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Boxing

08th Mar 2022

Jack Catterall’s defeat to Josh Taylor referred to police by Speaker of House of Commons

Callum Boyle

Catterall was controversially beaten by Taylor on a split decision

Jack Catterall’s controversial defeat to Josh Taylor has been referred to the police by the Speaker of the Houses of Commons.

Sir Lindsay Hoyle, who is also MP for Chorley – where Catterall is from – said that he was left so “disgusted” by the outcome of the fight that he has written to the outgoing Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police, Dame Cressida Dick. However, it is unclear what she will be able to do given the fight took place in Glasgow.

Hoyle also revealed that he has written to the British Boxing Board of Control and confirmed that government ministers are also looking into the result of the fight.

On one of the darkest nights in British boxing, two of the judges’ scores proved controversial as they scored in favour of Taylor – leading to widespread criticism about the standard of officiating in the country.

Speaking to the Daily Mail, Hoyle said: “Everyone is disgusted by what’s happened – it brings the sport into disrepute.

“I have to question why the judges got it so wrong? I have already sent a letter to the police.

“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?”

Hoyle also added that he wants the fight reviewed by a panel of independent judges and for their scores to be revealed and said that if the issue is not resolved, it could put people off from entering the sport.

“Unless something is done about this, why would young people enter the sport?” he said.

“What is the point of training hard and playing by the rules, when something like this can happen?”

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