BOB ARUM CALLS JOSH TAYLOR VS JACK CATTERALL SCORECARDS A 'DISGRACE'
Boxing promoter Bob Arum was furious after Jack Catterall was handed the victory over Josh Taylor, calling the scorecards a "disgrace" during a seething rant. Arum also vowed to never allow an American boxer to fight again on British soil, after questioning the legitimacy of scores announced in the UK.
In a highly-anticipated rematch of their first bout from 2022, "justice was served" in the eyes of Eddie Hearn who celebrated Catterall's win.
Their first fight ended in controversy, as Taylor was handed a split decision win despite many feeling as though Catterall won the fight. On Saturday it was Catterall who was adjudged the winner, but this time there were few complaints as Taylor was second-best on the night.
However, once again, the scorecards raised eyebrows as the judges scored the contest 117-111, 117-111,116-113. Catterall was the deserved winner but even Hearn admitted that the scores were too "wide" compared to how close the fight was, and Arum didn't hold back in his post-fight interview.
READ MORE: Jack Catterall beats Josh Taylor by unanimous decision to claim revenge in grudge rematch Link
"Those scorecards were a disgrace. They were an absolute disgrace. And I really feel sorry for Josh, I thought he won the fight," Arum said. "And as a lesson, I will never ever allow an American fighter to come here with this British board scoring the fight. Those scores were ridiculous."
The fight was an even contest, although in the 11th round a strong left hand from Catterall almost dropped Taylor. But both fighters were completely gassed out and Catterall didn't have the energy to finish his opponent off and the bout went the distance.
The rematch was a much better fight than the first, but both competitors left it all out there over the 24 rounds combined. With one win apiece the narrative for a trilogy series is there, but both fighters appeared to brush it off as Catterall said that the "Taylor chapter was closed" after the fight.
While Hearn shared Arum's frustrations about the scorecards, he didn't agree with the American's views that Taylor should have been given the victory. Hearn had a bright smile on his face after the English fighter defeated the Scotsman, which may have added to Arum's steaming interview.
"I love Scotland, but justice was served tonight, that's for sure. Two years ago this man should have been the undisputed world champion, and it doesn't matter because tonight he wins, but he should have the belts around his waist," Hearn said.
"That was a brilliant fight. The first fight was a bit of a stinker. That was a tremendous battle. I'm so pleased this man got the victory tonight. He deserves it."
Catterall's record now improves to 29-1, with that controversial loss to Taylor the only dent to his professional boxing career. Taylor has now lost two-straight fights, after being unbeaten through 19 bouts.
2024-05-26T02:09:26Z dg43tfdfdgfd