JOSH TAYLOR was pulled apart from super-lightweight world title challenger Jack Catterall after the undisputed champ had his throat grabbed.
After weighing in 10st (140lbs) in Glasgow on Friday afternoon, the fired-up Prestonpans man steamed across the stage to confront the Manchester underdog.
Josh Taylor (left) and Jack Catterall came to blows at a heated weigh-in Credit: SNS
Taylor reacted after Catterall grabbed his throat first as tensions flared ahead of their world title fight Credit: SNS Catterall – who scaled in at 139lbs moments earlier – refused to take a step back and their foreheads met.
And it was 28-year-old southpaw Catterall who raised his hands first, using his left to grab Taylor by the neck.
The 31-year-old superstar reacted by shoving his rival away – by the throat with his own power-punching left – before security pulled the previously cordial pair apart.
Then the defending hometown hero roared: “I made the weight perfectly, I feel strong as an ox.
“He tried to put his hands on me but I knew I would get a rise and reaction out of him.
“I wanted to rile him up because tomorrow I am putting him flat on his back.
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Security were forced to step in to separate the pair Credit: SNS
Taylor and Catterall meet in Glasgow on Saturday Credit: Lawrence Lustig “The belts are staying here in Scotland.”
Catterall – nicknamed El Gato – had a loud following of fans backing him on away soil.
And he hopes it helps him stun the local legend and four-belt king of Scotland.
“He hasn’t got under my skin,” Catterall said. “I saw he started marching over towards me as soon as he weighed in.
“But I have had more support here today than he has. I am just fired up now and ready to go.
“I will keep a cool head in a hot kitchen and carry out what my team have told me to do.
“I have visualised this fight a million times and I expect boos but that will fire me up and I believe I can do it.”
Source: Boxing - thesun.co.uk
