Josh Taylor insists he gave up three of his world title belts to put the record straight against bitter rival Jack Catterall when they face on Saturday, February 4.
The super Scot has sealed the deal to face the Englishman at Glasgow's Hydro following the Tartan Tornado's controversial points win earlier this year. Light welterweight king Taylor has held on to his WBO crown but released his IBF, WBA and WBC straps after opting for another Catterall showdown rather than taking mandatory defences.
The Tartan Tornado took flak after the first fight but is determined to end any debate over his reign with the foes expected to collide in Glasgow early in 2023. Taylor said: “I'm the champion, I still did have all the belts. I've let go of three of them to make this fight happen. I think it will most likely be back in Scotland, we're not really sure on the timeline but it's looking like it's going to be next. I've got absolutely no doubt that I can stop him and I've got absolutely no doubt that I'm going to beat him, and beat him really well this time. I'm going to really, really do a good number on him.
“I just feel that on my A-game he gets nowhere near me. I am very confident in a really good performance this time. I feel good and I feel nice and sharp, and this time I've got the motivation. I never had the motivation, the drive, the determination and the focus last time.
"I prepared miserably and it told in the performance, so this time around there's none of that. There's no lack of motivation or lack of focus, it's completely dialled in, so I'm looking forward to getting into it.”
Undisputed champ Taylor – who also has an option to fight 135lbs king Teofimo Lopez – will have a new approach hooking up with trainer Joe McNally after two years with Ben Davison. The champion, speaking to Sky Sports, said: “I'm excited for this new chapter in my career. It's a nice, new, refreshing start. I got to meet him a couple of months back, got talking to him and bounced ideas off him, and I liked the way his mind works, his mindset and ideas.
"I went down and had the trial week with him, and then he came up to Scotland a couple of weeks later and we just hit it off, we just really gelled. He stayed with me for the weekend and we got to really know each other and speak in depth about what we want to do, moving forward.
"I just think I needed a little bit of a change, and it's no aim or dig or anything at Ben or the lads in the gym, I just needed a change. I felt like I was getting a bit stale, and just picking up little bad habits, and taking away from my main attributes and my main strengths.
"I'm happy with the choice that I made, and Ben and I are still very amicable and still speak. I'd like to take this opportunity to thank him, actually, for the work that we did together. He helped me achieve my dream of becoming undisputed world champion, and what a job he did. We got the tactics right, and everything was perfect.
"It was just more of a change for me, myself and getting my head right, getting back to my usual mindset. I feel comfortable with the surroundings I've got now.”
