JACKCATTERALL was stripped of the undisputed super-lightweight titles after his spectacular performance against Josh Taylor.
Taylor, 31, was expected to use the 28-year old underrated fighter as a homecoming opponent after three years of fighting. He also used him as a sign off sweetener before he switched his titles to go up to welterweight.
Taylor kept his four world titles in controversial fashion
the undisputed champion.
The 6-1 underdog, nicknamed El Gato, ripped the script apart and silenced 12,000 Scots who had piled into the Hydro baying to get English blood.
In the end, Taylor was the one who got slashed across his face and was floored in the eighth.
Two of the three judges, however, robbed the lad.
Howard Foster was right, but it was still too close to the mark. Catterall scored 113-112 for Foster.
However, Victor Loughlin and Ian John Lewis brought shame to the sport with scores 114-11 to Taylor and 113-112 respectively.
After Friday's weigh in, Marcus McDonnell and the pair grabbed and shoved at one another's throats, referee Marcus McDonnell may have realized he was in for an intense shift.
Catterall hit a powerful left hand out of the same southpaw stance Taylor used and made Taylor take a step back in his recovery.
The Chorley man also made a few stiff jabs which should have earned him the opening score on the judges' scorecards.
Taylor looked like he was having trouble finding his range against a lefty, but he looked much bigger inside the ropes.
McDonnell warned Taylor early in the second for punching Catterall with a rabbit punch.
Taylor bullied his back into the second, and Catterall launched an attack on him rugby that saw the Scot fall to the ground and briefly flail.
Taylor was unable to land his shots due to Catterall's body and footwork. McDonnell had the nerve to warn them in the third round for using roughhouse tactics.
Taylor was able to land a few left hooks, but Catterall retaliated by hitting Taylor with a precise one two and a body blow to Taylor’s six-pack.
The bout was ugly with both southpaws fighting and grabbing, but the best shots came from Taylor's challenger, who was always tagging Taylor's head.
Catterall could hear Jamie Moore, the trainer, telling him in the intermission that his performance thus far had been "f ****** perfect".
McDonnell ignored Taylor's pleas for headbutts twice. Taylor was also complaining of headbutts twice. He should be more concerned about Catterall's fizzing one-twos. Catterall was increasing in confidence. Taylor had an eye injury that was visible under his right eye before the sixth.
Taylor started to lose his head-earned titles, pound-for pound reputation and Catterall's sixth-place finish. Catterall also landed a strong left hand in the sixth.
After they had traded round eight, Taylor was driven to the deck for a count eight.
Taylor reached for a shot, but Catterall grabbed his temple with a left hand and pushed Taylor to the ground.
Taylor was again hurt seconds later by a pinpoint one two that clattered into the top of his jaw and stiffened both his legs.
Taylor did roar back in ninth when a left-hand found Catterall’s whiskers, but he was too close now to boxing immortality.
Catterall was disqualified in round ten due to his continued holding and pushing Taylor down in the clinch.
Taylor entered the fight at the top of boxing's top fighters list pound-for pound. He is well on his way towards becoming the best fighter in his country, and he hopes to imitate the legendary Ken Buchanan.
He was then docked one point for slashing after the bell at the end. He was bound to walk away with a battered, bruised, and beltless body.
Ben Davison, Taylor's trainer, told him that he needed to get a KO in order to hold on to his belts. He connected with one very late.
Catterall, however, was too clever to be caught and celebrated at final bell - only for it to be broken by the horrible officials.
Taylor stated that he didn't believe there was a need to rematch the fight. He won the second half and he was bossed by me.
"He tried to spoil a lot. There were many clashing heads. I felt a lot more pressure for my first home fight in three years. It showed in the fight.
"Once I found my rhythm, I was able to catch him, but it wasn't my best performance.
"I was too pressured, I was the heavy favourite. I wanted to perform for my home fans.
"I am certain I won the fight. It was close. But I got the better shots and fought more meaningfully.
He put on a great fight, but he didn’t win the fight. He knows that. I won the second half strong and took control.
"Now, I'm moving on. "I made the weight but it is getting harder. That will likely be my last fight at 140lbs."
Jamie Moore, Catterall's trainer, cried: "It's too hard to put into words. He waited three years for this moment, worked hard, performed well, and beat the champion in his backyard.
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"What message does this send to the people at home?" It's disgusting.
"My 16-year-old son is about to start boxing. What is he to do?
Sky has asked him to talk, but how will he do that? He is devastated.
