DuBoef dismisses Taylor-Catterall scoring conspiracy

Top Rank president Todd DuBoef has dismissed any talk of conspiracy surrounding the scoring of the controversial championship fight between Josh Taylor and Jack Catterall on Saturday night.

Taylor won a split decision in his Scotland homecoming, despite being knocked down, cut and out-boxed for long periods by Catterall.

Speaking to Sky Sports, DuBoef said the controversy was an opportunity to modernise boxing and for greater education on how to score the sport.

"It was a terrific event; the energy in that arena was amazing," DuBoef said. "It was a close fight and a very difficult fight to score.

"I really believe that what we need to do is to modernise boxing. We haven't moved forward.

"The fact we have subjective scoring means we have to get better. We have to apply further education courses - we need to know that everybody is taught the same way on how to score a round.

"We have to notify both camps on what is expected from you, from the judges on this night in the UK - which could vary if you were taught in New York, or California or Australia.

"But any implications of chicanery, I dismiss them."

DuBoef added: "I think there has to be clarity. I have been at fights on one side of the ring and somebody on the other side of the ring has seen a totally different fight.

"It doesn't mean there was something wrong or someone was incompetent. But if a guy has his back to you all night and the other is coming forward, that sends a message to you. You have to take that into consideration when scoring a round.

"Boxing is subjective. It is not the ball hitting the back of the net in football and so a goal is scored.

"When you're talking about minor, minor wins in each second of each minute of every round, it really means a