By Oscar Pick
ACCORDING to British boxing medical advisers, Josh Taylor has been given enough time to recover from his eye injury ahead of his anticipated rematch with Jack Catterall.
This Saturday, the pair will finally compete at the First Direct Arena, Leeds, following their controversial encounter in 2022.
The long-awaited rematch – originally scheduled for April 27 – was delayed when Taylor revealed that the pressure in his eyes was “too high”.
Dr Neil Scott, Consultant Maxillofacial/Head & Neck Surgeon and medical advisor to the British Boxing Board of Control (BBBofC), commented: “All I can say is that it is Perfectly legitimate reason for the delay.
“For fighters to have elevated intraocular pressure, which is increased pressure inside the eyeball, that’s not a very common thing that we see.”
While Dr. Scott was confident that Taylor would be completely healthy come fight night, Catterall suggested otherwise.
The questionable scores that followed their first contest — most notably Ian John-Lewis’s 114-111 scorecard — have been well documented.
Team Catterall responded with a seismic response as the former undisputed champion claimed victory.
But an interesting story, one that Catterall has exploited throughout the build-up to their second super lightweight bout, is that Taylor, 33, is damaged goods.
After undergoing minor eye surgery in February, Taylor did not downplay the risk of vision damage, despite Catterall’s emphasis and ridicule that this was the third time he had to withdraw due to injury.
“Since he intervened [in February]There was an appropriate amount of time to allow [his eye pressure to reduce]Dr. Scott said.
Symptoms of intraocular problems can include blurred vision, double vision, and problems with depth perception.
“As you can imagine, those three things can be a pretty big deal when you’re in the ring,” Dr. Scott added.
“Eye problems can impair your ability to go about your daily life, let alone perform at a high level in sports.”
Before defending his first undisputed crown, Taylor suffered a knee injury that forced Catterall to wait longer for a world title shot.
Then, after the pair collided, a rematch was scheduled a year later. That was until Taylor tore his plantar fascia and their contest – which took place last February – fell through. Instead, Taylor fights Teofimo Lopez in June.
As a result, Catterall, frustrated by the sporadic nature of his training camps with Jamie Moore, promised to deliver a performance that would end his opponent’s career once and for all.
In saying so, he suggested that Taylor’s injury had affected him, and asserted that Taylor was no longer the formidable star he once was.
For any fighter, the temptation to consider the possibility that their next opponent might go over the hill is, frankly, dangerous territory.
Leeds, UK: Josh Taylor and Jack Catterall face off for the first time in fight week ahead of their Grudge rematch on Saturday Night at First Direct Arena, Leeds. May 21, 2024 (Photo by Mark Robinson Matchroom Boxing).
However, the determination that Taylor may be in decline does not mean Catterall will go into Saturday night’s game unprepared.
Rather, it could be said that he was simply demonstrating an awareness of what his opponent would bring to the ring.
It is also important for Taylor, who will almost certainly be aware, that any damage to his eyes could lead to potentially devastating consequences.
A direct blow to the eyeball, like the one below Taylor’s right eye at the midpoint of their first fight, would risk increasing the pressure between his cornea and lens.
However great that risk may be, it is clear that Taylor still wishes to erase any doubt about his ability to comprehensively defeat his domestic opponents.
While eye injuries may not be top of mind for Taylor when he steps into the ring, from the BBBofC’s perspective, they are strictly monitored.
Every boxer licensed to compete in the UK will have a formal eye assessment, measuring their intraocular pressure, as part of their annual medical.
The fighter must then produce a performance that minimizes direct damage to their eyes, which even when protecting themselves at all times is not the easiest task.
