BOX CLEVER Gutted Jack Catterall blows world title dream in split decision loss to Albert Barboza in front of ringside Luke Littler…..See More

There was a huge controversial call by referee late on

JACK CATTERALL blew his world title dreams in front of darts world champ Luke ‘The Nuke’ Littler with a loss to Arnold Barboza.

The 31-year-old Chorley southpaw – who was robbed of 2022 undisputed glory – looked like landing a home decision.

But he failed to land anything explosive in front of the 18-year-old arrows ace and lost out on split decision.

The judges at the Co-Op arena in Manchester called it: 115-113 Catterall, 115-113 Barboza and 115-113 Barboza.

Catterall banked the opener with clever counter combinations when the Mexican-American barged in.

The 33-year-old landed a pair of eye-catching rights in the third, when Catterall’s waiting game worked against him.

Catterall’s crisp one-twos cooled the visitor’s momentum at the start of the fourth.

But Barboza kept pressuring him and pushing the Brit backwards and nicked the fifth by being on the front foot.

Catterall had a mare in the seventh and was wobbled right at the end of the round and the tide started turning against him.

A left hook was Catterall’s best punch of round eight.