JOSH TAYLOR and JACK CATTERALL saved themselves calm and composed at at present’s final press conference forward of their rematch on Saturday on the First Direct Arena in Leeds.
The rematch, two years within the making, is simply a couple of days away. And whereas there was no verbal mud thrown or makes an attempt to get bodily there was a stress that froze the room during their face-off.
After going through the cameras for customary footage the 2 super-lightweights turned to have a look at each other. At the weigh-in for the primary combat in Glasgow and on the two press conferences a number of weeks in the past in Edinburgh and Manchester all of it threatened to get uncontrolled with fingers thrown and tempers fraying. And whereas nothing of the type occurred at present every of them regarded as if they had been ready, even perhaps hoping for one thing to occur. The pot was boiling and the components had been effervescent however fortunately nothing spilled over.
Earlier all events stated their piece and remained civil and shared little that will have triggered anybody to chew.
“We both know what stands in front of us,” Catterall stated. “We’ve had the build-up. We don’t see eye to eye.
“I watched the first fight, I didn’t rate it. I think I under-performed, I think Josh did as well. Expect a better fight Saturday, emotions aside expect a better fight Saturday.”
The Chorley 140-pounder is aware of precisely how large a second that is in his profession however is refusing to consider what might lie forward in such a talent-packed division.
“You’ve got a great division at 140 [but] all I can think is about Saturday.”
Their controversial first combat went the space however this time Catterall, 28-1 (13 KOs), is predicting a win inside 12-rounds. “I can take him out [on] Saturday.”
Taylor, in the meantime, is aiming to place a run of inactivity and disappointing outcomes and performances behind him when he steps into the ring on Saturday evening. The Scot has reached the top of the game turning into undisputed champion at 140lbs however since that win towards Jose Carlos Ramirez in May 2021 he has fought simply twice – the split-decision win towards Catterall in February 2022 and the June 2023 unanimous resolution defeat to Teofimo Lopez.
“It’s just another fight week, another fight,” Taylor stated at at present’s presser.
“Looking forward to putting all this to bed and prove it [the first fight] was an off night.”
Some have written Taylor, 19-1 (13 KOs), off due to his trip the ring and the shows towards Catterall and Lopez. Catterall’s coach Jamie Moore dismissed that concept whereas Taylor himself used one other fight sport to show one loss shouldn’t be the top of the highway.
“Look at the history of boxing. All the great fighters of the past have come back and won world titles. Things like the UFC… guys have 20 fights and 10 losses, still at the top of the game. I still feel like I’m at top of the game and a win means I’m back in business to get my titles back.”
In response to Catterall’s stoppage prediction, Taylor replied: “Let him think that. If he wants to do that [then] great. I don’t care how I win, points or stoppage. The way I’ve performed in the gym if I catch him with the shots I’ve been throwing it’ll be devastating.”
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