Taylor v Catterall analysis: Why Josh Taylor is not the villain as questions are asked of judges

Josh Taylor doesn't need every man and their dog ramming his uncharacteristic performance on Saturday night down his throat.

The 31-year-old is his own harshest critic and acknowledged deep in the bowls of the Hydro, as the clock struck midnight, he was out of sorts, a shadow of the man who, last year, became the first Briton to clean up a division in four-belt era with victory over Jose Ramirez.

Meanwhile, Jack Catterall, in the opposite corner, executed his game-plan in front of a raucous, partisan crowd down to a tee, even dropping Taylor to the canvas for the first time in 119 professional rounds.

It was a highly-skilled and super-charged showing from the 28-year-old English southpaw, who grew in confidence as the rounds ticked by. He was in Glasgow to upset the apple cart and boy did he give the Prestonpans puncher the fright of his life.

That said, it still wasn't enough for the judges to offer the Chorley fighter a seat at the sport's top table with the home favourite retaining his belts by a split decision. Taylor ended the day as it began – undisputed super lightweight champion, albeit surrounded by a litany of controversy.

It wasn't an easy fight on the eye by any means which referee Marcus McDonnell must shoulder some of the blame for. But where this night is shrouded in controversy lies with judges Victor Loughlin and, to a greater extent, Ian John-Lewis, after the latter scored the bout 114-111 in favour of Taylor.

You don't have to scour the internet too far to find assertions of 'the biggest robbery in boxing', 'what a travesty' or ‘disgusting’ being bandied about.

A host of ex-fighters, pundits – even those who claim to have no interest in boxing whatsoever – have all put their tuppence worth in, which