Jack Catterall has slammed Josh Taylor's excuses for producing a below-par performance in his controversial victory in February.
Catterall and Taylor fought on February 26 in Glasgow for the Undisputed Super Lightweight Championship. Despite the majority of boxing fans and experts believing Catterall had done enough to win, a split-decision was awarded in favor of Taylor. Since the bout, the Scotsman has blamed difficulty in making 140lbs as the reason for his below-par showing.
Jack Catterall feels it is a hollow excuse. He said in an interview with Boxing Social:
"He's the king of contradiction. He posted a picture after the weigh-in... 'The best I've ever made the weight, the perfect camp.' Before our fight it was, 'I think I could drop down to lightweight.' But again, his character, who he is, he's earned the right, he's undisputed, he's enjoyed himself a little too much. He's not had that discipline under Ben. The fight was December and they fought, s**t not enough time, February. I think he's cut corners and I think that's his excuse, he's holding onto his weight [excuse]."
Watch the full interview with Jack Catterall on Boxing Social:
Jack Catterall won't fight Josh Taylor next
Furthermore, Jack Catterall stated that he will not fight Taylor next but believes he will face the Scotsman again in the future:
"I do believe I will fight Josh again and I believe I will knock him out next time. But I think that fight now, immediately, is gone. Josh has got to go up to welterweight if that's his plan and pick up some good victories. For me, it's about staying at 140 and winning the world title and putting my name in the record books. I believe that's a much bigger fight in two or three years' time."
It remains to be seen if Catterall gets another opportunity to fight for a world title or a shot at revenge against Taylor. There is a chance that the Scotsman might stay at 140lbs to defend his belts against mandatory opponents.
As for the February fight, Taylor is still convinced that he did enough to win against Catterall. In a recent interview with Sky Sports, he said:
"I am still of the opinion that I did just enough to win the fight. Obviously it was a very close fight... I've watched it back a couple of times now and my first impressions when I watched the fight... I scored that personally 113-112 to myself."
Watch Josh Taylor's recent interview with Sky Sports: