Josh Taylor remains the undisputed super-lightweight world champion after a hugely controversial split-decision win
(Picture: Action Images via Reuters)Taylor vs Catterall - LIVE!
Josh Taylor is still the undisputed super-lightweight champion of the world, but most will feel that he definitely should not be.
There was a stunned reaction to the announcement of his split-decision win over Jack Catterall at the OVO Hydro in Glasgow on Saturday night.
The ‘Tartan Tornado’ - Britain’s first undisputed champion of the four-belt era - struggled on an off-night on his return to action in Scotland after last year’s superb triumph over Jose Ramirez, being knocked down in round eight as his WBO mandatory challenger from Lancashire had the better of most of an absorbing, if sometimes scrappy main event.
However, judges Ian John-Lewis and Victor Loughlin scored it 114-111 and 113-112 in Taylor’s favour, leading Catterall’s team to lament what they felt was a “disgusting” decision, with the boxing world seemingly united in their opposition.
BOXXER promoter Ben Shalom described the judging as “embarrassing” on an uncomfortable night for British boxing.
Elsewhere on the undercard, two-time Olympic gold medallist Robeisy Ramirez delivered an eye-catching stoppage of Ireland’s Eric Donovan and the Scottish heavyweight title was contested for the first time in 71 years as Nick Campbell stopped Jay McFarlane in an odd spectacle.
Boxing schedule and results
Josh Taylor bt Jack Catterall
Robeisy Ramirez bt Eric Donovan
Nick Campbell bt Jay McFarlane
Paddy Donovan bt Miroslav Serban
Ebonie Jones draw Effy Kathopouli
John Docherty bt Jordan Grant
Kurt Walker bt Jaroslav Hriadel
Kieran Molloy bt Damian Esquisabel
Mark McKeown bt Engel Gomez
