After greater than two years of ready, bitter rivals Josh Taylor and Jack Catterall will lastly meet in a massively anticipated rematch on the First Direct Enviornment in Leeds on Saturday April 27, proven dwell on DAZN within the UK and around the globe and completely on ESPN+ within the U.S.
The enemies have been embroiled in a heated disagreement since February 2022 after they met on an unforgettable night time at The OVO Hydro Enviornment in Glasgow for Taylor’s Undisputed Tremendous-Light-weight World Title.
Intense debate has raged within the aftermath of their first combat, when Scotland’s Taylor (19-1, 13 KOs) protected his unbeaten document with a massively controversial cut up determination factors win to retain his then-Undisputed Tremendous-Light-weight 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 in the end tasted defeat for the primary time in his profession after Taylor clung onto his titles. The choice brought on 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 on account of pending necessary 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 Enviornment in Might 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 without doubt one of 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 Tremendous-Light-weight 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,” mentioned Taylor. “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 get pleasure from each second of this. See you quickly, Jack.”
“I’ve needed this combat for the reason that second the scorecards bought learn out in Glasgow,” mentioned Catterall. “A number of individuals say ‘transfer on Jack’, and that’s straightforward to say to once you’re not in my place. I get requested day by day of my life a number of instances 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 fingers 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 blissful to get this combat made,” mentioned Matchroom Sport Chairman Eddie Hearn. “British boxing has been crying out for an enormous combat and now we glance to settling the rating of some of the bitter rivalries within the sport. It is going to be almost 2 years to the day since their controversial Undisputed combat 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 provides to stage this combat on PPV, I’m proud that Matchroom and DAZN have stepped up make this combat accessible to subscribers as a part of their subscription and I can’t anticipate the extraordinary construct up and an enormous occasion on April 27.”
“That is the last word grudge match between two of the world’s prime 140-pounders,” mentioned High Rank Chairman Bob Arum. “These two warriors will settle the rating in entrance of what I’m positive shall be an unbelievable crowd in Leeds. If you happen to take a look at Josh Taylor’s profession, he has by no means, ever backed down from a problem, and he shall be in peak type on April 27.”
“What an unbelievable combat this shall be,” mentioned Alfie Sharman, VP, DAZN. “It has all of the makings of a basic – a cracking again story, an explosive build-up and what shall be an unmissable combat night time. From first to final bell anticipate fireworks. DAZN now enter a run of unrivalled exhibits spanning the globe, that includes the most important names in the very best matchups with Taylor vs. Catterall 2 being one of many many excessive factors. Watch it on DAZN April 27.”
