Jack Catterall ROBBED as Josh Taylor retains world titles in ‘disgusting’ split decision despite being knocked down
JACK CATTERALL was robbed of the undisputed super-lightweight titles after a stunning performance against Josh Taylor.
And there were calls for an inquest into the judges’ scoring after Scot Taylor won a hugely controversial split decision.
Taylor, 31, 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.”
Co-promoter Ben Shalom branded the judges’ scoring “embarrassing for boxing” and demanded an inquest.
Howard Foster got it right in Glasgow — but still too close — with a score of 113-112 to Catterall. Ian John Lewis and Victor Loughlin brought shame to the sport with scores of 114-11 and 113-112.
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However, Taylor said: “I don’t think there is any need for a rematch, I won the second half of the fight, I bossed him. I made the weight well but it is getting harder and that will probably be my last fight at 140lb.”
Catterall landed a couple of stiff jabs that should have secured him the opener.
Early in the second Taylor was warned for rabbit punches thumped into the back of Catterall’s head.
Catterall’s body shape made it almost impossible for Taylor to land his shots.
Taylor landed a couple of left hooks but Catterall coped and retaliated with a precise one-two and a body blow.
It was an ugly bout but the cleaner shots were coming from the challenger.
Moore could be heard telling Catterall his performance was “f*****g perfect”.
Taylor twice complained of headbutts but he needed to worry more about the fizzing one-twos coming his way from Catterall who was growing in confidence and, before the sixth, Taylor had a cut open under his right eye.
And when they planted their feet and traded in round eight Taylor was driven into the deck for a count of eight.
Catterall slashed a left hand down into his temple and knocked the undefeated ace to his knees.
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Taylor was hurt again seconds later when a pinpoint one-two clattered into his jaw and stiffened his legs.
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Catterall lost a point in round ten for his repeated holding and shoving Taylor’s head down in the clinch.
Taylor was docked a point at the end of the eleventh, for lashing out after the bell. Taylor’s trainer Ben Davison even told him before the final round that he needed a KO to cling on to his belts.