Matchroom Boxing boss Eddie Hearn has taken a sly dig after Bob Arum’s outburst over Jack Catterall’s win over Josh Taylor last night.
The veteran promoter took to the microphone to protest what he believed to be unjust scorecards after Catterall earned the unanimous decision win over Taylor in Leeds. The result was the inverse of what happened the first time the pair fought in 2022 when the Scot took a victory that caused uproar.
Arum, who is 92-years-old, has promoted Taylor throughout his professional career. He even oversaw his rise to undisputed champion at super-lightweight as well as his first defence against Catterall before the belts were split up.
Bob Arum lets off sensational rant after Jack Catterall beats Josh Taylor
For the past two years, Catterall had been forced to deal with never becoming undisputed champion despite many feeling he had beaten Taylor on the night of their initial Glasgow meeting. And while there were no world titles on the line last night, he got a slice of redemption with his victory.
However, scorecards as wide as 117-111 in the Manchester native’s favour upset Arum, who took to the mic in the ring after the fight to make his feelings known. “I saw the fight like everybody else,” Arum proclaimed.
“Those scorecards were a disgrace, they were an absolutely disgrace. I really feel sorry for Josh Taylor. I thought he won the fight. Those scorecards were ridiculous.”
Bob Arum threatens to never come back to the UK after Josh Taylor loses to Jack Catterall
After the initial bout caused widespread debate about the state of judging in the United Kingdom, Arum is now threatening to pull any of his American fighters from coming to the UK for future events.
The Top Rank Boxing boss continued his stunning rant during the DAZN broadcast, adding: “That’s a lesson. I never ever allow an American fighter to come here with this British born scoring the fight. Those scores were ridiculous.”
Arum co-promoted the event with Matchroom Boxing boss Hearn, who concurred that the particularly wide scorecards were incorrect. However, he felt he had delivered “justice” for Catterall, whom he signed last year.
Eddie Hearn fires shot at Bob Arum in cheeky tweet after Jack Catterall beats Josh Taylor
However, despite admitting that the cards may have been off, Hearn couldn’t resist firing one shot at his long-time promotional rival. The pair have had a friendly feud over the years and promoted many shows together, but are not exactly best of friends.
And in a cheeky tweet yesterday, Hearn wrote: “Call the cops he’s off his chops!” He did immediately clarify his take, adding: “To be fair I agree with Bob, scores were too wide but no doubt the right man won! What a fight what a night!”
Speaking in the ring after the bout, Hearn gave his take, saying: “Bob’s seen a lot of fights. I agree with him… I think the cards were much too wide. But I have absolutely no doubt Jack Catterall won that fight. Justice was served tonight.”