Taylor vs. Catterall Rematch Sells Out in Record Time

Image: Taylor vs. Catterall Rematch Sells Out in Record Time
By Jay McIntyre - 02/23/2024 - Comments

Tickets for the April 27th rematch between Josh Taylor and Jack Catterall has sold out after the first day of being on sale for their clash at the First Direct Arena in Leeds, England.

Demand Underestimated for Grudge Match

All 13,000 tickets have been sold for this Matchroom Boxing-promoted event, making some fans believe that promoter Eddie Hearn made a mistake by not choosing the O2 Arena in London, which has a seating capacity 20,000. That would have made more sense for the Taylor vs. Catterall clash.

If it’s not too late, Hearn needs to move the fight to a bigger venue, be it the O2 or Wembley Stadium. Taylor-Catterall will be shown live on DAZN in the UK and on ESPN+ in the United States.

Hearn is probably kicking himself right now for choosing the smaller venue of First Direct Arena for this clash.

Fueled by Controversy

Two years ago, former undisputed light welterweight champion Taylor (19-1, 13 KOs) defeated Catterall (28-1, 13 KOs) by a 12-round split decision in Glasgow, Scotland in February 2022. Boxing fans have been hopping mad ever since.

It’s a crying shame that it’s taken this long for the rematch to finally take place, seeing that Taylor is now viewed as 100% washed. Catterall’s career has fallen off due to his promoter matching him with three consecutive low-level opponents. This shouldn’t have happened to Catterall. If Hearn had matched him against these three killers, he would be at the top of the sport rather than at the last chance saloon:

– Ryan Garcia
– Devin Haney
– Arnold Barboza Jr

Taylor-Catterall is now viewed as yesterday’s news outside of the UK. It’s obviously still an interesting match for Brits, but it’s a stale fight with no ramifications for the world stage. The winner is going nowhere, and the loser will be finished with no hopes of ever fighting for a world title again.

Hearn: “Unbelievable Night on April 27th”

“What an incredible response for an unmissable all-British grudge match,” said Hearn. “The First Direct Arena in Leeds is completely sold out. The controversy of the first fight will be settled in an unbelievable night on April 27, live and exclusive on DAZN in the UK and around the world, part of your subscription on the global home of boxing.”