Josh Taylor's world title win over Jack Catterall referred to police by Speaker of House of Commons

The controversial scoring of Josh Taylor’s victory over Jack Catterall last month has been referred to the police by the Speaker of the House of Commons.

Sir Lindsay Hoyle has asked police to investigate the circumstances surrounding the world super-lightweight title fight in Glasgow last month which saw judges score Taylor as the victor despite most observers believing Catterall had won.

Hoyle, who Catterall's MP in Chorley, voiced his anger at the outcome in the wake of the contest and has now revealed he has asked Scotland Yard as well as Cabinet officials to investigate potential "undue influence".

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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.

Josh Taylor (left) is declared the victor over Jack Catterall following the world super-lightweight title fight at the OVO Hydro on February 26.  (Photo by Paul Devlin / SNS Group)Josh Taylor (left) is declared the victor over Jack Catterall following the world super-lightweight title fight at the OVO Hydro on February 26.  (Photo by Paul Devlin / SNS Group)
Josh Taylor (left) is declared the victor over Jack Catterall following the world super-lightweight title fight at the OVO Hydro on February 26. (Photo by Paul Devlin / SNS Group)

"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?"

Catterall was a huge underdog going into the fight against unified world champion Taylor but appeared to dominate most of the contest before dropping a highly-contentious split decision verdict, much to the surprise of many in attendance.

The fall-out prompted British Boxing Board of Control general secretary Robert Smith to order an investigation into the scoring of the contest.

Smith told TalkSport last week: "I don't believe any corruption with regards to our officials over here, they just scored it how they saw it.

"I'm not making any excuses for the judges, I thought Jack won the fight and that's why we're looking at the scorecards and asking for an explanation."

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