The Top Rank fighter had emerged as a major player in the junior welterweight division in 2018, claiming an impressive unanimous decision over the former world champion, Viktor Postol.
Taylor followed that success up by claiming not one, but two world titles in 2019, first defeating Ivan Baranchyk for the IBF title in May, before adding the WBC strap in the final of the World Boxing Super Series five months later with a battling majority decision win over Regis Prograis at the O2 Arena.
Under the experienced guidance of Top Rank, he switched to trainer Ben Davison following a split with Shane McGuigan, Taylor became undisputed champion at 140 pounds by beating Jose Ramirez on points.
After Ramirez came Englishman Jack Catterall in February 2022.
BOXXER's Ben Shalom said of the decision: "I'm actually embarrassed because I'm promoting this even. That's heartbreaking for Jack. I'm embarrasse. If there's not an inquest, it's gonna harm the sport. I'm not just embarrassed, I'm really angry."
In May 2024, Catterall avenged his controversial split-decision defeat to Taylor in Glasgow two years ago, landing the heavier punches to finally settle the score in one of British boxing’s biggest grudge fights in recent memory.
This second meeting – no belts were on the line – was twice postponed, first in January 2023 due to Taylor’s foot injury and again in March this year when the Scot had a minor eye problem.
All three judges gave the fight at a sold-out First Direct Arena in Leeds to Catterall, two by scores of 117-111 and the other by 116-113, although Taylor will feel aggrieved it was not scored closer.
Taylor worked busily behind his jab in the early rounds, while southpaw Catterall enjoyed particular success with his left hook.
After an accidental clash of heads in the second round Taylor briefly backed his opponent on to the ropes, but Catterall responded with a swinging left before another head clash at the start of the third caused Taylor to wince.
Catterall landed two successive lefts at the end of the fourth and looked to take charge in the fifth, finding his range with his jab before hurting Taylor with a series of lefts and rights that pressed the Scot against the ropes.
Taylor regained his composure in the sixth despite a swelling under his right eye, but Catterall’s punches continued to be more accurate and heavier.
Two short rights from Taylor gave him momentum in the seventh as both fighters traded blows and the Scot proved more effective again in the eighth to even up the fight.
Catterall breached his opponent’s defence early in the ninth and both boxers went toe-to-toe.
Taylor stalked his man in the 10th, now looking the more menacing fighter, and landed with a right and then an uppercut.
But a thundering straight right from Catterall in the 11th had Taylor in trouble with little to separate the pair going into the final round as they punched themselves to a standstill.
The Edinburgh man’s record now stands at 20-2, with Catterall’s at 29-1 and there will now be a clamour for a decisive third meeting.
Despite being just 20 fights into his professional career, Taylor has already ensured his place in the Scottish boxing hall of fame following a truly rapid rise to prominence in the junior welterweight weight class.
In just his 13th paid fight, Taylor retained his WBC Silver title in defeating former world champion, Viktor Postol by a well-deserved, unanimous decision.
Postol, a winner over notable names including Lucas Matthysse, had just one blot on his fighting resume, that of a unanimous decision loss to Terence Crawford.
However, despite boasting far more experience than the Scot, Taylor would emerge with the unanimous verdict - 118-110, 117-110 and 119-108.
Josh Taylor (right) and Regis Prograis during the super-lightweight unification at the O2 Arena, London.
While the American Prograis came in as a slight betting favourite, it would be Taylor who would emerge victorious following a thrilling majority decision verdict, with the judges scoring it 114-114, 115-113, 117-112 in the Scotsman's favour.
Prograis had started the bout in composed fashion, the "Tartan Tornado" turned on the heat as the contest edged into the decisive championship rounds, hurting the American with solid blows in each of the eighth, ninth and 10th rounds.
In a fight where both combatants had shown their class, this was a truly memorable occasion at the O2 Arena.
Despite Taylor deserved of the judge's verdict, a right eye that had been swollen completely shut, illustrated the ferocity of the combat that the Scot had endured during 12 punishing rounds with the skilled American.
Only four years into his professional career, Taylor had emerged as a two-time world champion and the third ever winner of the Muhammad Ali Trophy and with it, a place in the hearts of Scottish fight fans for years to come.
Despite a relatively short career, Taylor has already earned some decent money in the sport with a reported net worth approaching £4million.
Having picked up an estimated £1million for his bouts with Prograis and Apinun Khongsong, the Scotsman is now set for some significant paydays with Top Rank.
The eagerly-awaited all-British rematch between Josh Taylor and Jack Catterall finally goes down this weekend as the two rivals settle their beef in Leeds on Saturday night.
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Josh Taylor fires a warning to Teofimo Lopez ahead of their New York showdown.
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Josh Taylor will defend his WBO world super lightweight title against American Teofimo Lopez on Saturday looking to reassert his dominance in the 140lbs division.
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