Boxing: Coach slams decision in Taylor defeat

Lochend coach Terry McCormack today admitted he was furious after a highly controversial defeat for light- welterweight star Josh Taylor in his British Amateur Boxing Championship final bout at London’s York Hall.

Ringside judges handed local fighter Louis Adolphe a 3-2 points verdict following two earlier drawn computerised scoring countbacks. And McCormack insisted: “Taylor outboxed Adolphe in the first round by a 3-1 margin and, while Adolphe dominated to tie the scoring at 6-6 going into the final round, Taylor had a storming last round where he caught Adolphe with quality head and body shots to clearly win the title on my card.”

McCormack had no complaints about the 13-7 points verdict in favour of England’s Callum Smith, however, who defeated Lochend’s Tommy Philbin for the British middleweight title. “Smith just had too much experience for Philbin but, that said, Philbin didn’t disgrace himself as he made Smith work for his victory.”

* EDINBURGH pro bantamweight Gareth Stemp is looking to repeat a previous ring victory over Glasgow’s Paul McIlhenny tonight over six rounds at Glasgow’s St Andrew’s Sporting Club.

Also making his paid ring debut on tonight’s bill is former Meadowbank amateur welterweight star Gary Collins.