Josh Taylor v Jack Catterall: Long-awaited rematch will take in Leeds on 27 April

Josh Taylor won a split decision against Jack Catterall in Glasgow back in February 2022

A long-awaited rematch between Josh Taylor and Jack Catterall will take place in Leeds on 27 April.

Taylor won a contentious split decision in Glasgow in February 2022 when his WBC, WBA, IBF and WBO light-welterweight belts were on the line.

Plans for a rematch in March 2023 were then scuppered by an injury to Taylor.

"It's been a long time coming," Taylor told BBC Scotland. "For two years he's been running his gums and living off my name."

Leeds' First Direct Arena is the venue for the non-title bout following a prolonged spell of negotiations and trading insults.

• Taylor plans busy year including Catterall rematch

"The biggest fight of his career [when the two first met] and it was a loss," added Scotland's Taylor.

"He got the worst version of me and he still couldn't win. This time around he's going to get a real beatdown and I'm looking forward to landing every single punch.

"The natural needle is there between him and I. We've both said stuff to each other throughout the last couple of years so I'm looking forward to getting in there and giving him a good hiding and moving on with my career."

Taylor has fought just once since his first meeting with England's Catterall, the 33-year-old Scot losing his WBO crown to Teofimo Lopez in New York in June.

He had vacated the other three world titles before the first defeat of his professional career.

Catterall held on to his British title in October, when the 30-year-old had a unanimous decision victory over veteran Jorge Linares.

"I have been a man of my word, I've given him everything that he wants," said Taylor.

"It's back at 140 [lbs], at the weight that he wanted. It's in England, away from Scotland, neutral territory in Leeds, that's another one I'm giving him.

"He can't come away this time and say 'it's because it was in Scotland', forgetting that the English judges gave the decision to me. It was nothing to do with being in Scotland.

"I'm glad that this one is finally done and we can get back to business and settle the score once and for all. Just put the doubters to bed and put him back in his little box."

"A few people say 'move on Jack', and that's easy to say to when you're not in my position," Catterall said.

"This isn't about belts, this is personal to me, and I can't wait to get my hands on him. I don't like him, I don't respect him and on April 27 I'm going to end him."

Boxing promoter Eddie Hearn said he expected the bout to generate "huge noise" among fight fans.

"This is a classic example of a fight we really needed to get made to bring a mega-fight to the UK," he told BBC Sport.

"It will almost be two years to the day from when we saw one of the most controversial fights of our generation. Since then it's been non-stop back and forth. Arguing, debate, bickering. Now we have it on.

"It was really important for us to make these kinds of fights, once which will make huge noise."