JOSH Taylor has not ruled out the possibility of stepping into the ring with Jack Catterall for a third time after going down to defeat last night (Saturday).

The two boxers had fought more than two years ago in Glasgow with Taylor taking victory on the judges' scorecards.

Last night, in Leeds, the two men again went the distance but this time it was Catterall who was given the decision by the judges.

Taylor, who came into the bout on the back of his first loss, after Teofimo Lopez won, spoke after the decision and said he was open to the idea of him facing Catterall again.

 

 

Speaking in the ring, he said: "I thought it was a great fight, fair play to Jack.

"He boxed a better fight tonight - it was a better fight than the first fight - it was great.

"I thought I just nicked the fight, to be fair.

"I thought I just nicked it, it was a close fight, but given the controversy in the first fight, I think that has probably played into the judges' hands.

"I think I just nicked the fight there but fair play to Jack.

"He won the fight and let's do a third one, why not?"

Catterall, of Chorley, had to withstand Taylor's efforts before the judges ruled in his favour.

Two judges scored the fight 117-111 with the third going for 116-113 in his favour.

Both men seemed to respond to each other when either landed big shots.

Taylor rocked Catterall in the third, only for his rival to bounce back with shots of his own.

Catterall then seemed to have the upper hand in the fifth round before Taylor fought back late on.

Coming into the last couple of rounds, Taylor looked like he might need a stoppage or a knockdown to turn the fight in his favour.

In the end, it was not to be and time will tell if there will be a third instalment of their rivalry.