The timetable is not immediately known for the oft-rescheduled Josh Taylor-Jack Catterall rematch.

A hard deadline is in place, however, for Taylor to justify why he should remain champion.

Scotland’s Taylor must comply with the WBO’s official Interim Medical Certification notice, with the lineal and WBO junior welterweight champion required to show within the next five days, proof of injury that will leave him out of the ring for another 6-8 weeks. The development comes in the wake of Taylor having to postpone his planned March 4 rematch with England’s Catterall, marking at least the third delay in such plans for the pair to once again meet in the ring.

“Please be advised that on January 21, 2023, official boxing news outlet “BoxingScene” reported that the above-

referenced fighter suffered a tear plantar fascia, forcing a postponement of his previously scheduled title defense against Jack Catterall on March 4, 2023, at the OVO Hydro Arena in Glasgow, Scotland, United Kingdom,” WBO Championship Committee chairman Luis Batista-Salas informed Top Rank’s Bob Arum, Taylor’s promoter, via official letter, a copy of which was provided to BoxingScene.com.

“Therefore, considering the foregoing, Mr. Taylor is hereby ordered to submit within the next 5 days upon issuance of this notice a detailed medical explanation of his injury, findings, recovery prognosis, and his orthopedic specialist’s opinion as to when will he be physically and medically cleared to compete and return to active competition.”

As previously reported by BoxingScene.com, Taylor suffered a torn plantar fascia, which affects mobility on the arch of the foot. Word of the injury made the rounds just prior to a Sky Sports Box Office event this past Saturday, where Taylor and Catterall were both on site at AO Arena in Manchester, England to promote their rescheduled rematch, which was already pushed back from last November and then moved from a targeted late January/early February time frame.

A press conference was planned Monday in Manchester to formally announce the championship rematch, but the session was since canceled in light of Taylor’s injury.

Neither boxer has fought since their tightly contested affair last February 26 in Glasgow. Taylor (19-0, 13KOs) was considered fortunate to escape with a split decision win and his undisputed championship reign still intact. Most observers had England’s Catterall (26-1, 13KOs) winning the fight after the British southpaw jumped out to a dominant start and even floored Taylor near the end of round eight.  

Taylor was since relieved of his WBA, WBC and IBF titles for failure to honor ordered mandatory title defenses. Catterall was the WBO mandatory heading into their first meeting, with the rematch regarded as a voluntary defense.

The Scotsman is now at risk of losing his last remaining alphabet title outside the ring.

“Failure to comply with this order will result in Mr. Taylor waiving all rights hereunder and with the Committee proceeding per WBO Regulations of World Championship Contests,” noted Batista-Salas.

There was talk of an interim version of the WBO 140-pound title being made available should Catterall choose to take a stay-busy fight while awaiting the Taylor rematch. Such a determination will come upon resolution of this matter, along with a firm update on when Taylor is expected to be cleared for a ring return.  

Jake Donovan is a senior writer for BoxingScene.com. Twitter: @JakeNDaBox