THE wait is almost over as the much-heralded rematch between Josh Taylor and Jack Catterall finally takes place tonight (Saturday).

It is more than two years since the pair first met in Glasgow as Taylor successfully defended his WBC, WBA, IBF and WBO super-lightweight titles.

Taylor, defending the titles for the first time, took the win with a controversial split decision.

Now, in the First Direct Arena in Leeds, they will step back into the ring to face each other once again.

Ahead of the bout, Taylor told Top Rank: “I’ve never run from anyone in my life, especially not Jack Catterall.

“He has spent the last two years running from promoter to promoter while living off my name.

“Jack should be careful what he wishes for because he’s getting battered on May 25.

“I am going to enjoy every second of this. See you soon, Jack.”

 

 

The two men have been embroiled in a heated war of words since the original bout more than two years ago.

Taylor retained his world titles before later relinquishing the WBC, WBA and IBF titles due to pending mandatory orders.

The 33-year-old then lost his WBO crown to Teofimo Lopez in New York City last summer as he suffered his first defeat as a professional.

Since the original bout, Catterall has defeated Darragh Foley for the WBA Inter-Continental Super Lightweight title before defending it against 38-year-old Jorge Linares.

The rematch was due to take place last month but was pushed back as Taylor, who grew up in Prestonpans but now lives in Haddington, recovered from an eye injury.

Josh Taylor and Jack Catterallstep back into the ring tonight more than two years after their first fight. Image: PA Images/Steve Welsh

Josh Taylor and Jack Catterallstep back into the ring tonight more than two years after their first fight. Image: PA Images/Steve Welsh

The card, which gets under way at 7pm, has been titled ‘Hate Runs Deep’.

Speaking to Courier Sport last month, Taylor was looking forward to the bout.

He said: “I think it is going to be a bit of a mixture of hostile and support.

“It is going to be quite good.

“There are a lot of people – even Scots – who have turned their back on me on one performance.

“I have got the bit between my teeth and to say ‘**** you’.

“I am going there to win and say: ‘There’s my middle fingers to you’.”

Catterall, whose only loss came to Taylor, was eagerly looking forward to the fight.

 

 

He told Top Rank: “I’ve wanted this fight since the moment the scorecards got read out in Glasgow.

“A few people say ‘move on Jack’, and that’s easy to say to when you’re not in my position.

“I get asked every day of my life multiple times a day, ‘when are you fighting Taylor again?’.

“This isn’t about belts, this is personal to me, and I can’t wait to get my hands on him.

“I don’t like him, I don’t respect him and on May 25 I’m going to end him.”

The event is due to start at 7pm with the main event ring walks scheduled for 10pm.

The card will stream live on DAZN in more than 200 countries across the globe.

For more details, go to www.dazn.com