JACK CATTERALL broke his silence by blasting the ‘criminal’ decision to award Josh Taylor the win with an X-rated tweet.
The Chorley fighter looked to have snatched the light-welterweight world titles with an emphatic performance in Glasgow, which included a knock down in the eighth round.
Jack Catterall thought he had done enough to be crowned world champion
The split decision went against him as Josh Taylor retained the belts
But after initially celebrating the victory after the final bell, he was stunned to hear Taylor retained the WBA, WBC, IBF and WBO belts on a split decision – and duly stormed off.
Catterall took to Twitter just before 1am to make his feelings known after being robbed of a stunning victory.
He wrote: “What a load of s***!”
And the vast majority of the boxing world agreed with the heartbroken 28-year-old.
Dillian Whyte simply said: “Disgusting.”
Peter Fury added: “Wow boxing’s just gone through the floor. What a disgraceful night for boxing. Feel for Jack Catterall and the whole team there.”
Josh Taylor ??????? undisputed super-lightweight world champion after winning via split decision.
113-112 Catterall
— Sky Sports Boxing (@SkySportsBoxing) February 26, 2022
Carl Frampton commented: “I love Josh. I love Jack. But the wrong man got his hand raised.”
Liam Smith replied: “Big fan of Josh Taylor, that was disgusting.”
Johnny Nelson said: “I am so surprised. I gave Taylor four rounds. That was it.
“I can’t believe it and I feel so sorry for Catterall. It’s decisions like this which turn casual fans off. Josh Taylor did not win that fight.”
And Natasha Jonas weighed in: “I love and respect Josh but it wasn’t his night.”
Catterall refused to comment after the judges’ scores were announced.
But his trainer Jamie Moore revealed how the team felt betrayed after 36 minutes of stunning boxing from their man.
Moore told Sky Sports: “It’s difficult to put into words how we feel.
“You’re talking about a kid who has worked all his life for that moment. He waited three years for that opportunity.
“He did the right thing for boxing on the promise he would get the opportunity. He beat the champion in his own backyard and gets absolutely robbed.
“Think about the message that sends. My son will think, ‘Why should I get into boxing.’
“It was snatched away. It’s disgusting. He is absolutely heartbroken.”
Taylor celebrates with his loved ones after the controversial win
Catterall put on a brilliant performance which included an eighth-round knock down
