Josh Taylor has vacated the WBC super lightweight championship in order to work towards a rematch with Jack Catterall. ‘The Tartan Tornado’ had been ordered to face mandatory challenger Jose Zepeda and was rumoured to be in talks. The proposed fight drew widespread derision from the fight-going public, who broadly feel Catterall deserves an immediate rematch with Taylor.
The pair clashed in February, with Taylor knocked down on the way to winning a split decision. Most observers claim Catterall had done enough to win, and the war of words has raged on between the pair ever since. Taylor has already relinquished one of the four belts that comprise the undisputed title which he defended in their first match. Taylor vacated his WBA strap in May rather than face Alberto Puello in a bout that would have done very little for his career or his unfinished business with Catterall.
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The Zepeda fight looked closer, but that too has been sidelined in favour of the fight everyone truly wants. The Californian will now face Jose Carlos Ramirez, the man Taylor defeated to become the first British undisputed champion of the four-belt era, for the vacant WBC gold.
Taylor remains the true king at 140lbs though. He remains the WBO and IBF titleist, as well as The Ring and lineal ruler. It is these designations he will defend in a bout with Catterall. While nothing has yet been made official, there seems to be an acceptance that this is the only option for all parties.
Taylor and Catterall did exchange tweets on Friday 1st July, when the champion wished his former and future challengers happy birthday. The lines of communication are open. Soon they could bear the fruit of a huge world title rematch.
*18+ | BeGambleAware | Odds Subject To Change
