Jake Cattrall defeated former undisputed world tremendous light-weight champion Josh Taylor by way of unanimous determination in an exhilarating rematch in Leeds on Saturday night time.
Cattrall, who suffered a controversial split-decision loss to Taylor in Glasgow two years in the past, landed the heavier punches to settle the rating in one of many greatest grudge fights in British boxing lately.
All three judges gave the struggle to Cattrall in entrance of a sold-out First Direct Area, with two having it 117-111 and one having it 116-113, though Taylor Will really feel aggrieved as a result of the rating is just not nearer.
Taylor was busy together with his jab within the early rounds, and Cattrall, a southpaw, was notably profitable together with his left hook.
After an sudden head-butt within the second spherical, Taylor briefly had his opponent on the ropes, however Cattrall responded with a left hand after which one other head-butt early within the third spherical that resulted in Taylor wincing.
Cattrall landed two consecutive left jabs on the finish of the fourth and seemed to take management within the fifth, discovering his vary together with his jab earlier than hurting Taylor with a sequence of left punches and proper hooks that put Taylor The Scot is on the ropes.
Regardless of a swollen proper eye, Taylor regained her composure within the sixth, however Cattrall continued to land his punches with extra accuracy and focus.
Two brief proper jabs from Taylor gave him momentum within the seventh and the 2 fighters traded blows, with the Scot proving more practical once more within the eighth to degree the rating.
Cattrall broke by means of his opponent’s protection early within the ninth spherical and the 2 fighters went toe-to-toe.
Taylor stalked his opponent within the tenth, now wanting extra threatening, and landed a proper jab and an uppercut.
However within the eleventh, a thunderous straight punch from Cattrall put Taylor in hassle, and heading into the ultimate spherical Taylor might barely separate the 2 males as they fought themselves to a standstill.
The 2 boxers first clashed in February 2022 when Taylor retained his WBC, WBA, IBF and WBO belts by way of a controversial cut up determination in Glasgow.
Most observers thought Chorley’s Cattrall had carried out sufficient to win, and within the two years since, the boxers have traded insults in individual and on social media.
The second recreation – with out a harness – was postponed twice, first in January 2023 attributable to Taylor’s foot harm after which in March this 12 months when the Scot had a minor eye drawback .
Taylor defeated Jose Ramirez in Las Vegas in 2021 to develop into Britain’s first undisputed four-belt world champion, dropping to American Teofimo Lopez final June , his solely struggle since dealing with Cattrall for the primary time.
The Edinburgh native’s report now stands at 20-2 and Cattrall’s 29-1, with calls now being made for a decisive third conflict.
Earlier, Jamaican-born Chev Clarke knocked out Lewisham’s Ellis Zorro within the eighth spherical to win the vacant British light-weight title.