Josh will repay Catterall with a shot at glory
Josh Taylor has thanked Jack Catterall for helping to make his undisputed bout with Jose Ramirez move a step closer – and has vowed to lock horns with the Englishman in an Auld Enemy showdown in return.
Mandatory WBO challenger Catterall had been lined up to take on Ramirez next, but has stepped aside to allow Taylor his chance to claim all four belts at super-lightweight.
The eagerly-anticipated clash is expected to take place in America early next year.
And Taylor insists he plans to take care of Ramirez before putting the WBA, WBO, WBC and IBF titles on the line in a Scotland versus England contest with Catterall.
Taylor said: “I’m over the moon, there are no obstacles there now in fighting Ramirez.
“I’m delighted I’m going to get this dream fight, I think I’m deserving of it given my last four, five performances.
“A massive thank you to Jack as well for accepting to step aside and wait, he has the big chance next once I beat up Ramirez.
“Given that Jack has stepped aside and he’s agreed he’ll get the winner after it, we might do that next.
“I’m thankful for Jack for doing that so I’d like to try to honour it.
“It’s massive fight as well, the Auld Enemy, Scotland versus England for the all belts.
“That’s never happened before so that’s a massive piece of history.”
Taylor plans to honour a bout with Catterall if he successfully beats Ramirez but will eventually move up to lightweight in his bid to become a twoweight world champion.
Taylor added: “Everybody seems to be saying I will be going straight up to 147 (lbs).
“It is a logical step but I’m not in a hurry.
“I’ve nothing else to prove when I beat Ramirez, I’m No. 1 in the division, then I could go up to 147 and chase a second weight title.”