburgh’s press conference to a lively Scottish crowd and the crowd in Lancashire was equally as vocal.
Josh Taylor “I Don’t Hate Anyone” Press Conference 1
Let us first remind ourselves of the events that unfolded at the first press conference. It was clear to see both fighters couldn’t stand being in the others presence. Both men stood with a smile on their face but their masks were fooling nobody.
Catterall doesn’t believe Taylor wanted the rematch. Jack said “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”. He then went on to say “I put you on your a*** your last fight, and you got smashed in your last fight (against Teofimo Lopez)!”. Taylor responded, “You still got beat. You never done f**k all the rest of the fight!”
Was Josh Taylor All There?
In response to Taylor’s comments, Catterall, alongside many viewers claimed that perhaps Taylor was under the influence of… something. “You can’t even see straight. I’m gonna smash you to pieces.” To which Taylor replied “I can’t wait to smash his brains in”.
“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.” Taylor later in the presser went on to mock Catterall’s comments on phoning the police after his decision loss.
It was then time for the face-off. The bitter rivals clashed on stage in a coming together that didn’t really surprise anyone… except perhaps with the exception of Eddie Hearn.
Catterall was waiting in the middle of the stage for his face-off with Taylor and he was greeted with a hand on his chest from his rival following comments of Jack having “Chippy t**s”. Security were keeping a close eye on the pair but Catterall then grabbed Taylor by the throat and Taylor seemed to swipe Jack on the face, before eventually being seperated.
Press Conference Number 2
Last night’s press conference in Manchester started half an hour later than planned after Josh Taylor was stuck in traffic. It was no different than Edinburgh’s tense lively atmosphere on the stage and in the crowd. With most attending in support of Catterall. It took no time for both fighters to begin exchanging words with Catterall trying to slap Taylor after the Scot attempted to (successfully) get under his rivals skin. Taylor had made a number of comments dating back to their first fight, that Jack wasn’t the most intelligent fighter and as such, Taylor presented Catterall with a children’s coloring book.
The atmosphere in attendance showed that there is a high demand for this fight, perhaps even more so now. In fact, Eddie Hearn of Matchroom Boxing claimed that they had had more priority ticket sign ups than they had in the last 3-4 years. Tickets for the event go on priority sale today at midday. The presale will take place on Thursday and general sale will take place on Friday.
Trainers Talk
Unlike Edinburgh’s presser, both fighters were joined by their trainers. Josh Taylor was joined by Joe McNally. Whilst Jack Catterall was joined by Jamie Moore. Moore claimed this was an exciting fight and refused to pay too much attention to claims that Josh Taylor wasn’t the same fighter he once was. “This is a really good fight, I don’t believe the narrative Josh is on the slide”.
Taylor’s trainer Joe McNally says that he hopes they have the right officiating for this fight. Whilst taking shots at Catterall’s tactics in their previous bout, insisting that he hopes there will be no clinching or holding like the first fight.
Jack Catterall “It’s me Vs a P***k”
Catterall refused to be drawn into the England Vs Scotland references claiming that the fight was not about two countries but solely about the two fighters. “It’s good to get the date locked in. I keep seeing the narrative, it’s England Vs Scotland. That’s incorrect. It’s me Vs a p***k”.
Taylor again took shots at his bitter rival’s intellect with comments of, “Did you think of all that by yourself?” and “Go back to your crayons”. The Scot also claimed “I will end Jack’s career that never got going. He will never be a World Champion.”
Catterall was not shy to respond, claiming “You look like a bag head” and stating that “I think and know I’ve got his number”.
A Hostile Manchester Crowd
Every time Taylor leaned towards his microphone the crowd boo’s were deafening. “Finished yet?” Taylor shouted to crowd as they sang “Taylor’s on the p**s”.
Taylor then turned his attention to promoter Eddie Hearn saying, “He couldn’t beat me the first time & he’s not going to the second time. Eddie, you need to have a word with your man here. Three times he’s tried to put his hands on me, little rat.”
Taylor then took aim at Catterall once more claiming that Jack had “Never knocked anyone out in his life. To which Catterall responded, “Same amount of knockouts as you. Your just thick”.
The press conference ended with the usual face-off. However, the pair were kept apart this time to avoid a repeat of the previous day. Taylor and Catterall appear more than ready to go right now. Fight week is going to be electric as this fight continues to build and build.
Featured image credits to Embed from Getty Images
