Somewhat over two years in the past, Josh Taylor and Jack Catterall competed in one of the vital controversial fights in current reminiscence, with Taylor getting cut up resolution scores over Catterall in Glasgow, a choice unhealthy sufficient — and in a sufficiently big struggle — that it sparked real disgust and outrage inside the boxing world, not simply from the surface pundits and followers.
Since then, the rematch has been signed and scheduled solely to fall via a number of occasions. On Saturday, with the concept as chilly because it’s been for the reason that resolution was learn in 2022, the 2 meet once more.
Will Taylor (19-1, 13 KO) repeat the victory, this time with extra folks agreeing he really earned it? Or can Catterall (28-1, 13 KO) get the nod this time, and put this concern behind him for good?
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Scott Christ (22-4)
Going with my coronary heart over my head right here, partly as a result of they’re each slightly silly and the center could be smarter any given week. I’m one of many overwhelming majority who really believes Catterall deserved the win over Taylor a pair years in the past, however I additionally kinda chalk that as much as Taylor being, like, fairly unhealthy on the evening. Catterall didn’t do something unusually good for him; he by no means does. He’s all the time precisely Jack Catterall. He doesn’t have off nights, however he additionally doesn’t appear to have a capability to go to a gear we haven’t seen, whether or not he’s combating Tyrone McKenna or Ohara Davies, Abderrazak Houya or Darragh Foley, or Josh Taylor or Jorge Linares
Having that form of consistency is nothing to sneeze at, although; lots of fighters would profit drastically from it. Since that first struggle, Catterall has overwhelmed the aforementioned Foley and Linares, whereas ready on Taylor to truly present up for a rematch. Taylor has fought simply as soon as, shedding to Teofimo Lopez a couple of 12 months in the past. He didn’t look good within the Lopez struggle, and I get the sensation that at 33 and with a number of high-level, robust fights behind him, he’s simply previous his finest for good.
I do suppose Taylor has the upper ceiling, even nonetheless. A centered, in-shape, properly-prepared Taylor can and certain will beat Catterall for actual on Saturday. However I’m going with Catterall as a result of I wish to, mainly, and if Taylor actually is simply previous it, then Catterall ought to win, given what we’ve seen of this matchup earlier than. Catterall UD-12
Wil Esco (19-7)
Once I take into consideration this struggle I may help however nonetheless really feel that the perfect model of Taylor is at the very least a stage above the perfect model of Catterall. Taylor, in fact, has clearly been previous his finest kind in current outings so naturally there’s going to be lots of perception that he’s principally a shot fighter. I do suppose whereas Taylor might by no means be in true classic kind once more, I additionally consider he’s taking Catterall far more critically this time round and can flip up higher than we’ve seen him recently.
Then there’s the query in regards to the accidents which have been piling up on Taylor and the way match he may really be on Saturday. These issues, for me, are a bit tougher to foretell from the surface wanting in. Backside line is there’s positively loads of concern available in the event you’re a Taylor supporter, however when it comes right down to it I do suppose he’s actually simply the higher fighter of the 2. Perhaps I’m nonetheless holding onto the previous however I’m taking Taylor to win a factors resolution right here. Taylor UD-12
John Hansen (18-8)
If Taylor wasn’t very assured that he could make the 140 lb restrict and carry out regardless of the load lower, this struggle wouldn’t be taking place. And, even no matter diminished model of Josh Taylor exists now ought to have sufficient to beat the succesful however unexceptional Catterall.
Taylor ought to be on the high of no matter his recreation will be nowadays, as a victory right here might quiet the one criticisms he’s able to placing to relaxation at this stage of his profession. Except Taylor has by some means fallen all the way in which right down to second-tier home stage with out realizing it, I don’t suppose Catterall has sufficient to win (once more). Taylor UD-12
Patrick Stumberg (21-5)
I don’t purchase the argument that Taylor was overrated at his peak. You don’t overcome challengers as harmful and diverse as Postol, Baranchyk, Prograis, and Ramirez with out top-notch expertise and psychological fortitude. One thing positively broke in him after beating Ramirez, although. Whether or not it was getting excessive on his personal provide or his points with the load lower, that psychological fortitude simply isn’t there anymore. Even placing apart the primary struggle with Catterall, the e-book was out on the right way to neutralize Teofimo Lopez and Taylor solely managed to observe it for 2 rounds earlier than falling aside within the face of adversity.
Catterall, in contrast, is as dialed-in as you may get. Whereas I don’t put a ton of inventory into issues like “who desires it extra” or who’s gotten into whose head, it’s arduous to miss two years of laser-focused spite, particularly when Taylor has finished the whole lot in his energy to keep away from this actual situation. I’m much more assured in Catterall’s potential to stay centered and execute in opposition to Taylor’s model than vice-versa at this stage of their respective careers; if issues get chippy once more, it’s to Catterall’s profit. Except the Lopez loss was the shock to the system that Taylor wanted to recapture his earlier kind, I like Catterall to as soon as once more frustrate Taylor however this time get the playing cards he deserves. Catterall UD-12
