Josh Taylor vs. Jack Catterall II & Paddy Donovan vs. Lewis Ritson + Cully vs. Patera RBR.

That's the narrative being pushed and I do think he's declined a bit, but I also thought he did better in this fight than he did in his last two fights, he never had Catterall in trouble in the first fight like he did in this fight. So I don't think he's anywhere near shot, maybe a little faded due to poor lifestyle choices and accumulation of damage as he's always been pretty easy to hit.

 

It is a bit of both. Taylor always had defensive holes and skill limitations, but he also isn't as quick or as sharp now as he was in his 2019 peak.

Catterall would never be an easy fight for him. Even in his prime. I think a lot of guys on here have put the prime Taylor on too high a pedestal.

Prime Taylor still dropped 4 rounds to Baranchyk and was hurt in that fight.

He was never ever a dominant fighter. In fact, the last guy I can remember him truly dominating was Ryan Martin, but Martin was a total bum.

 

Taylor always had a good engine. Still does. It was his best attribute. He never beat guys with skill. He beat people because he was bigger and more relentless. That's why he can't move to 147. He relies on winning fights through sheer size not skill.

 

Take away his holding, his huge size advantage, giraffe neck arms, and awkwardness and he's useless


It’s quite a lot you are “ taking away” from a fighter in your list. But I understand what you mean.

 

I do not think so. He looks slightly declined. Which is to be expected. Age 33 is around the time you would expect a Jr Welterweight to start showing a little bit of age. The lower the weight class the younger you decline. 33 is like 35 in LHW years and maybe even 36 in HW years.