By Ken Hissner: At the SSE Hydro, Glasgow, Scotland, UK, over ESPN+ Saturday WBC, WBA, WBO, and IBF undisputed Super Lightweight Champion Josh “The Tartan Tornado defends his titles with a split decision over previously unbeaten WBO No. 1 ranked Jack “El Gato” Catterall of the UK. Co-promoting are Bob Arum (Top Rank) and Benjamin Shalom (Boxxer).
In the Main Event southpaw 2012 Olympian WBC, WBA, WBO, and IBF Super undisputed Lightweight Champion Josh “The Tartan Tornado” Taylor, 19-0 (13), 140, of Preston Pond, Scotland, UK, won by split decision over southpaw WBO No. 1 ranked Jack “El Gato” Catterall, 26-1 (13), #139, of Chorley, Lancashire, UK, over foul filled 12 rounds.
In the first round, Catterall seemed to have a slight edge landing a solid lead left to the chin of Taylor at the midway point. In the second round, it was a much better round for the champion Taylor out landing Catterall but close.
Both received warnings from Referee Marcus McDonnell. In the third round, Taylor again had a slight edge. In the fourth round, it was Catterall coming back, landing half a dozen unanswered punches in the final seconds of the round.
In the fifth round, Taylor received a small cut on the outside of his right eyebrow. Catterall was warned time and again for holding. Taylor hurt Catterall in the final seconds with a left on the chin.
In the sixth round, Catterall landed his left hand on the chin of Taylor taking the round. In the seventh round of an even fight, Taylor may have forged ahead by a slight margin.
In the eighth round, Catterall missed two punches, but overhand left on the side of the head of Taylor’s scored a knockdown for an 8-count of referee McDonnell.
In the ninth round, Taylor may have evened the score taking the round. In the tenth round, Catterall would land several punches and grab Taylor into a clinch from the beginning. Referee McDonnell finally took away a deserved point from Catterall.
In the eleventh round, both went to the canvas in a foul. For some reason, referee McDonnell took away a point from Taylor for a light punch after the bell.
In the twelfth and final round, it was the aggressiveness by Taylor that seemed to pull out the fight while Catterall did too much holding though possibly scoring more punches.
Scores were 113-112 Foster for Catterall, 114-111 Taylor from Jon-Lewis, and 113-112 Taylor by Loughlin.
This writer had it 114-111 Taylor.
Featherweight Two time Olympic Gold Medalist southpaw Robeisy “El Tran” Ramirez, 9-1 (5), #126 ¼, of Cienfuegos, Cuba, and Gulfport, FL, stopped southpaw Eric “Lilywhite Lightning” Donovan, 14-2 (8), #126 ¼, of Athy, Ireland, at 1:04 of round three of a 10.
In the first round, after twenty seconds, Ramirez dropped Donovan for an 8-count. He managed to get thru the round. In the second round, Donovan came back well though not winning the round. In the third round, Ramirez landed a pair of lefts to the ribs, almost dropping Donovan, causing Referee Victor Laughlin to call a halt.
Heavyweight Nick “The Glasgow Warrior” Campbell, 5-0 (5), #254, of Jersey, Channel Islands, UK, stopped Jay “Ghost” McFarlane, 12-6 (5), #276, of Glasgow, Scotland, UK, at 2:18 of the seventh round for vacant Scottish title for the first time in 71 years, in a 10.
In the first round, the taller Campbell got, the better of the rough tactic McFarlane. In the second round, Campbell beat up McFarlane for the entire round.
In the third round, Campbell drew blood from the nose of McFarlane, who seemed exhausted having his arms to his side the whole round. In the fourth round, McFarlane landed a looping right followed by a left to the chin of Campbell a minute into the round. He met Campbell punch for punch in an action round. In the fifth round
Campbell had McFarlane out on his feet at the bell.
In the sixth round, after a minute, McFarlane hurt Campbell with a left to the body. Later it seemed Campbell may have McFarlane ready to go when the latter came back well. In the seventh round, after twenty seconds, a right uppercut from Campbell on the chin and down went McFarlane for an 8-count.
He was up fighting back best he could but several times, referee Kenny Pringle looked close to stopping it and finally did. It was the first time the popular McFarlane had been stopped.
Super Middleweight southpaw John Docherty, 12-1 (9), #172, Montrose, Scotland, UK, knocked out Jordan “The Game” Grant, 4-2 (0), #176 ¼, of Hamilton, Scotland, UK, at 2:49 of the second round of a scheduled 8.
In the second round, a left hook to the body and down went Grant for the count of referee Darren Maxwell.
Welterweight southpaw Paddy “The Real Deal” Donovan, 8-0 (6), #146, of Limerick, Ireland, stopped Miroslav “Lumberjack” Serban, 13-9 (7), #145, of Skastice, CZ Republic, at 0:56 of the sixth round of a scheduled 6.
In the first round, Donovan moved around the ring well, picking the high-handed defense of Serban apart. In the second round, the hand speed of Donovan dominated until a low blow warning. He then went more to the head with right hooks to the ribs of Serban. Donovan is trained by former WBO Middle champ Andy “Irish” Lee. In the third round, Donovan got thru the defense of Serban quite well. Serban has landed few punches.
In the fourth round, Donovan landed good right uppercuts to the chin having the face of Serban very red. In the fifth round’s final thirty seconds, Donovan rocked Serban with a right uppercut on the chin. In the sixth and final round, the left ear of Serban’s was bleeding, and referee McIntyre brought in the ring physician, informing the referee to call a halt.
Featherweight Ebonie Jones, 1-0-1 (0), #126, of Portsmouth, UK, drew with Effie ”Greek Trouble” Kathopouli, 4-3-1 (0), #124, of Glenrothes, Scotland, UK, over six rounds.
In the first two rounds, Jones’s style was to come in low with a good left hook as the taller Kathopouli used an effective jab. In the next three rounds, Kathopouli turned things around after dropping the first two. In the sixth round, Jones had the face of Kathopouli marked up with a steady two-fisted attack.
Referee Kevin McIntyre scored it 57-57, as did this writer.
