RESULT: Jack Catterall defeated Josh Taylor by unanimous decision in 12 rounds. Judges Kieran McCann and Mark Bates scored 117-111 in favor of the Chorley man, while Lee Every narrowly edged it to 116-113. Kevin Parker is the referee.
IMPORTANT TIMES: A clash of heads in the second round would have been crucial, but both men escaped unscathed. The end of the fourth round and the start of the fifth round were tight moments for Catterall, who planted his feet and landed heavy shots.
Looking tired in the sixth round, Taylor came back with a seven.
Round 11 was a turning point as Taylor clawed hard before landing a big left hand on the square. Another left late in the round had Taylor moving. Great swing. It turns out that Catterll has found the rounds in the bag.
RECORDS: Catterll improved his record to 29-1 (13 KOs). Taylor suffered his second loss, falling to 19-2 (13 KOs).
TALKING POINT: In the beginning, the rounds were hard to score as the pressure was on. Taylor won the round, then Catteral responded by taking the next.
Everything Catterll did well came from his beloved southpaw. Usually when it was tiring, Jack’s backfoot combinations landed in the right places at the right times.
Taylor was hurt several times, but fatigue aside, Catterall didn’t seem shaken at any point. Catterll claimed the big moments in the tournament.
Taylor’s promoter Bob Arum spoke badly during the interview, saying that he would never allow the American to cross the pond to fight under the BBofC-judged championships.
QUOTABLE: “It’s fun tonight. There are no world titles on the line, I have closed that chapter,” said Catterll.
“We wanted Josh to do everything he could and that’s what we got.”
Promoter Eddie Hearn added: “Jack Catterall won that fight, he closed out the show well. I love Scotland but justice has been done tonight. He should have belts around his waist.”
“If he wants to continue fighting for world titles [that’s his choice], he won the battle,” said Josh Taylor. “Let’s make a trilogy. There was always respect.”
WHAT HAPPENS NEXT? The hatred may not be that deep but the relationship did not melt as they waited for a decision.
Eddie Hearn was right when he said that although revenge had been earned, the fact that no world titles (let alone a fourth) were on the line made it a bittersweet moment for the winner.
Despite all the talk of the trilogy, becoming a world champion remains Catterall’s goal. Hearn named Subriel Matias, who will defend his IBF title on June 15, and the winner of the Devin Haney vs. Sandor Martin bout as possible futures.
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