Bob Arum slams Josh Taylor’s effort against Jack Catterall as ‘TERRIBLE’ after his controversial win

Josh Taylor‘s promotor Bob Arum admitted his fighter was ‘terrible’ against fellow Scot Back Catterall, but believes he did deserve his controversial victory.

The duo met in their undisputed title fight late last month in Scotland, with Catterall delivering a formidable performance and looking odds-on to be crowned the winner.

However, in a jaw-dropping shock, it was Taylor who emerged triumphant, having been handed a 114-111, 113-112 and 112-113 victory against the odds.

 Bob Arum said his fighter Josh Taylor was ‘terrible’ in his fight against Jack Catterall last month

 Josh Taylor (right) received widespread criticism for his controversial win over Jack Catterall

Legendary promoter Arum revealed his dismal assessment of Taylor’s performance, telling BoxingScene: ‘He was terrible.

‘It’s the worst I’ve seen him perform, and I’ve watched most of his fights over the last couple of years.

‘He certainly didn’t look like the guy who beat (Jose) Ramirez.’

Such was the outcry over the split decision in Taylor’s favour that the the British Boxing Board of Control have officially launched an investigation. 

Tyson Fury has criticised the judges for ‘absolutely destroying’ the career of Jack Catterall

Tyson Fury has even waded into the controversy, calling the final scores a ‘disgrace’ and slamming the judges for ‘destroying Jack Catterall’s life’.

Yet despite his withering view of Taylor’s display, Arum said his fighter deserved the win, which saw him remain undisputed super-lightweight world champion. 

‘I don’t think it was a very good fight,’ Arum said. ‘I don’t know what people are talking about.

‘I had Taylor winning by maybe a couple points.’

Undisputed champion Taylor (left) has offered Catterall (right) a rematch but at welterweight

Taylor has offered Catterall a rematch, but only at welterweight, meaning the four super-lightweight belts on the line in the first bout would not be up for grabs.  

And Arum confirmed Taylor’s intention to move up the weight bracket. 

‘I talked to him. We’re gonna evaluate him with a nutritionist and determine what he should do,’ Arum said. 

‘So, again, emotionally he said (he must move up). And he said he had a nutritionist for this fight, but who knows how qualified the nutritionist was?

‘And we’ll get into that in the weeks ahead.’