| Eddie Hearn:
“Welcome to Leeds ahead of what is the fight of the year in Britain, Josh Taylor rematching Jack Catterall at the First Direct Arena, live on DAZN around the world. A huge moment and huge night on the back of an incredible night in Riyadh last Saturday with the Undisputed Heavyweight World championship, what a fight and what a moment, as we lock this one in before going back to Riyadh for the 5 v 5. Incredible times for boxing and huge moments and opportunities for everyone up here on the top table. We have a mega fight for the main event but a great undercard as well.
“Two years on from their undisputed clash in Glasgow, the controversy, the build-up, the animosity, the hatred; whatever you want to call it, it will be settled in the ring on Saturday night.”
Josh Taylor:
“I’m good, I’m enjoying the week, the press conference, all the media, it’s just another fight week and on Saturday it’s just another fight, I am looking forward to putting all this to bed and moving on with my career and proving that the last time was just an off night.
“Look at the history of boxing, all the great fighters of the past have taken defeats and come back and won World titles again. Just because you take one defeat, it doesn’t mean you are a finished fighter. I think that’s where boxing has taken a turn for the worse because when a fighter takes a loss everyone says ‘ah he’s finished’, and stuff like that, but in the UFC, there are fighters that have got 20 fights with ten losses but they are still at the top of the game and still fighting, just because you take a loss it doesn’t mean that you are a bad fighter. I still feel that I am at the top of the game and on Saturday, I take care of business and I am back in the picture and winning my titles back.
“It’s been a long two years since the first fight. We’ve been talking about it, there’s been the delays and injuries, but my health comes first, it’s paramount. I’d like to say thank you to you guys when I said about the postponement, for getting it done nice and quickly and only making it four weeks later. I’m looking forward to it and I can’t wait for Saturday.
“The last fight was a stinker from both of us. Jack was doing a lot of holding and spoiling, slowing the pace down, I was very poor as well. I believe the two of us can be a lot better and it will be a better fight for the fans. It’s going to be a barnstormer, we were in the arena on Monday and got a bit of a surprise, it’s right on top of you, so it’s going to be a great experience and atmosphere in there.
(Catterall predicting a KO) “Let him think that, if he wants to do that great, absolutely fantastic, music to my ears. I don’t care how I win this fight, by points or by stoppage, the way I have been performing in the gym, the shots I’ve been throwing and catching people with, if I catch him with these shots it will be over and devastating for him. But we’ll see what happens, it’s just a win for me. This is must-win, this is for bragging rights, this is to say ‘I told you I am better than you’, so I can’t wait.”
Jack Catterall:
“I’m ready now. We’ve had the delays and the setbacks, but it’s fight week, we’re in Leeds, it’s exciting, I’ve done all the hard work and we’re two days away from fighting so it’s very real and I’m very much looking forward to it.
“We both know what stands in front of us now. We’re fighting on Saturday, all the talking is done, we’ve had the build up and the fight is sold, obviously we don’t see eye to eye, and we’re both ready to make weight and fight now.
“Like Joe said, I watched the first fight and I didn’t rate it that much. I thought I beat him and I thought I did it comfortably. I think I underperformed, maybe Josh did as well, but we’ve prepared for the best version of Josh and I think over the last two years I’ve improved as a fighter, I’ve been in the gym, I’ve not stepped out of it, I’ve been learning and developing, taking myself away for sparring. I expect a better fight on Saturday. Emotions aside, I think I am the better fighter, and I am going to show that on Saturday night.
“It’s must-win on Saturday and that’s what all my energy is focused on. I don’t want to talk about what is after this. I know you have a great division at 140lbs, there’s a lot of big fights to make and that’s an exciting prospect, but right now all I am thinking about is beating Josh on Saturday. I believe I can take him out on Saturday.”
Joe McNally:
“What a magnificent show for these two to put up, as Jamie said, one of the biggest shows of the year, and I expecting a great contest, a vintage Josh Taylor performance and a good victory. I just hope and pray that there is no controversy, that the referee can handle the occasion and isn’t under-qualified for it, the low blows, because as I said previously, I think Jack massively underperformed in the first fight, and also Josh. I hope they both get to show the best of their abilities, and give on a fantastic performance for the fans, and I see if Josh Taylor turns up on Saturday night, he comes away with a nice victory.
“I thought the first fight was shit to be fair, in that it was messy and scrappy. Jack landed nice single counters and Josh forced the fight, throwing combinations. I’m expecting this one to be a lot cleaner, they know each other well, and who can impose themselves on the other man and follow instructions, implement the strategy, they will come away victorious.
“It will ignite, I’m expecting Jack to start a lot more aggressive, could that play into Josh’s hands? Maybe so, maybe not. But Josh has prepared for every scenario, he’s been here before, he’s achieved every accolade in the sport, and I’m excited for a good performance from him.
“He’s sparred fantastic and he’s just go to take what he’s done in the gym into the arena on Saturday. As Jamie just said what is wrong with the sport now, a guy gets a loss and it’s the end of the line; it’s not that way. Eddie, you as a promoter have eradicated that module, and there is a road for fighters to come back as long as they are putting a good performance in. The loss against Teofimo, there were a few issues behind that, but the past is the past and it will make Josh a better fighter on Saturday, and he’s certainly showing everything I want to see in the gym, and if he turns up on Saturday and does everything he’s been doing the last ten weeks, we’re in for a good night of boxing.”
Jamie Moore:
“In many ways, we have to forget about the first fight. Josh has said many times that he overlooked Jack, and we have to take that as gospel. If that was the case, we go into the fight expecting the very best Josh Taylor, and I said a couple of times in fight week last time, my confidence in Jack isn’t from me not having respect for Josh as a fighter, it’s in knowing what Jack is capable of and he has improved since the first fight.
“People have asked me if I think Josh is past his best, absolutely not. I don’t think losing to Teofimo Lopez is a gauge to say someone is past their best, it’s insane to say that. But my confidence is in Jack, I’m not concerned about anything else, because I know what he’s done and how he’s prepared, and he’s ready to go.
“Last time fight week caught fire right towards the end and that’s what sort of ignited this feud that has gone on. But this is a blessing for these fighters, from the outside looking in, you live for this. When you are growing up and you look at pro boxers, you want that type of rivalry and that needle, and this is what these guys live for. In years to come they will look back and appreciate it, but at this moment in time they just want to get in there and fight each other. But this is what boxing is all about and there’s nothing I love more than a British rivalry.
“You have to forget about the first fight and you can’t take emotion into a fight, because if you do, you are fighting wrong. You have to be cool, calm and collected, and Jack is a hybrid, he adapts to whatever is in front of him, and I believe Josh is going to try something different and if he does we’re ready for it.”
Sam Jones:
“It’s a relief that it’s finally here now and it’s finally going to get put to bed on Saturday. It was disappointing and you feel things straight away when you get that type of news, it wasn’t ideal for Jack, and not for Josh either. One thing is for certain, I think you are going to get a conclusive winner on Saturday and it’s going to be Jack Catterall. He’s been looking on fire in the gym, I’ve been in the gym watching him spar and i would say it’s one of the best camps he’s ever had if not the best, and he’s ready to put this to bed on Saturday and put on a conclusive performance.
“It’s not ideal for either fighter, Josh has been out of the ring for nearly a year now, so it’s not ideal for him and not ideal for Jack. But the bottom line is we’re finally here now, the fight is sold, it’s a fantastic fight, the tickets are all sold and this is what we all want to see. It’s the biggest domestic fight of the year by a mile in my opinion. Josh is the best Scottish fighter ever from what he has achieved, but that’s his Kryptonite right there and you are going to see Jack Catterall with his hand raised like he should have been in the first fight.
“Jack is so calm, cool and collected. The way he has sparred in this camp, he’s really got the bit between his teeth. Jack has got a point to prove in this fight, there are no belts on the line, this is all about pride and settling a score, and Jack Catterall is going to win this fight on Saturday night.
Tom Grant:
“I can’t wait for Saturday night. This has been two years in the making, a lot of things have been said and we’re just a matter of hours away from it all kicking off. We’re very confident in Josh, Jack’s team are very confident in him, and I think that’s going to make for a fabulous fight. This is a landmark fight in what is a fantastic calendar for boxing, and from my perspective we’re very grateful to Matchroom, DAZN, Top Rank, ESPN for not only making this happen but in light of the unfortunate postponement, making sure that this could be put back on as soon as possible. A lot of work went into making that happen in a very short space of time.
“We were very conscious of the fact that the first date that had been scheduled for last year, fell through from a breakdown in communication. So within the hour of us getting notified by the doctor that it was not foreseeable that Josh would be able to fight on the date, the decision was made to notify Jack’s team, we didn’t want to lose that communication and not be transparent, as obviously it was an issue on our side. We knew that it wouldn’t go down well as it’s the middle of camp, but that was the thinking behind it, and it was just fortuitous that the Matchroom cameras were in Tenerife to capture it all. But it was important that we did it and I thought we handled it in the right way and as best we possibly could.
“I’ve no doubt in my mind with Josh. I think it’s going to be a great fight, both men have points to prove for different reasons. Jack is going to put on a much better performance than he did in the first fight, he’s developed as a fighter, and I think Josh is going to show the world why he got to the top of the sport. Those ingredients make for a fantastic fight and the fact that it’s part of the subscription on DAZN for so many people to watch is phenomenal, and I actively encourage anyone that’s not got plans on Saturday night to make sure that they watch this fight because it’s going to be a barnstormer.”
Alfie Sharman:
“As Eddie says, we’re at an unbelievable stage for our boxing business at DAZN. Here we are again with a major, major fight week, one of the biggest fights of the year domestically and beyond. In the month that has passed we have had Devin Haney vs. Ryan Garcia, Canelo Alvarez vs. Jaime Munguia, and last week we saw Oleksandr Usyk be crowned the undisputed Heavyweight champion of the world, and we’re back again with one of the picks of the bunch. This is a proper domestic monster of a fight, one us fight fans love to see get made. This isn’t fabricated beef or a story that’s been made up to sell tickets, it’s widely accepted that these two gentlemen don’t necessarily see eye to eye, and as the tagline suggests more explicitly, the hate runs deep and there’s a score to settle. In one corner we have Josh Taylor, quite possibly the greatest Scottish fighter of all-time, and in the other we have Jack Catterall, a brilliant fighter on a great run since his last fight with Jorge Linares and he possibly has a wrong to right. I wish both of them the best of luck on Saturday night, this is what boxing is all about for us at DAZN.”
Cheavon Clarke:
“There was a lot of going back and forth with the Chamberlain fight, we were on the front foot but they didn’t want the fight, but Ellis and Queensberry have taken it and now we have a fight.
“Ellis lost in his last fight, but that’s his business. I’ve got to look at him as a dangerous person, because if I had have lost, I’d be thinking ‘you know what, I’m going to show this lot that I am a big deal’. So I am looking at him that he’s more dangerous than if he hadn’t lost. Expect it to be explosive, to be wild, you could say that this could be the main event, no offense to the other guys.
“We operate tactically. People might think that it’s crash, bang, wallop, but there’s method to the madness, and again on Saturday it will be tactical, devastating, and you will be entertained.
“It’s all about being in front of the crowd and entertaining them, and the bigger it is, the better I perform. European, Commonwealth, the world, that’s where we’re going, it’s all about levelling up and we keep doing that with every fight.”
Ellis Zorro:
“I lost on December 23, I carried quite a lot of frustration coming out of that fight because I didn’t get a chance to prove what I can really do, but that’s what happens, that’s world-level boxing, we’re small Heavyweights and if you make mistakes you pay the consequences. I’ve been in the gym since January 8, this fight wasn’t really on my radar per se because of the whole Isaac Chamberlain situation, but I’ve been in the gym and staying ready, and when the phone rang, it was a yes from me.
“Coming from small-hall boxing I’ve never really had the opportunity to turn down fights, that’s never been my motive. I just think off the back of boxing Jai Opetaia in Saudi Arabia, doing a six rounder, I’m not sure what that would have done for me or if I’d have been motivated for it. Chev is a good fighter, he brings the action, brings the heat, so it’s a good fight for me to get my teeth into, and it’s the British title, in a sense I am kind of lucky to be coming off a loss and fighting for the British title, so I was never going to say no to that.
“I know what to expect, he’s 8-0 with six knockouts, looking really good recently, he’s got the GB background as well./ I don’t think that experience necessarily wins fights, I do have more pro fights than him, I’ve beaten guys with more pro fights than me, so I am taking nothing from that. It’s going to be a really good scrap.
Paddy Donovan:
“Lewis is a tough fighter, a good competitor, an experienced former British champion, but he’s up against an amazing talent, and this is the fight I need and the performance I need to show people just how good I am. If I want to be a world-class fighter, these are the opponents I have to beat. I’m sure Lewis is going to test me early in the fight, but I am going to come through with flying colours in tremendous fashion.
“We’re at the stage where every fight is a World title fight for me. This is elite fighting and you need to be ready. This time around, we are ready, we’ve had an amazing camp, we’ve ticked all the boxes and added new things to the game. I am in the best position I’ve been in as a professional fighter and I am ready to put on a big performance.
“It’s obvious he’s not going to stand and box with me, it would be pointless doing that, so his other option is to come straight forward and fight. I’ll be ready and waiting for him and will answer anything that he comes at me with, and I am sure I am going to let him know that I am in the fight.”
Lewis Ritson:
“It’s a massive chance and a great card to be on. I’m just happy to be here feeling nice and relaxed, strong and feeling fit for a change going into fight week. I’m looking forward to putting on a good performance on Saturday night.
“I can’t believe the difference to what this fight camp has been like compared to the rest of them, it’s massively really. I know we have a very tough fight on Saturday, Paddy is no mug, but I’m feeling really good and we think we can pull the job off.
“We’re not stupid, we’re not going to outbox Paddy, he’s a great boxer. But he’s never been where we have been before and we think we can pull him into that, and we’re going to find out.”
Gary Cully:
“My last three fights have been on three sold-out shows, two of them in my hometown in Dublin and now in Leeds on the biggest card so far this year in the UK so thank you Eddie and Matchroom for giving me the opportunities.
“It’s a big fight for me on Saturday night, Francesco is a high-level competitor, he’s an experienced guy, and it’s the sort of fight that I need to get myself back in the position to push on for major titles.
“The last fight was purely based on a result, getting in there and getting the W. I’ve had a good camp back home in Naas, and I’m focused on a big performance now, and some of them ‘Diva’ performances that got me on the big stage to begin with a couple of years back.”
Francesco Patera:
“Thank you for having me, I’m happy to be back. It’s a big fight on a big platform, and it’s very important for me to get back to where I want to be, on the world stage and get a step closer to a World title shot.
“With the years that I have boxed, I feel that I am getting better and more experienced. You keep learning with every fight and when you fight good fighters, you learn a lot. I feel ready for Saturday, training has been very good and I feel good.
“I change my style with my opponent. When I fought Lewis Ritson, we knew he was aggressive and comes forward, so I had to fight on the back foot. If I have to fight on the back foot I will, if I have to go ahead, I will do that too.”
Giorgio Visioli:
“I’m really excited to open the show, especially on a massive card like this. Everyone has seen the knockouts but they haven’t seen me do the rounds, and I am very good at boxing, which you will see on Saturday night.
“This is what I want, people with winning records, not journeymen standing there. Guys that are coming to win gives me the opportunities like last time, they come to win and the knockouts come. It’s a tough test on Saturday but I believe I am one of the best prospects in the UK and I’m looking forward to it.
“I’m really looking forward to hopefully boxing in London on July 6, the first time there as a professional. But first of all, we have to get the job done on Saturday and look good, I can’t wait.”
Leli Buttigieg:
“I’m getting better with each fight, every time I go back to the gym we’re improving. I want to fight as much as possible and you are going to see a better version of me each time.
“The more rounds the better for me because I like to break my opponents down and get to them. I’ve been sparring world-class fighters like Josh Kelly, everything has been going well and I’m ready to put on a good show on Saturday.
“I’ve been waiting to fight closer to home and sell a load of tickets to put on a good show in front of everyone down in London.”
George Liddard:
“I’m very grateful to you and my team for the opportunity. Now it’s my turn to shine. Coming off the back of fighting in Las Vegas, it’s great to be on another big card and it’s must-win fights now. I want to push on for domestic titles by the end of the year.
“I’ve grafted for this fight like no other camp. I work hard in every camp but I’ve really grafted hard. I’m ready, as the rounds go up I think you will see a better George Liddard, when I start applying the pressure, I just don’t think these guys will last the rounds with me, so I am looking forward to these next fights.” |
English