JOSH TAYLOR has vacated another of his world light-welterweight titles for a rematch against Brit rival Jack Catterall.
Taylor overcame Catterall, 29, in Glasgow in February this year following a hotly-disputed split decision and there has been a clamour for a return bout.
The two Brits went toe-to-toe for the undisputed super-lightweight titles in February
Many felt that Catterall was robbed of the undisputed super-lightweight titles after a stunning performance against the Scot.
And there were calls for an inquest into the judges’ scoring after Taylor won a hugely controversial bout.
Having already forfeited his WBA belt, the 31-year-old has now given up the WBC crown as the sanctioning body ordered Jose Carlos Ramirez to fight Jose Zepeda for the vacant strap.
Taylor, who has indicated his preference for a second contest against England’s Catterall, had been due to take on Zepeda but the Prestonpans fighter revealed his upcoming nuptials have led to a rethink.
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He tweeted: “At this moment I would not be able to commit to this defence so soon after getting married.
“I hope to be able to compete for a WBC title again in the future when the time is right.
“I wish all the best to Zepeda and Ramirez in competing for this title.”
Taylor remains the IBF and WBO champion, having apparently decided to remain at 140lbs rather than move up to welterweight, as he had originally planned to do in the aftermath of his win over Catterall.
The organisation said on Twitter: “The WBC truly regrets having lost so much time and having mandatory contender Jose Zepeda frozen as well as other fighters in the division.
“We wish Josh Taylor success in his future inside and outside the ring.”
Taylor immediately tweeted his competitor writing: “Happy birthday Jack Caterall.”
In February’s contest, Taylor had been knocked down once and had a point deducted, while Catterall landed nearly twice as many punches.
Catterall’s trainer Jamie Moore seethed: “I can’t put it into words.
“He has worked all his life for that moment, he waited three years, did the right things, performs like that, beats the champion in his own backyard and gets robbed.
“What message does that send to the people at home? It’s disgusting.
“Sky have asked him to come down and talk but how is he going to do that? He is absolutely heartbroken.”
