Former cruiserweight world champion Johnny Nelson has made it clear who he believes will come out on top of the highly anticipated rematch between Josh Taylor and Jack Catterall.
Taylor and Catterall fought for the undisputed light welterweight championship back in February 2022, with the Scot retaining his belts via a highly controversial split decision. Catterall became the first man to put Taylor on the canvas and the vast majority of fans and pundits had the Englishman a winner on the scorecards.
Over two years later the pair will finally settle the score, with Catterall looking to prove his performance in the first fight wasn’t a fluke and Taylor looking to silence the doubters.
Speaking to talkSPORT, Nelson, says the ‘Tartan Tornado’ was ‘spooked’ in the first fight.
“I think Catterall spooked him [in the first fight]. Every time Catterall sees him he puts it on him when usually it’s Taylor who’s the one that does that, he’s a bit spiteful and he’s got a bit of an edge to him, now he’s had to humble down.
I like Josh Taylor but I think he’s a bully of a fighter, but you need to be sometimes, but bullies can’t check themselves. This will be a totally different fight, he’s going to have to humble himself as instinctively he’ll want to be the bully in the ring and that is where he could have a problem.
Jack hijacked him the last time, the style was unpredictable he has herky jerky and all of a sudden Josh has someone in front of him that he thought couldn’t beat him isn’t playing to the rules.”
Nelson thinks Catterall now has the self-belief going into the rematch and will be the man to get his hand raised.
Now you’ve got a fighter in Jack that not just believes but knows he has the beating of Taylor. Now it’s down to Taylor’s boxing skill, if he has the true skill and ability then he should rise to the top, otherwise if you’re just going in there to bully him that’s gone, I think his TNT has gone.
I’m going with Catterall I don’t think Taylor is the fighter he was. I think that youth, that arrogance that spite that he had that got him to where he got him has gone, time catches up with everyone, I don’t think he’s that fighter anyone. When you’re in there with someone you know can beat you it effects your self belief.
Taylor vs Catterall 2 takes place on Saturday May 25 at the First Direct Arena and will be broadcast live on DAZN as part of a standard subscription.
