Rematches can often take on a more personal feeling than other boxing matches, and Josh Taylor vs. Jack Catterall 2 certainly appears to be highly a personal affair to the fighters involved.
The duo were involved in a contentious battle for Taylor's undisputed super-lightweight crown in Feb. 2022, with Taylor claiming victory by split decision.
The "Tartan Tornado" has since relinquished the WBC, IBF and WBA titles and lost the WBO belt to Teofimo Lopez last year, but the lack of titles will not put a damper on Taylor's rematch with Catterall, which will be shown live worldwide (excluding the United States) on DAZN on April 27.
For Taylor, the bout is less about getting himself back into the title conversation and more about getting one over on a rival.
"I could retire today and have had a career one in 65 million, because I’m the only undisputed champion in the four-belt era in the UK," Taylor said at a press conference on Monday. "I could be happy, but this fight, I’m right up for.
"Forget titles, championships, belts, I just want to fight this guy, and I’m up for it in training and enjoying it. The ambition and hunger are there. There are bragging rights, it’s right up there and I can’t wait."
After both men were deducted points for infractions in the later rounds of their first bout, Taylor expects another scrappy battle against his opponent when they meet in Leeds in April.
"The last time his tactics were to spoil and hold and steal the fight which is what he tried to do, and the judges didn’t like it, so if he comes to fight, great, the referee this time doesn’t allow the holding," Taylor said.
"You lost, why don’t you go and phone the police again? Write a letter to your MP again, you grass."
Needless to say, there is no love lost between the two fighters, as Taylor so succinctly explained.
"I don’t hate anyone," he said, "but I don’t like this guy and I can’t wait to smash his brains in, what little brains he’s got."
Live on DAZN: Haney vs. Garcia on April 20. Click here for details.