Jack Catterall avenges key loss; Bob Arum calls scoring ‘a shame’

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

Anybody up for a 3rd struggle?

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 resolution in a non-title rematch Saturday night time in Leeds, England.

The official scores had 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 struggle. We are able to 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. Nevertheless, Taylor gained a break up resolution.

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

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

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

The scoring in all probability was too one-sided given the competitiveness of the struggle, together with a variety of rounds that had 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.

Nevertheless, 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 occasions down the stretch.

Catterall in all probability landed the most important blow of the night time — an enormous left halfway by way of Spherical 11 that rocked Taylor — however he couldn’t end Taylor off.

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

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

“I felt that feeling final time,” he mentioned. “This time it went lots 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 mistaken man had his hand raised.

“I assumed I simply nicked the struggle, to be honest,” mentioned Taylor, who misplaced his titles to Teofimo Lopez in his earlier bout. “It was a detailed struggle. The controversy of the primary struggle in all probability performed into the judges palms. …

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

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 recommend that Catterall-Taylor III gained’t come instantly. As a substitute, Catterall, who has by no means gained a world title, will pursue one.

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

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