Controversy reigns as Josh Taylor wins world title clash with Jack Catterall

Josh Taylor was handed a controversial split decision win over Jack Catterall to keep the WBC, WBA, IBF and WBO light-welterweight belts in Scotland.

Catterall looked to have got the better of the Scot in a scrappy and untidy 12 rounds which kept referee Marcus McDonnell busy.

Catterall, who put Taylor down in the eighth round, celebrated at the end and there was widespread surprise when the judges scored it 113-112 in favour of the Englishman, with the other two judges giving it 114-111 and 113-112 to the 31-year-old champion who now has a 19-0-0 record but the challenger, handed his first defeat, will wonder why.

There was quite a din inside the packed out Clydeside venue.

Taylor had not performed in front of a proper boxing crowd for well over two years due to the Covid-19 pandemic and he was relishing the electric atmosphere on his homecoming night but it did not altogether go to plan.

Catterall landed with a good left at the start of a first round which was cagey, and at times scrappy with the champion sizing up what quickly became clear was going to be a difficult task

However, Taylor began to find the target at the start of the second round with some thumping lefts which got the crowd energised again.

Both fighters had been spoken to by referee McDonnell and again in the third round Catterall was warned by the official.

The fight remained scrappy with too much grappling and holding, both fighters ducking low, especially Catterall, who found his way through in round four with some solid shots.

Round five saw Taylor again take a head shot which drew gasps from the crowd.

The Scot, marked under the right eye, was in a battle.

Catterall would not allow Taylor to load up his combinations while his own right jab was bringing some