After greater than two years of ready, bitter rivals Josh Taylor and Jack Catterall will lastly meet in a vastly anticipated rematch on the First Direct Area in Leeds on Saturday, April 27, proven stay on DAZN within the UK and world wide and solely on ESPN+ within the U.S.
The enemies have been embroiled in a heated disagreement since February 2022 after they met on an unforgettable evening at The OVO Hydro Area in Glasgow for Taylor’s undisputed junior welterweight world title.
Intense debate has raged within the aftermath of their first struggle, when Scotland’s Taylor (19-1, 13 KOs) protected his unbeaten file with a vastly controversial break up resolution win to retain his crown.
Throughout a pulsating battle, Taylor was minimize twice by the left eye and was put down by Catterall within the eighth spherical earlier than he was deducted one level within the eleventh for punching after the bell. Catterall, in the meantime, was deducted one level for holding within the tenth.
Chorley’s ‘El Gato’ (28-1, 13 KOs) appeared to outbox Taylor for lengthy durations however finally tasted defeat for the primary time in his profession after Taylor clung onto his titles. The choice precipitated outrage amongst some boxing followers and the 2 have been at loggerheads ever since.
Following his conflict with Catterall, ‘The Tartan Twister’ relinquished his WBC, IBF and WBA world titles as a result of pending obligatory orders – after which misplaced his WBO crown to a resurgent Teofimo Lopez in New York Metropolis final June.
Catterall ended a 15-month ring absence by broadly outpointing Irishman Darragh Foley over ten-rounds on the Manchester’s AO Area in Could 2023 earlier than sending multi-weight world champion Jorge Linares into retirement after dominating the Venezuelan legend over 12 rounds in Liverpool final October.
In what is among the most eagerly anticipated rematches in trendy British boxing historical past, the fierce rivals will go head-to-head as soon as extra in a 12-round junior welterweight contest on impartial territory – with loads of dangerous blood and animosity assured in a blockbuster build-up.
“I’ve by no means run from anybody in my life, particularly not Jack Catterall,” Taylor mentioned. “He has spent the final two years operating from promoter to promoter whereas residing off my title. Jack needs to be cautious what he needs for as a result of he’s getting battered on April 27. I’m going to take pleasure in each second of this. See you quickly, Jack.”
“I’ve wished this struggle for the reason that second the scorecards bought learn out in Glasgow,” Catterall mentioned . “Just a few folks say ‘transfer on Jack’, and that’s simple to say to while you’re not in my place. I get requested each day of my life a number of occasions a day, ‘when are you combating Taylor once more?’. This isn’t about belts, that is private to me, and I can’t wait to get my arms on him. I don’t like him, I don’t respect him and on April 27 I’m going to finish him.”
“I’m so comfortable to get this struggle made,” mentioned Matchroom Sport Chairman Eddie Hearn. “British boxing has been crying out for a giant struggle and now we glance to settling the rating of one of the vital bitter rivalries within the sport. It will likely be almost 2 years to the day since their controversial ndisputed struggle and never a day has previous the place opinion and debate has not ensued. The pair have engaged in a forwards and backwards stuffed with hatred and now the time has come to lastly meet once more in Leeds on April 27. Regardless of the affords to stage this struggle on PPV, I’m proud that Matchroom and DAZN have stepped up make this struggle out there to subscribers as a part of their subscription and I can’t await the extreme construct up and an enormous occasion on April 27.”
“That is the final word grudge match between two of the world’s high 140-pounders,” mentioned High Rank Chairman Bob Arum. “These two warriors will settle the rating in entrance of what I’m positive can be an unimaginable crowd in Leeds. Should you take a look at Josh Taylor’s profession, he has by no means, ever backed down from a problem, and he can be in peak type on April 27.”
An announcement on ticket particulars will observe quickly.
