Josh Taylor vs Jack Catterall rematch to be announced THIS WEEK

The eagerly-anticipated rematch between Josh Taylor and Jack Catterall is set to be announced this week. 

Taylor claimed a highly controversial split-decision victory over his British rival in their February encounter at the OVO Hydro in Glasgow, despite being dropped and largely outboxed throughout. 

Catterall will now get his opportunity for revenge in early 2023, with both parties agreeing to the fight and only minor details regarding the venue and ‘certain promotional elements’ to be finalised. 

Taylor was awarded a highly controversial split-decision victory in their February clash

Though Taylor remained undisputed super-lightweight champion with the controversial victory, the 31-year-old now holds just the WBO belt, having vacated his WBC, WBA and IBF belts to secure the rematch. 

Neither fighter has entered the ring since the showdown, though Catterall recently signed with BOXXER, while Taylor has left trainer Ben Davison for Joe McNally.

BOXXER promoter Ben Shalom, who was publicly outraged after Catterall was denied victory, insisting the decision was ‘sickening’ and calling for an investigation, told Sportsmail an announcement is now imminent.  

‘I’m hoping to be able to announce that this week,’ Shalom told Sportsmail. ‘I think that’s a huge fight which was in the midst of controversy. 

‘The only way to correct that is to find a way to do the rematch. It’s an extremely important rematch for British boxing.’

Taylor was dropped in a sub-par performance against Catterall but insisted he won the fight

Asked if anything could now prevent the fight from being announced, Shalom said: ‘No, I think we’re there. We’re tying up a few things with the venues and around certain promotional elements, but both fighters are in.’

Shalom, on the date of the fight, concluded: ‘It’s likely now to be very early next year.’ 

Taylor has remained adamant since the fight that he was the deserved winner, despite judge Ian John-Lewis – who scored the fight 114-111 in his favour – being downgraded by the British Boxing Board of Control. 

The Board insisted they were ‘satisfied’ his scorecard ‘did not affect the overall result of the contest’, however, with their issue being how wide it was. Catterall was unsurprisingly underwhelmed by their position. 

The remaining two judges saw it 113-112, one in favour of Taylor and the other of Catterall. 

Taylor and Catterall have exchanged insults on numerous occasion on social media since their fight, but they will soon finally get the opportunity to conclude their rivalry in the ring.