UNDISPUTED boxing world champion Josh Taylor has been ordered to defend his WBA title.

Taylor, who also holds the WBC, IBF and WBO light-welterweight crowns, would step into the ring with Alberto Puello.

The Dominican light-welterweight star has an unblemished record of 20-0.

The 27-year-old has won 10 of those bouts by stoppage and took a unanimous decision over Ve Shawn Owens just before Christmas last year.

The WBA Championships Committee has been in touch with both parties about setting up a fight. A 30-day negotiation period started on March 8.

Taylor, of Prestonpans, won the WBA title when he defeated Regis Prograis in the final of the World Boxing Super Series in October 2019.

However, it is unclear if the fight will take place as Taylor is widely expected to make the step up to the welterweight division.

East Lothian Courier: Josh Taylor retained his world titles against Jack Catterall in Glasgow at the end of last month. Picture: Steve Welsh/PA WireJosh Taylor retained his world titles against Jack Catterall in Glasgow at the end of last month. Picture: Steve Welsh/PA Wire

That comes after he won by split decision against Jack Catterall last month. The scorecards at the end of 12 rounds at Glasgow’s OVO Hydro read 114-111, 113-112 and 112-113 in Taylor’s favour.

Following the bout, the British Boxing Board of Control (BBBoC) announced they would be reviewing the scorecard of judge Ian John-Lewis, who scored 114-111 in Taylor’s favour.

Robert Smith, general secretary of BBBoC, said: “Having considered Mr Ian John-Lewis’ explanation, the stewards of the board decided to downgrade Mr John-Lewis from an A Star Class to an A Class Official.

“Whilst the Board were satisfied that Mr John-Lewis’ scorecard did not affect the overall result of the contest, the stewards of the board did have issue with his margin.

“As the regulatory body for the sport in Great Britain, the British Boxing Board of Control continue to improve and maintain the high quality and consistency in scoring by our licensed officials. As such, the stewards of the board have further decided that in addition to each A Star Class Official being evaluated after each bout, as per current procedure, they will now also be subject to a separate individual annual review.

“Finally, the BBBoC have contacted the WBO, WBC, IBF and WBA supporting Jack Catterall to be made mandatory challenger for each or all championship sanctioning bodies.”