Taylor vs. Catterall 2

Josh Taylor vs. Jack Catterall: Jack Catterall won by UD.

Cheavon Clarke vs. Ellis Zorro: Cheavon Clarke won by KO in the 8th round.

Paddy Donovan vs Lewis Ritson: Donovan won by TKO in the 9th round.

Gary Cully vs Francesco Patera: Cully won by UD.

Giorgio Visioli vs Sergio Odabai: Visioli won by TKO in the 4th round.

George Liddard vs Graham McCormack: Liddard won by KO in the 1st round.

Emmanuel Buttigieg vs Anas Isarti: Buttigieg won by PTS.

The stage is finally set for Josh Taylor and Jack Catterall to rekindle their intense rivalry with a much-anticipated rematch. The two fierce adversaries are slated to face off at the First Direct Arena in Leeds on May 25th, marking a pivotal moment in both fighters’ careers, live on DAZN and ESPN+.

The initial bout, marked by Taylor’s controversial split decision victory in Glasgow, Scotland, seemed to warrant an immediate rematch. However, the delay and subsequent career trajectories of both fighters have led to a significant waning of interest. Taylor's relevance has been questioned following his infrequent appearances and a notable defeat, while Catterall’s choice of opponents post-loss has not done much to elevate his standing or prove his readiness for the top tier of the division.

Taylor vs. Catterall Watchback: Watch

The consensus within the boxing community positions this rematch as a misstep, considering the emergence of more compelling contenders in the 140-lb division. The notion that either Taylor or Catterall could currently contend with the likes of Gary Antuanne Russell, Jamaine Ortiz, or Teofimo Lopez is met with skepticism, underscoring a perceived decline in their competitive viability.

Watch open workouts highlights on YouTube: Watch

The fight, now perceived more as a local-level event rather than a significant global draw, reflects broader issues within the sport concerning the timing of rematches and the management of fighters' careers. For Catterall, the rematch represents an opportunity to address the bitter memories of his narrow defeat to Taylor, though the landscape of the division has shifted considerably since their first encounter.

In the co-main event, Cheavon Clarke (8-0, 6 KOs) will fight Ellis Zorro (17-1, 7 KOs) for the vacant belt.

Cheavon Clarke is a former amateur standout who turned professional in early 2022. Clarke holds an amateur victory over current WBO World Cruiserweight champion Chris Billam-Smith, highlighting his capabilities in the ring. Initially set to face Issac Chamberlain for the BBBofC British Cruiserweight title, Clarke now turns his attention to Zorro after Chamberlain vacated his belt.

Zorro, who has developed entirely within the professional ranks, brings height and reach advantages, while Clarke’s extensive amateur background and comfort in the professional ring make him a formidable opponent. This fight will determine whether Zorro can claim the second belt of his career or if Clarke, known as “C4,” will prevail.

Watch Clarke vs. Ducar highlights: Watch

Moreover, in the undercard, Gary Cully (17-1, 10 KOs) squares off against Francesco Patera (29-4, 11 KOs). Cully’s still attempting to improve his traction after his tragic knockout to Jose Felix Jr a year ago and a loss to Reese Mould in a split decision. Although Patera had no prospect of defeating Keyshawn Davis, he is still a tough one.

Watch the official weigh-in highlights on YouTube: Watch

Also, Paddy Donovan (13-0, 10 KOs) takes on Lewis Ritson (23-3, 13 KOs) in the welterweight division. Donovan, signed by Top Rank in 2019, is on a four-fight TKO streak. His opponent, Ritson, is a former British lightweight champion who has shown resilience with a 6-2 record in his last eight fights despite recent setbacks.

Main card:

▪️Josh Taylor vs. Jack Catterall, 12 rounds, super lightweight ▪️Cheavon Clarke vs. Ellis Zorro, 12 rounds, for the vacant British cruiserweight title ▪️Paddy Donovan vs. Lewis Ritson, 10 rounds, for the Donovan’s WBA Continental title ▪️Gary Cully vs. Francesco Patera, 10 rounds, for vacant WBA Continental title ▪️Giorgio Visioli vs. Sergio Odabai, 6 rounds, super featherweight

Before the Bell: (begins at 12:40 pm ET)

▪️George Liddard vs. Graham McCormack, 8 rounds, middleweight ▪️Emmanuel Buttigieg vs. Anas Isarti, 6 rounds, super welterweight.