DON’T JUDGE JOSH
Trainer Joe worries over ‘young panel’
JOSH TAYLOR has been urged to put on a vintage display against Jack Catterall – and take the clash out of the hands of the judges.
The former undisputed world king is gearing up for Saturday’s grudge rematch against the Chorley challenger in Leeds.
The pair have unfinished business on the back of Taylor’s controversial points win in Glasgow two years ago.
The super Scot’s trainer Joe McNally admitted he has concerns about inexperienced judges scoring the fight and ref Kevin Parker, who has only taken charge of a couple of elite-level contests.
McNally doesn’t want the furore surrounding the precious clash to influence any decisions this time around. And Taylor has been told to turn on the style and remove any doubt.
He said: “That’s a fear. I don’t want Josh to really leave it in the hands of the judges – I want him to be super dominant, in an ideal world. But we have to put the uttermost faith in the British Boxing Board of Control applying top quality judges.
“I’m no rocket scientist but I’m sure they wouldn’t have worked too many championship fights at this level either – same as the referee.
“So I think we’ve got a young panel across the board and I hope the board has a deep conversation with them to eliminate the first fight: ‘Forget the controversy, forget this, just see the fight as you see it against two neutral, equal operators and just let it play out.’
“I just hope there isn’t any other controversy. If Jack wins, he wins fairly. If Josh wins, he wins fairly. Kudos, take your hat off, tip it to the guy and you push on to what you’re gonna do next. There always is that fear but it is what it is.”
Taylor is on the comeback trail after relinquishing three of his four world light welterweight titles when out injured and losing his other one in the ring against Teofimo Lopez last year. The Prestonpans puncher was set to move up a weight division but he is determined to draw a line under the Catterall controversy that has dogged him in the wake of their scrappy first encounter. And McNally is convinced his man is in top shape and ready to put on a show.
He said: “I hope Josh gets to showcase his skillset and puts in a vintage performance.
“Likewise Jack – I hope he gets to show his skillset too, so the fight has got a good ebb and flow to it, back and forth is good for the fans.
“The last thing I want is a repeat of the first one where there’s a lot of holding, clinching, hitting after the bell, low blows, the back of the head and stuff – and the referee getting too involved in the fight.”
I just hope there isn’t any other controversy
JOE McNALLY ON SCOTS STAR TAYLOR’S GRUDGE REMATCH
The fighters squared up in Leeds earlier this week and took part in a public workout yesterday ahead of Saturday’s sold out showdown.
The bad blood has lingered and Taylor insisted he’s good to go after getting the all-clear following an eye problem that delayed the fight by a month.
He said: “I’m feeling good, there are no injuries so there’s been no restrictions in training now. Everything is going well. My eye feels good after the surgery.”