JACK CATTERALL admitted to feeling a lot of relief after last night’s win over Josh Taylor as he now turns his attention to challenging for a world title in the future.
The 30-year-old defeated the former undisputed super-lightweight champion by unanimous decision in Leeds, 27 months after he lost a controversial split decision to Taylor in Scotland.
While no titles were on the line in the rematch, the bout was a defining moment in Catterall’s career.
“Big feeling of relief for me tonight,” he told Boxing News.
“Been a long time coming, a lot of back and forth. A lot of talk about Josh Taylor over the last couple years. Finally nice to beat him and squash all them questions.”
Judges Mark Bates, Lee Every and Kieran McCann returned scorecards of 117-111, 116-113 and 117-111 all to Catterall, 29-1 (13 KOs), after a pulsating 12-round battle. Catterall was a worthy winner in the eyes of many, but in the second half of the fight, Taylor fought back admirably. However, it was too little, too late for the 33-year-old.
“I felt like I controlled a lot of the rounds,” Catterall said.
“I felt like I won the fight clearly, I think there were rounds where I probably stepped off the gas and give him some opportunities, but I had myself winning comfortably tonight.
“There’s always that weird feeling though after the fight we had first time where I felt like I won clearly, didn’t get the decision, but got the right decision tonight.
“I beat him. There’s been mention about these scorecards. Obviously, I’ll watch the fight back and I’ll judge it myself, but I believe I won.”
Catterall’s promoter, Eddie Hearn, now wants to push his fighter towards a second world title opportunity. As things stand ‘El Gato’ is ranked number six with the WBO, three with the IBF, five with the WBC and four with the WBA. Champions Teofimo Lopez, Subriel Matias, Devin Haney and Isaac Cruz all have title defences on the horizon in the coming weeks and months. Hearn’s Matchroom stable is filled with world-class talent at 140lbs, ensuring another big fight for Catterall won’t be too far away.
“I want one of the world titles, I want to win a world title, I believe I can do that,” Catterall said.
“Lopez, Haney, Matias, a lot of great fights to be made.”