Josh Taylor’s trainer is concerned over the judges’ thoughts ahead of his fight with Jack Catterall.
The two super lightweights fought back in 2022, with Taylor winning a controversial bout via the judges' scorecards.
Catterall was the underdog and many had thought at the time that the Englishman had done enough to become undisputed at 140lbs, and the rivalry has simmered ever since.
Injuries and other obligations have seen the fight put back until this weekend, live on DAZN (in the UK)
“That’s obviously a fear,” Joe McNally said to BoxingScene of worries this fight’s judges will want to take into account the previous event’s controversy.
“I don’t want Josh to really leave it in the hands of the judges – I want him to be super dominant, in an ideal world. But we have got to put the uttermost faith in the British Boxing [Board of Control] applying top quality judges.
“We’ve got [judges] Kieran McCann, Mark Bates and Lee Every. Kevin Parker [is the referee]. I’m no rocket scientist, but I’m sure they wouldn’t have worked too many championship fights at this level either – same as the referee – so I think we’ve got a young panel across the board, and I hope the board has a deep conversation with them to eliminate the first fight. ‘Forget the controversy; forget this; just see the fight as you see it against two neutral, equal operators and just let it play out.’
“I just hope there isn’t any other controversy. If Jack wins, he wins fairly. If Josh wins, he wins fairly. Kudos; take your hat off; tip it to the guy, and you push on to what you’re gonna do next. There always is that fear, but it is what it is.
“I hope Josh gets to showcase his skill asset, and puts in a vintage performance. Likewise Jack – I hope he gets to show his skill set too, so the fight has got a good ebb and flow to it; back and forth; is good for the fans. The last thing I want is a repeat of the first one where there’s a lot of holding; clinching; hitting after the bell; low blows; the back of the head and stuff, and the referee getting too involved in the fight.”
McNally was clear that he thought the Scot was the winner last time around, adding: “To win that calibre of fight you cannot sit back on the back foot and pot shot with one shot. You’ve gotta rip the title away from the champion and really force the action. I don’t think Jack executed that and that’s what got Josh the victory.”
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