Josh Taylor admitted this week that his last two fights have not produced the real ‘Tartan Tornado’ as he prepares for that massive grudge rematch vs Jack Catterall in Leeds on April 27.
After two years of waiting, the second meeting between the British super-lightweight stars is finally on (live on DAZN), after Taylor (19-1) claimed a controversial split-decision success in their first meeting in Glasgow. Many experts felt Catterall did more than enough to get the victory.
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Since then though the former undisputed world champion at 140lbs has lost his belts and his unbeaten professional record, at the hands of Teofimo Lopez in New York last June. He dropped a unanimous decision to ‘The Takeover’, 115-113 on two scorecards and 117-111 on the other.
Taylor though says he sustained an injury in the build-up to that fight, one which hampered his leg work and sparring. Then on fight night, he said his legs were “gone” after the first four rounds. Trainer Joe McNally backed up those words at Tuesday’s Manchester press conference.
McNally on Taylor vs Lopez
“There were a few things that needed addressing in the camp with Teofimo, he said.
“I personally think we shouldn’t have gone ahead with the fight off the injury that he had. But it was one of those fights that a round here or there, we wouldn’t be sitting here right now, he’d be fighting a Devin Haney or Gervonta Davis. We never got the decision so we’re sitting here because of Josh, not Jack, that’s a fact. I’m excited for it and to go into this one all guns blazing.”
The rematch with Catterall should be an all-British blockbuster, and McNally is hopefully his man will get the right circumstances this time to return to his very best.
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“I’m 100 per cent confident in Josh. the first fight was a cracker and I just hope that we get the opportunity for Josh to showcase his skills, Jack with his counter-punching and we have the right official, so there’s no holding and clinching and they let the fight flow. If we get that, we’ll get a good fight and we’ll be in for a good night.
“We’re in professional boxing, small gloves, anyone can be knocked out, but Jack isn’t a knockout puncher and that’s a fact. He couldn’t get an old, shot Jorge Linares out of there, so to think he’s going to get Josh out of there? Not a chance. I just hope he performs and he’s ready because he’s with a fantastic team, because Josh will be ready, may the best man win and we’re really confident.
