The most-anticipated showdown of the junior welterweight division caught the glimpse of every boxing fan. The high-profile battle between the undisputed light-welterweight Josh Taylor and the WBO mandatory challenger Jack Catterall turned out to be controversial.
The champion retained the WBA, WBC, IBF, and WBO belts amid the jam-packed OVO hydro stadium in Glasgow on 26 February 2022.
However, subsequent to the fight, ‘The Tartan Tornado’ dismissed the fact that the challenger gave him fierce battle in the ring. Michael Benson, a boxing insider, took to Twitter and wrote the opinion of a Scottish veteran about his opponent.
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Benson wrote, “Josh Taylor asked if Jack Catterall was the toughest fight of his career: “Definitely not, no. I didn’t think it was that tough to be honest. I don’t see how he won by three/four rounds, I thought I won.”
Josh Taylor asked if Jack Catterall was the toughest fight of his career: "Definitely not, no. I didn't think it was that tough to be honest. I don't see how he won by three/four rounds, I thought I won."
— Michael Benson (@MichaelBensonn) February 27, 2022
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In reality, this was the closest slugfest that took the champion on the verge of his first loss.
The gripping fight between Josh Taylor and Jack Catterall
Though it was not the much-hyped event prior to the ringing of a bell. However, it ended as the most thrilling event of Saturday night. The undefeated stalwarts stepped inside the ring to settle their scores.
The duo began with the faded energy of trying to establish the jab. But soon challenger became the center of attraction. In the opening minute, ‘El Gato’ landed a straight left cross on the chin of the champion. Which clarified that it would not be a simple exchange of leather for ‘The Tartan Tornado.”
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As the fight went deeper, the dominance of English pugilist became more clear. Though the champion fought back it was not enough to push the challenger back in the ring. In the process of hunting, both fighters turned the smooth fight into a filthy one, which cost them as the referee penalized the duo.
In the eight-round, the challenger became more deadly, as he crafted a lethal combination that sent the Scottish on knees. Though the champion survived and went toe-to-toe till the last second of the fight, the split decision in his favor stunned the boxing world.
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It left the challenger with deep anger and disappointment. The Final statics were opposite to what judges gave as a result of the fight.