Josh Taylor retains titles with a split decision over Jack Catterall wins but it's controversial
Many spectators were furious with the decision on Saturday night, including promoter Ben Shalom
Josh Taylor is still the undisputed super lightweight champion, but Jack Catterall made his case with a gutsy performance, even knocking the champion down for the first time in his career. The fight stats showed the challenger landed 166 punches to Taylor's 85. However, he was left shaking his head at the result and left the arena swiftly after the cards were read.
Taylor retained his hoard of titles by split decision (114-111, 113-112, 112-113) in front of a raucous, sold-out crowd of 12,101 partisan supporters Saturday evening at OVO Hydro in Glasgow, Scotland.
Taylor (19-0, 13 KOs) had a challenging night in his first bout since unifying all four belts last May against Jose Ramirez. He was knocked to the deck in the eighth round, courtesy of a clever chopping left hand. After Catterall (26-1, 13 KOs) had a point deducted for holding in the 10th, Taylor was penalised for a shot after the 11th round bell had sounded.
The 12th round was fought in close quarters, and when the final bell rang, the capacity crowd awaited the verdict, which was greeted with disbelief as Taylor prevailed by the closest of margins, keeping his undisputed championship and the promise of bigger fights.
This is what Taylor had to say after the fight: "I started a little slow, but once I grabbed the momentum, I started catching him with the bigger shots. He was trying to spoil a lot. Going down and up a lot and clashing my head. He caught me with a couple of good shots. I’m not gonna lie to you. It wasn’t my best performance. I put a lot of pressure on myself with it being my homecoming. Been three years, first time since lockdown and all that. I put a lot of pressure on myself being the heavy favorite and it showed in the first half of the fight.
"Once I got my rhythm I started catching him with the bigger shots and catching him and catching him. It wasn’t my best performance, but I believe I got the win 100 percent. But Jack did very well.
"I knew I won the fight. It was close. Overall I scored the bigger shots, the better shots, the more meaningful shots so I know I won the fight. It was a little bit close, but I know I won the fight."
Others disagree, such as 'El Gato's' trainer, Jamie Moore, who spoke angrily to the cameras after the fight, "It's difficult to put into words. You're talking about a kid that's worked all his life to wait for that moment. He stepped aside to allow Taylor to become unified champion. He performs like that beats the champion in his own back yard and gets robbed. It's disgusting. I don;t know what to say."
Promoter Ben Shalom stated, "I love this sport and we try to keep our integrity, but tonight is really difficult. That's heartbreaking for Jack. I’m not just embarrassed, I’m really angry."
Jack, himself, took to Instagram to share his pain the morning after defeat, "You know what hurts the most, it wasn’t for me I done all of this for my family my team my town and country. My baby girl and misses, our future. Today I should of been waking up with all of the belts. 15 months out the ring, they all wrote me off. F***ed me in every way possible for over two years, finally got the fight. Sacrificed everything to fight one of the top p4p ranked fighters, gave him a lesson. For what. Boxing shame on you."
He summed up what everyone was thinking in two short words: "Dreams stolen."
Former British champion Matt Marsh responded to the post with: "The face says it all, you won that fight."
Carl Frampton tweeted: "I love Josh. I love Jack. But the wrong man got his hand raised."
Spike O'Sullivan reacted to the results simply with: "Boxing is a joke."
Multi-award winning broadcaster and namesake Adam Catterall said, "That might be one of the worst decisions I’ve ever seen Disgusting."
Boxing Exposure tweeted: "Absolutely disgusting decision Jack Catterall should be undisputed champion. Josh Taylor somehow got the decision."
Respected journalist Dan Rafael said: "Whatever you think of the decision in #TaylorCatterall we can all agree referee Marcus McDonnell was an embarrassment."
Betting giant Paddy Power made this bold move: "We agree with Twitter, #TaylorCatterall was an absolute robbery… So we’re refunding stakes as cash on Catterall to win in the match betting market. (It’ll take a while so please be patient!)."
Even footballer Michael Owen was incensed by the decision: "Boxing is such a great sport but decisions like that are a disgrace and call into question the integrity of the game."
Top Gear presenter Paddy McGuiness also contributed: "I love Boxing but the corrupt side is infuriating. Who are these judges and why are they never held accountable? A ref gets it wrong in football and they’re hauled over the coals! Josh Taylor is a great fighter but Jack Catterall won that fight. Gutted for him."
World Boxing News didn't hold back: "The biggest robbery in British boxing history as Jack Catterall is mugged."
Former world champion Josh Warrington was miffed: "Thought Catterall had done more than enough then."
British super welterweight champion Troy Williamson tweeted: "Wow that is incredible. That is a joke. Wasn't really that close IMO. Josh Taylor did not win that fight tonight, harsh harsh decision. Really feel for Jack Catterall."
MTK Global gave this statement: "The judges didn't score it for Jack Catterall, but he gave absolutely everything and performed incredibly. He may not have been given the verdict tonight, but he will still be world champion one day."
Boxing journalist Chisanga Malata said: "Imagine how Jack Catterall feels now: You work your entire life for a chance to get a world title shot. You turn in a stunning upset performance on enemy territory. And you get done by ridiculous judges who won’t face any repercussions. Sickening."
Brighton footballer Sean Duffy said: "I’m josh Taylor’s biggest fan but that is actually the most insane outcome I’ve ever seen."
Sam Eggington shared: "That’s gotta be looked at again, I can’t be the only one who thought that decision was wrong!!"
One boxing fan singled out the judge who scored the contest widely for Taylor: "This is the face of corruption in Boxing. His name is Ian John Lewis. He’s the judge who scored the fight 114-111 to Taylor. This is no real surprise as he is known for being a ‘home judge’. This clown should be removed from boxing completely."
Former fighter George Jupp took to Facebook to share his opinion: "Boxing is the most corrupt sport in the world, not a chance did Taylor win that fight! Catterall boxing IQ and skill won that fight."
However, Saturday Night Boxing writer Adam Abramowitz was one of very few to agree with the scoring, stating, "I had Taylor winning 113-112. No issue with Catterall winning by the same margin."
HÖRFA are proud sponsors of British Boxing News