Josh Taylor v Jack Catterall rematch: Glasgow date 'expected to be announced next week'

Josh Taylor celebrates victory over Jack Catterall during the WBA, WBC, WBO & IBF world super-lightweight title fight at the OVO Hydro in February.

The Tartan Tornado, who hails from Prestonpans, defeated Catterall at The Hydro in Glasgow in February this year on a split points decision. However, the result came under heavy criticism, with Catterall’s camp feeling the result was unjust. Since then, Taylor has relinquished three of his four world title belts – he remains the WBO super-lightweight – and is freed up to face Catterall once more as there are no mandatory challenges in place. The Scotsman understands that all parties want the rematch to happen, most likely back in Glasgow, and that an announcement could come as early as next week.

BOXXER promoter Ben Shalom, who called the Taylor verdict “sickening”, told The Daily Mail: “I'm hoping to be able to announce that in the next week or so. I think that's a huge fight which was in the midst of controversy. The only way to correct that is to find a way to do the rematch. It's an extremely important rematch for British boxing. We're tying up a few things with the venues and around certain promotional elements, but both fighters are in. It's likely now to be very early next year.”

Taylor, 31, remains adamant that he was the worthy winner of the original fight. Judge Ian John-Lewis, who scored the fight 114-111 in his favour, has since been downgraded by the British Boxing Board of Control, although they state his version of events “did not affect the overall result of the contest”.

Taylor told Sky Sports: "We're looking at finalising and closing in on contracts and dates. It's been a long time coming, I would like to get that one nice and soon, but it's with the lawyers so I'm just waiting on everything getting back to me. I've done everything I can on my side, so we're just waiting on the other side, really. At the end of the day, I'm the champion, I still did have all the belts. I've let go of three of them to make this fight happen. I think it will most likely be back in Scotland, we're not really sure on the timeline but it's looking like it's going to be next.”