Catterall gains revenge on Taylor with unanimous points win

Since their explosive first bout in Glasgow in February 2022 when Taylor was awarded victory by the judges in a fight most observers believed he lost, there has been a sense both boxers’ careers have stalled.

The Prestonpans man had fought only once since, a decision loss to Teofimo Lopez in New York last June, while Catterall’s points wins over Darragh Foley and the veteran Jorge Linares did little to advance his case for another world title shot.

The animosity between Taylor and Catterall is genuine and intense, but both men spoke in the build-up to this long-awaited rematch about the importance of keeping their emotions in check when it finally came time to step back between the ropes.

With the fight taking place less than 50 miles from his hometown of Chorley, Catterall entered the ring to a terrific ovation, while Taylor seemed more than happy to play the villain as the boos rained down from the boisterous 11,000 crowd.

How much did a 33-year-old Taylor have left in the tank? Was Catterall ready to prove he belongs at world level? These were the questions hanging in the air as the two bitter rivals finally got down to business.

Catterall established his right jab in the early stages and while Taylor backed up his opponent on the ropes he was on the receiving end of a couple of smart overhand lefts.

A clash of heads produced a nasty bump on Taylor’s head which seemed to be causing him some distress.

Both men had promised the second instalment would be more exciting and less cagey than the original and the fight came to life in the third when Taylor landed a big left to rock Catterall back on to the ropes, only for the Englishman to fight fire with fire and enjoy some success of his own.

Taylor was looking to force the pace, stalking his opponent around the ring, but Catterall is adept at boxing on the back foot and a late flurry probably edged the fourth in his favour.

Catterall came roaring out the traps in the fifth, buckling Taylor’s with a rapid combination in the centre of the ring. The Scot ended the round laying on the ropes with Catterall teeing off on him and the bell came as welcome relief.

With the “Chorley, Chorley” chants growing louder, their man was now firmly in control and while Taylor looked to get back on the front foot, his shots were not getting through as cleanly as those he was receiving.