Boxing Enthusiasts Demand Answers After Controversial Scorecards in Josh Taylor-Jack Catterall Rematch
The highly anticipated rematch between Scotland’s Josh Taylor and England’s Jack Catterall at Leeds’ First Direct Arena has left the boxing community in an uproar over the judges’ scorecards. Despite Catterall’s clear dominance throughout the 12 entertaining rounds, the 30-year-old challenger was handed a devastating defeat, with two scores of 117-111 and a third of 116-113 in favor of the defending champion.
Top Rank’s Bob Arum, Taylor’s promoter, was present at the ringside and did not hold back his criticism of the scoring, labeling it as “a disgrace” and “an absolute disgrace.” Arum expressed his sympathy for Taylor, stating, “I thought he won the fight. But those scorecards were ridiculous.”
Matchroom’s Eddie Hearn, Catterall’s promoter, echoed similar sentiments, acknowledging that the judges’ scorecards were “too wide.” Hearn, however, affirmed that “the winner was bang on” and that “justice was served tonight.” He praised Catterall’s performance, stating, “He deserves to be world champion.”
The controversial decision has ignited a wave of outrage among boxing enthusiasts, who believe that Catterall was the rightful winner of the rematch. This latest scoring controversy comes just two years after Taylor’s narrow victory over Catterall in their first encounter, which was also met with widespread criticism.
Arum’s statement about “never, ever allow[ing] an American fighter to come here with this British [Boxing] Board [of Control] scoring the fight” has further fueled the debate surrounding the integrity of the judging process in the United Kingdom.
As the boxing community grapples with the aftermath of this decision, the focus now turns to the potential for a third fight between Taylor and Catterall, with Hearn expressing his desire to see Catterall challenge and “hopefully win a world championship.”
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