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Daily Record
Daily Record
Sport
Graeme Young

Josh Taylor vs Jack Catterall judge 'downgraded' over ridiculed score card

Veteran judge and referee Ian John-Lewis has been reprimanded by the British Boxing Board of Control over his scoring of the wildly contentious world title fight between Josh Taylor and Jack Catterall.

Pundits, fans and former fighters all had the Chorley man defeating Scotland's star fighter but remarkably the Tartan Tornado earned a decision at the Hydro in Glasgow.

John-Lewis' incredible 114-111 scorecard - which gave the Tartan Tornado eight rounds - was panned by followers of boxing.

And now the BBBoC have taken action against a man who has refereed and judged in world title fights across the globe.

A statement read: "Following an internal review of the scoring of the Josh Taylor v Jack Catterall contest by all three appointed judges, the stewards of the board decided to call Mr. Ian John-Lewis to appear before them to explain his returned card.

"Having considered Mr. Ian John-Lewis' explanation, the Stewards of the Board decided to downgrade Mr. John-Lewis from an A Star Class to an A Class Official.

(Action Images via Reuters)

"Whilst the board were satisfied that Mr John-Lewis' scorecard did not affect the overall result of the contest, the stewards of the board did have issue with his margin.

"As the regulatory body for the sport in Great Britain the British Boxing Board of Control continue to improve and maintain the high quality and consistency in scoring by our licensed officials. As such, the Stewards of the Board have further decided that in addition to each A Star Class Official being evaluated after each bout, as per current procedure, they will now also be subject to a separate individual annual review.

"Finally, the British Boxing Board of Control have contacted the WBO, WBC, IBF and WBA supporting Jack Catterall to be made mandatory challenger for each or all Championship Sanctioning Bodies."

It comes a day after the Speaker of the House of Commons, Sir Lindsay Hoyle, demanded the police investigate the decision to award Taylor the fight.

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