Jack Catterall avenges disputed loss to Josh Taylor; Bob Arum calls scoring 'a shame'

(This story initially revealed on MMA Junkie sister-site BoxingJunkie.com)

Anybody up for a 3rd combat?

Jack Catterall, who needed to settle for a controversial defeat the primary time he fought then-undisputed 140-pound champion Josh Taylor, defeated his rival by a unanimous choice in a non-title rematch Saturday evening in Leeds, England.

The official scores have been 117-111, 117-111 and 116-112. Boxing Junkie scored it 115-113 for Catterall, seven rounds to 5.

“It’s bitter candy tonight,” Catterall mentioned. “No world titles. I gained the combat. We will shut that chapter with Josh Taylor.”

Many consider that Catterall deserved the nod within the first assembly, in February 2022 in Taylor’s native Scotland. Nonetheless, Taylor gained a cut up choice.

Few will declare that Taylor was robbed on Saturday, though his U.S. promoter Bob Arum referred to as the scoring “a shame” and vowed by no means to convey an American fighter to the U.Ok. once more.

Bob Arum: These scorecards have been a shame.pic.twitter.com/ewEwRgFWJY

— Jed I. Goodman © (@jedigoodman) Might 25, 2024

The scoring most likely was too one-sided given the competitiveness of the combat, together with a lot of rounds that have been tough to attain.

Catterall (29-1, 13 KOs) managed the primary half of the bout, taking the motion to his opponent, usually beating him to the punch and touchdown the tougher photographs.

Nonetheless, Taylor, evidently conscious that victory was getting away from him, rallied within the second half by shifting into one other gear. He matched his rival punch for punch and had him backing up at instances down the stretch.

Catterall most likely landed the largest blow of the evening — an enormous left halfway by means of Spherical 11 that rocked Taylor — however he couldn’t end Taylor off.

Ultimately, Catterall’s capacity to dictate the tempo and land the cleaner photographs evidently earned him the largest victory of his profession.

He was nervous but additionally assured within the moments earlier than the choice was introduced.

“I felt that feeling final time,” he mentioned. “This time it went so much faster and was extra conclusive. There was a protracted wait final time, however I knew I’d completed it [on Saturday].”

Taylor (19-2, 13 KOs) wasn’t as vociferous as Arum in his condemnation of the scoring however the former champion believes the unsuitable man had his hand raised.

“I believed I simply nicked the combat, to be honest,” mentioned Taylor, who misplaced his titles to Teofimo Lopez in his earlier bout. “It was an in depth combat. The controversy of the primary combat most likely performed into the judges palms. …

“Pay attention, honest play to Jack. He gained the combat. Let’s do a 3rd one. Why not? That was a great combat.”

Catterall was requested afterward whether or not he’d do it once more with Taylor. “Over to Ed,” he mentioned, nodding towards promoter Eddie Hearn, who was standing subsequent to him within the ring.

Hearn appeared to counsel that Catterall-Taylor III gained’t come instantly. As an alternative, Catterall, who has by no means gained a world title, will pursue one.

“The third combat is an enormous combat however he deserves to be world champion. That’s bought to be the main focus,” he mentioned. “We’re deep at 140. Subriel Matias fights Liam Paro arising. We’ve bought Devin Haney towards Sandor Martin.

“I’d like to see this man problem and rightfully win a world championship.”