‘A kick in the teeth’ – Josh Taylor reflects on subdued undisputed title and Jack Catterall controversy

During the early stages of COVID pandemic lockdowns, sports fans were starved of any live action to keep themselves occupied.

However, as the initial panic faded, sport could not stand still, and boxing led the way when it came to getting back on track. With the establishment of ‘Bubble’ environments, fighters were able to carry on their careers, albeit with very little fanfare with some of their biggest successes being played out to mostly silence besides the officials who were present.

Josh Taylor was one of those who experienced this scenario. On May 22, 2021, Taylor travelled to Las Vegas to face Jose Ramirez for the undisputed super lightweight title. This was a historic moment in Taylor’s career and at any other time, an army of Scots would have packed their bags, made the trip across the Atlantic Ocean and put on a party to remember on the famous strip.

• Read next | ‘Starved of opportunities’ – Josh Taylor relishing return of big-time boxing to Scotland

However, with lockdown restrictions in full effect, it would be just Taylor and his training team who made the trip with his family forced to stay in Scotland and watch from afar.

“I think it's a little frustrating that obviously how it happened, it was totally out of our control during COVID. The dream was to become world champion and to fight in Vegas at the top of the bill,” Taylor told DAZN News in an exclusive interview.

“When I finally landed a fight in Vegas, and what a fight it was. It was for all the marbles to become the undisputed king of the world.

“I had visions that years ago, doing something similar to what Ricky Hatton did, going over and taking fans, and winning fights over there. Then, I finally landed a fight and nobody could go, not even my mum, my dad, my little sister and wife could come.”

With two knockdowns in rounds six and seven, Taylor got the undisputed title he craved by unanimous decision and became the only British male fighter to do so in the four-belt era. The celebrations in the ring were aplenty, but Taylor admitted his win over Ramirez was one which he struggled to enjoy.

“It was a bittersweet victory. It was amazing that I had achieved my lifelong goal becoming a world champion and then becoming an undisputed world champion. I was only the fifth person to do it in the four-belt era and then the first person in the UK to do it.

“A massive achievement, a huge achievement, the first person to do it and I couldn't really enjoy it or share it with the people that I love and are closest to me.”

This coupled with the fact that no major UK broadcaster was willing to show what was a historic moment for British sport left many fight fans, including myself, frustrated with how Taylor had been treated during what was the biggest moment of his boxing career.

Once lockdown restrictions became a memory, plans were afoot to give Taylor the celebration and the homecoming he deserved. It was already known he would face Jack Catterall after he stepped aside to let Taylor make history on the promise that he will be next.

The date was set for February 26, 2022, at the SSE Hydro in Glasgow (now the OVO Hydro), for Taylor to make the first defence of his undisputed super lightweight title. It was a classic Scotland vs England matchup with thousands of Scottish boxing fans creating an electric atmosphere, and those in attendance were ready to get the first sight of their fellow countryman who is out on a pedestal of his own in British boxing.

What transpired that night was one of the most controversial fights of recent memory inside a British ring. Despite being knocked down and being deducted a point for punching after the bell, Taylor still emerged victorious by split decision despite a consensus that Catterall was a clear winner.

The fallout was something I had never seen before in all my years following boxing. Social media certainly showed its darkest side with abusive messages not only being sent to Taylor, but also those closest to him, while the result was even discussed in the Houses of Parliament!

The phrase “The game’s gone” would have been apt for what was playing out both in the real and virtual world, and if Taylor decided to walk away from boxing, who could have blamed him.

However, speaking to DAZN News, Taylor had no intentions of walking away, and while he was able to cope with the abuse being sent his way, his family became the main concern.

“It never crossed my mind, but it was quite a horrible time because every time I put my phone on, I was just getting nothing but dog's abuse. It didn't matter what I said, if I said anything or posted something, it wasn't even doing anything with boxing, it was just constant abuse all the time.

“I didn't really mind it too much, but when you're getting it constantly, I then started biting back at people then. My mentality changed, I was guard up with everyone because the abuse that I was getting was just on a scale that was just unbelievable and then my wife started getting it, then my little sister started getting it with threats of violence and stuff to the places where they worked.

“That's just not on, as a man, I dare to say anyone who is standing, let their family be threatened, especially online by complete idiots.”

The first encounter with Catterall prompted a downturn in Taylor’s career. After losing three of his four world super lightweight titles outside the ring, Taylor lost his WBO belt to Teofimo Lopez in June 2023 before Catterall beat ‘The Tartan Tornado’ in a rematch 11 months later.

Within the space of two years, Taylor’s stock had taken a significant fall, and a reset would be needed to reignite a career which has provided some of British boxing’s most memorable moments.

Tonight, live on DAZN, the 34-year-old gets exactly that.

Finally making his welterweight debut, Taylor will be returning to Scotland for the first time in over three years when he takes on the durable Ekow Essuman.

It is no secret that Taylor needs to win to remain a big name in British boxing, and if he does, then finally lack of fanfare for his undisputed triumph may arrive if he can achieve something similar in front of the masses at 147lbs.

Watch Josh Taylor vs Ekow Essuman exclusively with a DAZN subscription. Annual and monthly options available, more information here.