22 May 2024
Picture By Mark Robinson Matchroom Boxing
TAYLOR VS. CATTERALL 2 PUBLIC WORKOUT QUOTESWatch Taylor vs. Catterall 2 live on DAZN
| Hundreds of fight fans packed into Kirkgate Market this afternoon as another huge fight week ramped up a gear in Leeds ahead of the highly anticipated rematch between bitter rivals Josh Taylor and Jack Catterall at the First Direct Arena this Saturday May 25, shown live on DAZN in the UK and around the world and exclusively on ESPN+ in the U.S. The Super-Lightweight foes, who clash over 12-rounds at the top of a stacked card in Yorkshire, were joined by fighters on the undercard, including Cheavon Clarke, Ellis Zorro, Paddy Donovan, Lewis Ritson, Gary Cully and Giorgio Visioli. Josh Taylor – Edinburgh, Scotland – 19-1, 13 KOs – fighting Jack Catterall in a 12-round Super-Lightweight contest: “We’re finally here. It’s been a long time coming. I’m looking forward to it now. I’ve had a lot of stick but I’ve never taken it personal, but I will be taking it out on Jack on Saturday night. It’s just another boxing match. Forget the last fight, forget everything else that has gone on – this is a completely new fight. New fight, new circumstances. No belt on the line. Yes, there’s some beef there but listen, I’m a consummate professional and I’m enjoying fight week. I can’t wait to get in there on Saturday. “We’re taking him more seriously for a start. That was the biggest mistake I ever made. The first lesson in the art of warfare is never underestimate your opponent, and that’s what I done last time massively. I almost paid the price for it. I’m not doing that this time. He gave me a tough fight last time and I had to dig deep. I know what I’ve got in front of me now and I know the threat that is there now so I’m taking it seriously. I’ve made sure that I’ve covered all bases in training camp this time and I’m feeling good.” Jack Catterall – Chorley, England – 28-1, 13 KOs – fighting Josh Taylor in a 12-round Super-Lightweight contest: “Ultimately, the public have been banging on about the rematch, the boxings fans, everyone was asking me about it every day of the week. In the back of my mind I knew this fight was eventually going to happen, but we’re here now. Weight is good, everything is good. I take confidence from how hard I have worked in the gym. For me, these next couple of days are about being selfish, spending time with my team, switching off and when it’s time to go to work in the dressing room I’ll flick that switch and we’ll be ready. “We saw each other last night at the First Face Off and there wasn’t a word spoken from him. We’ll see, it might change as he’s making weight and I’m making weight at the weigh-in on Friday, but right now he’s not got much to say. I think we’re both focused on the job. For me it’s personal with Josh. It’s a fight that I believe I won. I’m excited to put that right. I still have goals and aspirations of becoming a World Champion, but one step at a time. We’ve got a big fight on Saturday and that’s all I’m focused on.” Cheavon Clarke – Gravesend, England – 8-0, 6 KOs – fighting Ellis Zorro for the vacant British Cruiserweight Title: “The whole journey has been important, it’s just that at this point I get to shine a light on the people that have helped me to get here. I suppose in that aspect, it is an important chapter of my career. It would be great to win the British Title. I would be making history, I’d be the first person in my family to win to get it, second person from Kent and Gravesend to get it behind Harry Dhami – the legend himself. “My business it to go in there and do what Chev does – apply my trade and entertain as I usually do. I’m just taking it a fight at a time. I dedicate my life to it like I love it. It’s producing results. Keep doing what I do and keep levelling up. The most motivating part of it is for those who helped me on my way up to look at me and say, ‘you know what – he’s not changed. He’s developed but he’s not changed as a person. That to me is very important, because it doesn’t matter where I get in life, I’ll always be that little Chev that they knew.” Gary Cully – Naas, Ireland – 17-1, 10 KOs – fighting Francesco Patera for the vacant WBA Continental Lightweight Title: “Coming back last time out, the whole of fight week Eddie was putting lots of emphasis on my career being on the line. I was being built into being this next superstar in Ireland and the next big thing and stuff like that. One loss can have a massive effect on your career but the same as one win can. I’m very aware of that. The fact that I came back, got the win against Reece Mould, I was happy. This fight here on Saturday night can put me in line again for a World Title opportunity. I think the winner probably goes on to a World Title Eliminator next or some sort of big fight. “One win and one loss in boxing, and it can change very quickly. I’ve got my win back and I’m ready to put on a big performance on Saturday night and move onto my ultimate goal of becoming a World Champion. Francesco Patera is a high level fighter. That’s why I wanted the fight with him because I want to challenge myself. He’s a test for me – two-time European Champion. I think I’ll pass the test with flying colours. I believe I’m a lot more skilful than him. My boxing IQ is a lot higher than his is. He’s very experienced, like I say he’s been around the block a number of times but I believe my skills will shine through and I’ll show what I’m about on Saturday night.” Paddy Donovan – Limerick, Ireland – 13-0, 10 KOs – defending his WBA Continental Welterweight Title against Lewis Ritson: “You can’t take away Lewis Ritson’s achievements, the fights he has under his belt and the experience he brings to the table. I’m sure he’ll be itching to get in there. These are the kind of fights in his career where he needs to get up for it. He knows that I’m going to be an extremely tough task for him. At this stage of his career I’m sure he’ll be ready. I’m excited. Eddie is known for putting some of the best fighters in the world together and putting on the best cards. It’s a great fight on paper. Ritson is a hell of a fighter and I’m in great shape. I’m ready to put on an amazing show here in Leeds. “My last fight was a potential banana slip. He was a tough fighter. He was a durable fighter but a fighter that you’re supposed to beat. I got illness and things like that in my training camp. I’m not making excuses. This time round I’ve had great preparation. Me and Andy have spent more time together than we ever have. We’ve been working on new specific things for Ritson in the gym. You’re going to see the best Paddy Donavan possible on Saturday night.” Taylor vs. Catterall 2 tops a huge night of action in Leeds, Gravesend powerhouse Cheavon Clarke (8-0, 6 KOs) takes on Bromley’s Ellis Zorro (17-1, 7 KOs) for the vacant British Cruiserweight Title, Limerick’s fast rising Welterweight talent Paddy Donovan (13-0, 10 KOs) meets Forest Hall’s former British Champion Lewis Ritson (23-3, 13 KOs) for the WBA Continental Title, Naas Lightweight star Gary Cully (17-1, 10 KOs) fights Belgium’s former European Champion Francesco Patera (29-4, 11 KOs) for the WBA Continental Title, Aldershot Lightweight prospect Giorgio Visioli (2-0, 2 KOs) looks to make it three knockouts from three fights when he takes on Austria’s Sergio Odabai (6-3-1, 3 KOs) over six rounds, Billericay Middleweight George Liddard (6-0, 3 KOs) squares off with Limerick’s Graham McCormack (9-3-1, 1 KO) over eight rounds and Newham Super-Welterweight Leli Buttigieg (3-0, 1 KO) kicks off the Before The Bell action against Belgium’s Anas Isarti (4-2). |
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