Two of Britain’s Best Collide Again: Josh Taylor vs. Jack Catterall

Josh Taylor and Jack Catterall went into the ring at the OVO Hydro in Glasgow two years ago. Taylor prevailed as the winner with all the light-welterweight titles being up for grabs, including the WBA (Super), WBC, IBF, WBO, and The Ring.

Nevertheless, the said victory was controversial because almost no one agreed with the split decision. Taylor was given a victory scoreline of 112-113, 114-111, 113-112, an outcome that created the headlines in the UK and the boxing world. The British Boxing Board of Control set up a commission to look into the scoring.

Next comes Take-Two, as the two will collide once more on May 25 at the First Direct Arena in Leeds, Yorkshire. With luck, without repetition of the last controversy.

Taylor vs. Catterall Set to Collide at the First Direct Arena in Leeds

Taylor vs Catterall 2: What Should We Expect?

The fight between the pair may not have the high stakes of the previous bouts in terms of the championships on offer to become the undisputed champion. It will still have something to fight for on the line.

British fighting supremacy at the Light-Welterweight class will be on the line between the pair, with various storylines likely to be shared. Taylor will look to prove that he deserved his split decision in the previous bout. Catterall will be out to prove that the decision was wrong and that he shouldn’t have had his dreams “stolen” two years ago.

With both men set to enter the ring with a point to prove, plenty has been speculation about what could happen when the pair meet in Leeds. Unsurprisingly, there have been many who have been keeping a close eye on the odds of the upcoming clash, as they feel this can give them an insight into what to expect.

Those who like to place a boxing bet on the fights will have noticed that Taylor has been made the pre-fight favourite. He has odds of 1.78 heading into the contest, with Catterall valued at 2.02. However, there seems to be value in the prices offered, as there are many that are backing the latter to overcome them.

Boxing communities online have suggested that Catterall should be favoured when the pair meet. It has been suggested that the fight could go the distance again, highlighting the quality between the two individuals, how difficult it can be to pick a winner and the closeness in the odds available.

Many believe Catterall is the most likely to win by decision, with a KO/TKO unlikely for either fighter. If this is the case, we could expect 12 3-minute rounds of quality boxing between the two British foes.

Tale of the Tape

When trying to work out what might happen, it can always be worth looking at recent history and each individual’s records before entering a contest as equal as this one.

Of course, a fight like this could see the form book go out the window due to the emotions and fury that each boxer may have, especially following a controversial finish in the previous meeting.

Regarding Taylor, he may have the advantage due to the previous win. He won’t perhaps have to fight his emotions as much as Catterall may have to. In addition, he has a height advantage, which may benefit him slightly. His record of 19-1 speaks for itself, although his one defeat did come in his last fight when he was beaten by Teofimo Lopez 10 months ago by unanimous decision.

Catterall may use this as an advantage, having won two fights since his defeat to Taylor in 2022. His record is 28-1, and he won those last two bouts unanimously. With this in mind, it’s easy to see why a decision is the most likely outcome between the pair.

As mentioned, the mental and emotional aspects of the fight might be what he needs to keep in check at all times when inside the ring. He won’t want to be blinded by them, as if he is, it could provide Taylor with the weakness he wants to exploit.

Final Words

Taylor vs Catterall 2 will undoubtedly be an incredible fight as it has all the ingredients to form one. The pair will be looking to set the record straight from their perspectives, and it will be interesting to see what happens once the bell tolls and the two-touch gloves.