Notebook: Tension high as Taylor, Catterall go at it at kickoff presser
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Given that Matchroom Boxing promoter Eddie Hearn has titled the rematch between Josh Taylor and Jack Catterall “Hate Runs Deep” it should not have come as a surprise to anyone that the bitter rivals put their hands on each other the first chance they had at the kickoff news conference on Monday in Edinburgh, Scotland, Taylor’s home turf.
As soon as the formal portion of the presser concluded and it was time for a face off, it was clear what was about to transpire.
Taylor matched toward the center of the stage as did Catterall with only Hearn between them, and Taylor immediately put his hand on Catterall’s chest. That prompted Catterall to respond by grabbing him around the neck and you know the rest of the story.
Hearn and their teams had to separate them and hold them back. But Hearn was determined to get the photo op and soon after, when they had appeared to have calmed down, he brought them together again to pose, just not face to face to pose, with him between them.
Of course, they jawed at each other some more and when Taylor leaned toward Catterall to say something (probably nasty), Catterall threw a punch at him that missed and they were separated once again, getting the fans in attendance riled up.
They’ll take the show on the road and do it all over again for the second news conference of a two-city tour on Tuesday in Manchester, England, Catterall’s home region.
Hearn was rather pleased by the predictable hubbub, knowing it would grab some headlines and kickstart the promotion.
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