Josh Taylor has been ordered by the WBO to prove that he has torn a tendon in his foot after once again postponing his rematch with Jack Catterall.
The super-lightweight world champion won a controversial decision against Catterall in Glasgow last year and the pair were due to return to the same arena for a rematch on March 4. However, he was forced to push the fight back as much as 12 weeks after suffering an injury which will require a lengthy recovery.
Their initial bout took place for the undisputed title at super-lightweight, but after Taylor took his time deliberating on what to do next, the other three governing bodies stripped him of his belts. Now, he could risk losing the fourth one after a letter was written to his promoter imploring him to prove the legitimacy of his injury.
In a letter to Bob Arum dated January 21, the WBO said: "Mr Taylor is hereby ordered to submit within the next five days upon issuance of this notice. We require a detailed medical explanation of his injury, findings, and recovery prognosis. We also need his orthopaedic specialist’s opinion on when he will be physically and medically cleared to compete and return to active competition.
"Failure to comply with this order will result in Mr Taylor waiving all rights. His rights [as a champion] with the Committee proceeding per WBO Regulations of World Championship Contests. Lastly, the WBO World Championship Committee reserves its right to issue all necessary rulings, helpful and convenient to accomplish the purposes and policies.
"It’s intent of the WBO Rules and Regulations of World Championship Contests, including serving the best interests of the WBO Jr. Welterweight Division."
Who do you think wins the rematch between Josh Taylor and Jack Catterall? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below!
Taylor and Catterall got into it at ringside last weekend as they were watching an undercard bout at the Chris Eubank Jr versus Liam Smith event in Manchester. They exchanged words before Taylor jumped to his feet to square up to his rival, with whom he has now had two fights cancelled.
There was a hot debate over the scores for their first meeting, with many feeling that Catterall had done enough to become the undisputed champion. He dropped Taylor early and appeared to win enough rounds, but the fight ended up going the champion's way in his home country.
"I was absolutely rubbish but I got the right result," Taylor said after the fight. "There’s not anybody in this world that can convince me that I thought I lost the fight. I didn’t think I did lose the fight. I thought I won it by a point or two. I thought he was very negative, on the back foot, holding and I think he should’ve had more than one point taken off him for excessive holding. It’s been and done. I got the decision."
