The highly controversial ruling that saw Josh Taylor claim a majority decision victory over Jack Catterall has now been referred to the police.
Taylor was defending his light-welterweight title belts against Chorley-born Catterall on February 26.
With both fighters going into the bout unbeaten, there was also bound to be fireworks. But, as it transpired, not in the way that most fans expected.
Catterall appeared to dominate Taylor throughout most of the fight. When the bell rang to end the 12th round, Sky Sports pundit Johnny Nelson had given just four rounds to the champion. A dream appeared set to be realised for ‘El Gato’.
However, that was not to be the case, with two judges giving Taylor the win on points. The crowd in attendance reacted with shock as soon as the verdict was announced.
The decision led to widespread criticism across the boxing world. Catterall’s trainer, Jamie White, brandished the verdict as “disgusting”.
Tyson Fury’s promoter, Bob Arum, meanwhile, called Taylor’s performance during the fight “terrible“.
Read: Josh Taylor hits back at criticism over controversial victory
But one of the more notable critiques of the result was that of the Speaker of the House of Commons, Sir Lindsay Hoyle. The 64-year-old is the MP for Chorley, and made his feelings clear after the fight.
He tweeted: “It was a disgraceful decision by two of the boxing referees! I will be speaking with the sports minister [Nigel Huddleston]. This result is a travesty of justice.”
Read: Commons Speaker voices anger after Taylor v Catterall “travesty”
Josh Taylor v Jack Catterall is now a police matter
Since his statement last week, the Commons Speaker has now taken proceedings a step further.
That is because Hoyle has written to the British Boxing Board of Control. Furthermore, government ministers are also investigating the result. In addition, he has written to Dame Cressida Dick, who is currently the Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police until a successor is found.
He told the Daily Mail: “Everyone is disgusted by what has happened. It brings the sport into disrepute.
“I have spoken to Nadine Dorries, the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, and the Minister for Sport, Nigel Huddleston. They are both looking into this.
“I also believe that something seriously went on here – whether it was undue influence, one must question why?”
He added: “Unless something is done about this, why would young people enter the sport? What is the point of training hard and playing by the rules, when something like this can happen?”
This has already been a highly controversial topic – and we haven’t seen the last of it just yet.
Featured Image Credit: Getty
