At just 33 years old, Josh Taylor has retired from boxing — and while the headlines scream “former undisputed champion”, the truth underneath is a little murkier. Taylor’s career has been a whirlwind of highs, controversy, and missed opportunities. So now that the gloves are off for good, what are we left with? A Scottish icon? A cautionary tale? Or something in between?
Let’s break it down.
From Tartan Tornado to Undisputed History
There’s no taking away what Taylor achieved at his peak. In 2021, he became the first man to unify all four belts at super-lightweight in the four-belt era, beating José Ramírez in a performance that showcased everything fans loved about him — grit, skill, and spite in equal measure.
That win made him Scotland’s first undisputed champion since Ken Buchanan.
He also tore through the World Boxing Super Series, defeating top contenders and proving he belonged among the elite. At that moment, Josh Taylor felt like boxing’s next big star. But it didn’t last.
The Catterall Controversy — A Turning Point?
Let’s not pretend it didn’t matter. The Jack Catterall fight in 2022, which Taylor won by a highly controversial split decision, changed everything. Fans turned. Pundits questioned him. And while Taylor remained defiant, insisting he’d won, the damage to his reputation was already done.
That fight — in front of his home fans in Glasgow — should’ve been a triumphant title defence. Instead, it’s remembered as one of the most disputed decisions in recent British boxing history.
The long-promised rematch never happened. Injuries, delays, and politics got in the way. And by the time Taylor returned…
Back-to-Back Defeats — Was the Writing on the Wall?
When Taylor stepped in with Teofimo Lopez at Madison Square Garden in 2023, he was stripped down to one belt and fighting to stay relevant. What followed was a one-sided defeat — Taylor looked sluggish, reactive, and a world away from his prime.
Then came Jack Catterall II in May 2024. This time, Catterall made sure there were no doubts, outpointing Taylor cleanly over 12 rounds.
Two defeats in a row. No belts. No clear path back. Suddenly, the Josh Taylor retirement makes a bit more sense.
But it also leaves that lingering question: did he go out on his own terms, or was he pushed?
The Verdict: Fulfilled Potential — Or Unfinished Story?
Josh Taylor’s career will always be defined by that run to undisputed. He beat the best, in their primes, on his way to making history.
But in truth, he fought just once a year from 2020 onwards. Injuries, inactivity, and a failure to ride the momentum of his undisputed status meant the flame that burned so bright also fizzled out far too quickly.
He could have defended those belts multiple times. He could have fought Catterall in an immediate rematch. He could’ve moved to welterweight and tested himself in a new division. But none of that happened.
So where does that leave his legacy?
In Scotland, he’ll always be a legend. For boxing purists, he’ll be remembered as one of the best ever at 140lbs. But for others — especially the newer fans who only saw his last two fights — the name Josh Taylor might not carry the weight it once did.
Josh Taylor Retirement — Right Call or Regret?
At 33, retirement isn’t shocking. Plenty of fighters have hung up the gloves earlier. But for someone with Taylor’s pedigree, it feels… unsatisfying. Not tragic. Not disgraceful. Just unfinished.
Still, boxing’s a brutal business. He walks away with his health, his mind intact, and a place in history. That’s more than most.
Over to You — What’s Taylor’s Legacy?
Was the Josh Taylor retirement the right move at the right time? Did he do enough to cement himself as a British great — or did he leave too much on the table?
Drop your thoughts in the comments, share this post with other boxing fans, and head over to CMBoxing for more straight-talking analysis, no fluff. Let’s keep this conversation alive.