World featherweight champion Leigh Wood believes that Josh Taylor's win over Jack Catterall was not the robbery people are claiming.
Catterall impressed fans and experts alike with his measured performance against Taylor in their undisputed super-lightweight title in Glasgow last month.
But he was left devastated by the judges' decision when after 12 hard rounds, the Scot was awarded the win to maintain his undefeated record in controversial fashion.
An investigation has since been launched by the British Boxing Board of Control into the scoring for the fight, with judge Ian John-Lewis being downgraded after an outrageous 114-111 scorecard in Taylor's favour.
But Wood feels that the fight was not as cut and dry in Catterall's favour as many fans believe, arguing that a number of close rounds could sway it in Taylor's favour.
"I thought it was a close fight and very hard to score," Wood told Mirror Fighting , speaking as an ambassador for The Skinny Food Co .
"I ain't watched the fight back, Josh got the result and people say that he didn't deserve it and they're absolutely screaming about it saying it was a robbery.
"But the best case on that night for Catterall was really tight rounds where if they go the other way it's a Josh win."
And he feels that there has been a slight overreaction from certain fans who haven't paid close enough attention to the fight, and don't fully understand what happened in the ring.
Wood, who is in camp for a title defence of his own against Michael Conlan this Saturday night at the Motorpoint Arena in Nottingham, hasn't watched it back, but is baffled by some reactions.
"I don't know if a lot of the people screaming about it have actually gone back and scored it round by round," he continued.
"Look, it was a close fight, I couldn't call it at the final bell but it was a very close fight.
"I haven't gone back and scored it so it's hard to comment on it because I ain't really got the time to go back and watch it, I've got my own things to worry about."
Do you agree with Leigh Wood's assessment of the Josh Taylor vs Jack Catterall fight? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below!
As a result of his scorecard and subsequent reasoning, Mr John-Lewis has been downgraded in his judging stature, according to a statement released by the BBBoC today.
The other two judges had it 113-112 either way, which is a much less outrageous scorecard than 114-111 in favour of Taylor, who was dropped in the eighth round.
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.
"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."
Leigh Wood is an ambassador of The Skinny Food Co.
Their range features over 260 great tasting, healthier alternative products, from sauces and syrups, to high protein, low sugar snacks, cooking sprays, flavoured coffees, Fakeaway sauces, meals and more.
