“It’s a Shame When You Get Scorecards Like That”: Eddie Hearn Sympathizes With Bob Arum’s Frustrations Following Josh Taylor vs. Jack Catterall 2

Jack Catterall finally got his revenge. The thrilling sequel to his controversial loss two years ago saw him score a unanimous victory over Josh Taylor. But what’s a boxing match nowadays if it doesn’t generate controversy? The second edition of Catterall versus Taylor witnessed its moment when Bob Arum entered the ring post-fight. Unhappy with the final outcome, he felt that Taylor had won the fight. In no mood to let it slide, the Top Rank boss launched a tirade that has since gone viral. On the other hand, Eddie Hearn is ecstatic over his Lancastrian charge leveling the score in the rematch.

Defending his undisputed title for the first time, on February 26, 2022, Josh Taylor managed a victory considered by many as one of the most controversial ones in British boxing history. A good number of fans and experts, it seems, felt that Jack Catterall deserved the win. So when checked for his thoughts on Bob Arum’s vehement outrage, Eddie Hearn, while agreeing with the American promoter on the scorecards, could only provide solace when it came to the aftermath.

Eddie Hearn Embraces a Different Perspective From Across the Pond

“Whole world’s going to be talking about Bob Arum’s rant after that. What did you make of it, and is it is it is it fair?” A reporter asked Eddie Hearn. The Englishman replied that he completely agreed with the veteran promoter. But he strongly expressed that Jack Catterall won the fight. “I 100% believe that Jack Catterall won the fight,” he said.

However, the scorecard, where two of the judges awarded 117-111 in Catterall’s favor, seemed too extensive to fully grasp. Because Eddie Hearn felt that such instances basically rob the sheen off a major achievement. He said, “I don’t see the fight by six rounds at all, so um yeah you know, for me, it’s a shame when you get scorecards like that because people talk about that rather than an incredible fight, and Jack Catterall really kind of getting justice if you like as the winner, but credit to both men both incredible.”

Calling out the scores as ‘ridiculous’, Bob Arum roared amidst a chorus of boos. “I saw the fight like everybody else. Those scorecards were a disgrace, were an absolute disgrace. I really feel sorry for Josh; I thought he won the fight, but those scorecards were ridiculous,” he said.

Then he stressed that he would never allow an American boxer to come and fight in Britain as long as British boxing maintained the scorecards.

The Encore Duel

By all means, it was a close fight. With revenge in his mind, Jack Catterall took the initiative, taking the lead in the initial rounds. But did everyone think that after the loss to Teofimo Lopez last year, ‘The Tartan Tornado’ would become just another pushover? He still had some fire in his belly. The world better wrap itself around it. Despite lagging behind, Taylor persistently returned with some good jabs and body shots. So much so that all three judges reportedly awarded him the seventh round.

But eventually, as it happened, the Englishman proved himself to be a more active boxer. According to CompuBox, the Scotsman landed more power punches, 102 against Catterall’s 88. However, the latter overall connected significantly more with his 176 punches than Taylor’s 162. Most of those who saw the match also felt that he was worthy of the win.

What’s your take on Bob Arum’s statement? Do you also agree with Eddie Hearn’s take on the scorecards?