Jack Catterall has confirmed talks with Josh Taylor over a rematch are underway
Betway spoke with British world title contender Jack Catterall who revealed what his next move will be after overcoming Jorge Linares last month. Although in the early stages of talks, "El Gato" did confirm his team and Josh Taylor's team are speajing about a potential rematch at catchweight in 2024, to finally get a decisive outcome after most viewers deemed their first fight to be a robbery. So much so, that one of the ringside judges was called into question and subsequently downgraded for his suspect scorecard.Here's what the southpaw from Chorley had to say:
What did you make of your performance against Jorge Linares?
JC: "Overall, I was happy with the performance. I’m always looking to improve, be better, and I am always expecting more from myself. Although I was happy, I know I can be better and will be better. I felt like I did everything I needed to do, I cruised through the fight and didn’t take any unnecessary shots. I felt like my timing, speed and distance was spot on and I was only missing one thing for the cherry on top by putting him out but we know Linares carries power and is a dangerous fighter even though he’s a little bit older than me. Three fights ago, he had Devin Haney rocked so it was about coming through the fight sensibly and I did that.
"We all know before and after the Josh Taylor fight, it was a frustrating time being inactive. I’ve always been in the gym, but nothing has come through in terms of a natural fight but I’m now looking forward to some big scraps.
Is the Josh Taylor rematch going to be next?
JC: "For me, the Josh Taylor fight is one that the fans want and obviously it would be nice for me to put it to bed. He’s constantly known as the guy who robbed me of the fight and I’m the guy who has been robbed and the fans still talk about it, so it would be nice to make that fight, and I believe it can happen. If it doesn’t happen now, then I don’t believe it will happen but there is a chance it will happen. But aside from Taylor there is five or six tasty fights that I want to get involved in."
Have talks started?
JC: "I believe they are in discussions right now. Matchroom have been speaking with Top Rank so there is an ongoing discussion. I’m not sure how far they are with the negotiation, but it is something we are entertaining for the moment, but we are not going to put all our eggs in that one fight. But the fans want it and it will be a big domestic fight the fans will love but in a couple of weeks we know what direction we will be going in."
Are you open to a catchweight fight vs Taylor?
JC: "Of course, everything is up for discussion. I’ve been making 140lbs for my whole career and make it well enough. I believe Josh does too but that’s one of his excuses. We saw him fight Teofimo Lopez and he weighed in really well. I’m open to 142lbs or 143lbs and we can certainly factor that in and get the deal done."
Is he demanding a catchweight for the fight because of his last couple of performances?
JC: "Josh finds himself in a funny situation. I’ll be the first to say he has had a great career and ran through the division and picked up all of the belts so hats off to him. But if you look at the last two fights, I believe I beat him and Teofimo Lopez beat him as well. He finds himself asking whether he moves up to 147lbs and have a go up there but we know a defeat in his next fight – you question what options does he have, and does he want that defeat to come from me? We will see."
Is Josh Taylor still an elite fighter?
JC: "He has been an elite fighter. But I believe I beat him and Teofimo beat him. I do think he beats a lot of the guys on the domestic scene but as far as performing at elite level, you would have to say he has slid down a little bit.
"It was an accumulation of things but ultimately, I did think Josh would run away with the fight but Lopez proved me wrong moving up from lightweight to 140lbs and carried the weight well. Josh didn’t seem to have any answers. I know he’s had a couple of coaches in the last year or so. He’s moved from the McGuigans to Ben Davison and is now in Liverpool. He’s always contradicting himself, so you never know what to believe but he looked like he made the weight well enough from the outside and had a great preparation, so I think Teofimo Lopez just turned up and did what he had to do."
Lopez could be a future fight for you?
JC: "These are the fights we are pushing for – I would love to share a ring with Teofimo Lopez and I believe my style is all wrong for him. I know he’s going through some personal stuff, but it would be nice to see him back in the ring next year and I would definitely put my name in the hat for that fight."
What’s your prediction for Haney vs Prograis?
JC: "It’s a really interesting fight. You say you’re only as good as your last performance and I watched Regis Prograis’ last fight, and I wasn’t too impressed. Devin is now coming up from lightweight to super lightweight and he looks big for the weight, so I don’t think that’ll be too much of a factor. Everyone is saying Regis hits really hard and can Devin take the power. I think Devin is the more technical fighter and if he can set the rhythm then I do slightly lean towards Devin to win the fight.
"From what I’ve seen online, Regis is adamant he is going to hurt, break down and knock Devin Haney out. It’ll be interesting because if you take out Regis’ power then you would say Haney is the more clinical boxer, so he has to get stuck in and make it rough and be physical with him (to make sure he comes away with the win)."
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