TAYLOR FANCIES SEEK & DESTROY

JOSH TAYLOR put pride before pound notes when he agreed to a rematch with Jack Catterall.

So after suffering a horror injury that has at the very least postponed the fight but perhaps even put it in peril, the Scotsman (below) is desperately hoping the pair will still get it on so he can “obliterate” his rival for the sake of his legacy.

Last February’s fight with Catterall was Taylor’s first defence after unifying the light-welterweight division with victory over Jose Carlos Ramirez in May 2021.

And it ended controversially, with the champion taking a split decision win with many observers believing Catterall had done enough.

Taylor’s decision to take a rematch was, therefore, understandable but a significant injury has put any chance of the fight happening back.

“Obviously, I’m gutted I’ve suffered the injury,” said the 32-year-old, who tore a tendon in a foot last week.

“I had six weeks to go in camp, I was flying, way ahead of schedule, my weight was good, sparring was good, everything was good.

“I really felt I was getting back to my best form and I’d have absolutely obliterated Jack Catterall.

“I’d have been disappointed if it had gone the 12 rounds, so I’m pretty gutted.”

The decision to take a rematch cost Taylor three of his four belts, with the WBO version the only one he now has left.

“I could be looking at much more lucrative fights,” he added.

“I wasn’t short of options but I actually took a bit of a wage cut to fight Jack just to put a bad performance to bed.

“It was a pride thing, more for my legacy.”