JACK CATTERALL’S sickening split decision undisputed world title loss to Josh Taylor on Saturday is being investigated.
The British Boxing Board of Control will ask the three ringside judges who decided the controversial outcome to explain their cards at a behind-closed-doors meeting.
Josh Taylor held on to his world titles at the weekend – but it was a lucky victory
Jack Catterall could not believe he was not given the decision by the judges
A Monday statement read: “The British Boxing Board of Control will be investigating the scoring of this contest and will advise accordingly.”
Ian John-Lewis has the most baffling numbers to defend after gifting Taylor an inexplicably comfortable win of 114-111.
That was despite the 31-year-old Scotsman making a slow start, getting floored in round eight and having a point deducted at the end of the 11th.
Victor Loughlin refereed Kell Brook’s win over Amir Khan last week brilliantly, pulling the Bolton braveheart out of the fire when he was at risk of serious injury.
But his judging of the Glasgow headliner will be examined after he called it 113-112 to the home fighter and defending champion.
Howard Foster was the only judge to get the result correct but even handing it to 28-year-old Catterall by 112-113 seemed harsh.
On paper, undefeated super-lightweight king Taylor – who must not face any blame – was always supposed to win the bout.
His American promoters Top Rank had flown 30 executives over for the bout he was expected to win handily before moving up in weight and facing a welterweight champ.
But Catterall put on a brilliant performance, guided expertly by trainers Jamie Moore and Nigel Travis, only to be robbed when the scores were revealed.
The Sky Sports commentary team was stunned and new promoter Ben Shalom boldly admitted he was “embarrassed” and called for an inquest at the BBBofC.
Sadly the expectation is the three long-time officials will be called in to rationalise their scoring and their explanations will be accepted, with a brief demotion the most severe possible punishment.
In October 2020 Miguel Vazquez suffered a similarly shameful points loss against Newcastle’s Lewis Ritson in Peterborough.
Terry O’Connor’s 117-111 card, in the Brit favourite’s favour, was one of the worst this reporter has ever seen live.
O’Connor was relegated to a handful of smaller shows – taking in South Kirkby, Redditch, Bolton and a Sheffield car park during lockdown – but he returned to big time boxing with duties at the Chris Eubank Jr win over Liam Williams in Cardiff at the start of February.
Taylor revealed immediately in the aftermath that he will relinquish his belts and move up to 147lbs.
But Catterall will not get a well deserved shot at all of the four major belts.
The anctioning bodies – WBC, WBA, IBF and WBO – all have a range of different fighters listed in their own rankings waiting for a shot at each belt.
But British boxing recognises Catterall as the uncrowned king of the 10st division and will continue pushing for some sort of justice.
Catterall floored Taylor in the eighth round and was devastated not to be awarded the win
