Last year's fight Josh Taylor (19-0, 13 KOs) and Jack Catterall (26-1, 13 KOs), which ended in a controversial decision of the judges, caused far-reaching consequences in British boxing.
Most boxing fans saw the victory of the contender, who even managed to send the champion to the floor of the ring. Taylor was also penalized for hitting after the gong. However, this did not prevent two judges from giving the victory to the Scot. One of them was Ian John-Lewis, who gave Taylor a full eight rounds.
Immediately after the fight, John-Lewis was demoted from the "star A" referee level to the "A" level. It was this punishment that prompted the judge to file charges against the British Boxing Commission (BBBofC) on the grounds that he had been made a scapegoat. A similar step - in connection with another case - should be taken by the second of the arbitrators - Jeff Hinds.
After Taylor's fight with Catterall, John-Lewis put his professional boxing career on hold. He is also known for other rather unexpected decisions, such as a draw in the fight between Gavin McDonnell and Ray Vargas. John-Lewis also gave Anthony Yarde nine rounds in his first fight with Lyndon Arthur.
