Josh Taylor controversially beats Jack Catterall to retain world titles

Jack Catterall was robbed of victory by the judges as Josh Taylor controversially clung on to his four world titles.

The Scot, a shadow of his imperious best, was dropped in the eighth round as his English foe looked set to record a stunning upset.

Taylor seemingly needed a stoppage in the final rounds but failed to produce one as both men were deducted points for fouling.

But instead of a new champion being anointed by the judges, two of the three gifted victory to the Scot.

One rightly gave Catterall the nod 113-112 but Ian John Lewis gave Taylor victory by a horrific 114-111 while Victor Loughlin's 113-112 sent Taylor's fans into delirium - and the sport straight into scandal.

Taylor was fighting at home for the first time since he was crowned world champion almost three years ago.

He returned to Glasgow as Scotland's first four-belt champion having completed his collection by beating Jose Ramirez last year.

Catterall had stepped aside to allow Taylor to face Ramirez but was now cashing in his mandatory challenger chip.

An edgy first round was punctuated by Catterall's left hand as the visitor made an assured start.

Taylor returned the favour in the second but his challenger was more than up to answering back.

The champion continued to neglect his jab in the third session as Catterall belied his pre-fight odds.

Both men were repeatedly warned for fouling as Taylor tried to turn the bout into a dog-fight.

And the Scot appeared to signal his distress to his corner in the fourth session.

The 12,000-strong crowd tried to rally their man in the fifth round as they sensed he was in trouble.

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Taylor was cut below his right eye as this tougher-than-expected test reached the halfway stage with the champion trailing.

Taylor continued to attempt to drag the Englishman into the trenches but it was Catterall who was landing the crisper shots.

And he dumped Taylor on the canvas in the eighth round with a left hook to the head.

The champion attempted to rally in the next session but was instead staring down the barrel of an upset.

He was given a glimmer of hope when Catterall was docked a point for repeated holding in the 10th.

But Taylor still - apparently - needed a stoppage in the championship rounds but instead, as the blood streamed down his face, he hit Catterall after the bell at the end of the 11th and had a point deducted.

With his fate seemingly all but sealed, Taylor desperately chased a final-round stoppage but was left clawing at thin air.

And he looked set to go home empty handed before the judges intervened.

Taylor refused to accept he had lost the fight - and insisted he has no duty to offer Catterall a rematch.

“It’s getting harder to make the weight and that will most likely be my last fight at 140,” he said.

“I don't think there is any need for a rematch. I won in the second half of the fight. I took over and bossed him.”

On the undercard, Nick Campbell was crowned the first Scottish heavyweight champion for 71 years after stopping Jay McFarlane.

McFarlane, who was content to lead with his face throughout, was dropped in the seventh round.

He beat the count but the referee stepped in after another barrage from the undefeated Campbell.

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