Josh Taylor and Jack Catterall have discovered themselves embroiled in a fierce all-British rivalry following the controversy of their first encounter and their respective behaviours since. Because the duo put together to settle their variations within the ring on Saturday night time, we seemed again on a number of the United Kingdom’s most hotly-anticipated rematches.
5. Liam Smith vs Chris Eubank Jr.
Liam Smith shocked the world when he knocked out Chris Eubank Jr. after transferring up in weight, appeasing followers in attendance who portrayed the Scouser as the common-or-garden working-class hero in opposition to the smug pantomime villain.
In consequence, the profession of Eubank Jr. was on the road when the contrasting duo collided for a second event and the nation tuned in to see the demise of the son of a equally controversial British boxing legend.
Nonetheless, on battle night time it was a unique story as a clearly troubled Smith was out-battled and knocked out by his foe as Eubank obtained his candy revenge to get his profession again on monitor, leaving ‘Beefy’ out within the chilly and positioning himself for a shot on the middleweight world title – a shot which he’s nonetheless but to take.
4. Tony Bellew vs David Haye
Former heavyweight world champion got here again from nearly 4 years away from the ring to safe two early knockout wins earlier than organising a grudge match with WBC cruiserweight champion Tony Bellew.
Nonetheless, of their first encounter, previous accidents got here again to hang-out ‘The Hayemaker’ – who ruptured his Achillies tendon within the sixth-round however fought via the ache earlier than his nook threw within the towel within the eleventh.
Sustaining that he would have claimed victory with out the harm, Bellew and Haye met as soon as once more simply over a yr after their first encounter. Though the harm was not obvious within the rematch, the age of David Haye was – as he was unable to each time and sustain with an explosive Bellew, who floored his rival thrice earlier than claiming a TKO win within the fifth.
3. Tony Bellew vs Nathan Cleverly
Six years previous to victory over Haye, Bellew was much less profitable in a extra intense rivalry with Nathan Cleverly who placed on a British traditional after a heated battle week, with Cleverly being awarded with a majority-decision win and being topped because the WBO light-heavyweight champion.
In 2014, the pair met once more however this time within the cruiserweight division, the place additional pleasure appeared inevitable. But, the rematch between Cleverly and Bellew will likely be perpetually remembered as a monumental disappointment, as Bellew obtained his vengeance in an amazingly uninteresting showdown, no matter one more fierce build-up.
2. Carl Froch vs. George Groves
The story of Froch and Groves is a story that will likely be handed on for generations because the super-middleweight rivals lock horns and had the nation really fixated on boxing. Froch had already gained the hearts of his followers in Britain via super coronary heart and willingness to battle anyone however the up-and-coming Groves was definitely no mug.
After dominating the early exchanges and dropping ‘The Cobra’ within the opening spherical, Groves gave the impression to be on his strategy to the upset win, till Froch appeared to harm his countryman within the ninth-round while behind on the playing cards.
Earlier than Groves had the prospect to shake off the ache, referee Howard Foster jumped in and waived off the competition in one of the controversial moments in British boxing historical past.
A decided Groves was wanting to proper the wrongs of the primary battle and his rematch with Froch was so gripping to the British public that it noticed Wembley Stadium host a boxing occasion for the primary time in nearly 20 years and was the primary card staged on the residence of English soccer because the floor was rebuilt in 2007.
On this event, Froch gave the impression to be much more motivated, eager to silence his doubters however nonetheless the battle was extraordinarily tight till Froch landed a peach of a straight-right within the eighth-round – a stoppage that no person might complain about this time round.
1. Chris Eubank vs. Nigel Benn
Nonetheless, on the subject of British rivalries, it would take one thing otherworldly to trump the standard of and hatred between Chris Eubank and Nigel Benn.
As his son is right now, Eubank was an uncommon character however an especially gifted boxer, Nigel Benn was fairly merely a fearless fighter, constructed on hard-work, grit and toughness, and their opposing personalities had been clear to see earlier than they stepped via the ropes with the WBO middleweight title up for grabs.
After they first clashed – a struggle ensued. After 9 thrilling rounds, the slick and correct Eubank proved an excessive amount of for Benn, who took too many pictures for the referee’s liking and was stopped on his ft. A visibly broken and relieved Eubank screamed to the heavens in celebration of his most arduous victory, earlier than describing Benn as an ‘animal’ within the post-fight interview.
Three years on and Benn and his nemesis crossed paths once more, this time in a unification bout for the WBO and WBC super-middleweight titles, though satisfaction was extra of a motivating issue than any belt. Infatuated by the conflicting personas, the world of boxing stood nonetheless and bear witness to a different British traditional.
As anticipated, Benn utilized stress all through however this time it was calculated, proving to be extra than simply the brawler that Eubank and others perceived him to be, leading to a extra tactical affair. With each males feeling as if they wanted the twelfth-round to win, Eubank and Benn stood and traded leather-based earlier than the judges dominated the battle as a draw.
Taylor-Catterall II takes place in Leeds on Saturday night time and has all of the makings of one more well-known all-British rematch, following on from what’s widely-received as one of many worst judging selections in latest reminiscence after they toe-to-toe in Scotland in February 2022.
The total card will likely be out there to observe reside on DAZN and incorporates a additional a British cruiserweight title match-up between Chev Clarke and Ellis Zorro on the undercard.
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