Josh Taylor clings on to undisputed crown but controversial points decision opens door to Jack Catterall rematch

Josh Taylor clung on to all of the belts in the light welterweight division by the skin of his teeth.

The Tartan Tornado managed to scratch out a points win against England’s Jack Catterall – but in hugely controversial circumstances.

Taylor struggled for most of the night against the rugged rival from Chorley and was sent to the canvas for the first time in his career.

He rallied late on to stage a fightback but it looked like time ran out on his bid to win enough rounds.

But the ringside judges gave him the decision to sent the Hydro wild – and leave Taylor a relieved man.

Catterall was understandable fuming and will demand – and deserve – a rematch.

Taylor lives to fight another day, knowing he can’t afford another off night like this one if he’s going to kick on and compete with the global elite.

The Hydro finally got it’s homecoming party last night though – even though it looked like it might have gone to pot.

Taylor was determined to make the most of his return to home soil after cleaning up the division against Jose Ramirez in Las Vegas last May.

But this was another significant challenge.

Catterall might not have been in with the best in the business but he’d earned his chance.

The Chorley ace was yet another rival with an unbeaten record going in – incredibly the sixth opponent for Taylor on the spin without loss.

But Catterall had never faced anything like Taylor.

The Englishmen had never been in an environment like this either. The Hydro is a bear pit on night’s like this.

It’s been nearly three years since the walls shook when Taylor took down Ivan Baranchyk to win his first world strap.

How the place has missed this in the pandemic years. The Hydro was like a cross between a Hampden World Cup tie and an