Jack Catterall found redemption in his long-awaited rematch against Josh Taylor, outpointing the Scotsman over twelve thrilling rounds at the First Direct Arena in Leeds, England. Catterall emerged victorious with scores of 117-111, 117-111, and 116-113, leaving no room for controversy this time around.
The Rematch Outcome
Catterall’s victory marks a significant turnaround from their first encounter in February 2022, where many felt he deserved the win. “It is bittersweet tonight,” Catterall said. “No world titles, but I won the fight and I can close that chapter with Josh Taylor. I took more risks this time.”
Fight Highlights
Catterall (29-1, 13 KOs) controlled the early rounds with his sharp right jab, keeping Taylor at bay and setting the pace. A clash of heads in the second round caused a brief halt, but Catterall quickly regained his rhythm. Taylor (19-2, 13 KOs) showed signs of life in the third round, landing a flurry of punches and causing a bruise under Catterall's left eye.
The momentum shifted in the fourth round as Catterall took the fight to Taylor, landing powerful combinations and pinning him against the ropes in the fifth. Despite a strong comeback from Taylor in the seventh and eighth rounds, where he targeted Catterall’s body, Catterall found his second wind in the final rounds. A counter left hand in the tenth round changed the fight's course, and Catterall’s dominance in the twelfth round sealed his victory.
Future Implications
Taylor, who has now lost two straight fights, was originally scheduled to rematch Catterall early last year but faced multiple postponements due to injuries and scheduling conflicts. Taylor's previous bout against Teofimo Lopez resulted in his first career defeat, costing him his titles.
With this win, Catterall has now won three consecutive fights and is likely to eye a title shot in his next outing. “Redemption was more than two years in the making,” Catterall noted, reflecting on his journey to this pivotal victory.
Conclusion
Jack Catterall's decisive win over Josh Taylor not only redeems his controversial loss but also positions him for future title opportunities. As both fighters move forward, the junior welterweight division remains one to watch, with Catterall proving he’s a force to be reckoned with.