A controversial split decision in last February’s Scottish super-lightweight title fight could lead to a VAR score in the upcoming rematch between the two fighters.
Scottish champion Josh Taylor narrowly defeated challenger England’s Jack Catterroll on 26 February, but Caterroll knocked Taylor down in the eighth round to take points safely. It exceeded. Judge, but gave victory — along with WBO, IBF, WBA and WBC titles — to Taylor with scores of 114-111, 113-112, 112-113.
“Today I should have woken up with all my belts,” Catterall posted on Instagram 24 hours after the verdict. “…boxing, shame…stolen dreams.”
Since then, promoter Ben Shalom has worked to secure a rematch that could include VAR technology similar to that deployed globally in football. A second bout is tentatively scheduled for March in Glasgow, Scotland, and discussions are also underway to implement automatic scoring for the first time in boxing.
“I actually talked to Robert Smith [chief of the British Boxing Board of Control] Shalom told talkSport.com about it. [VAR]-I understand. I hope next year there will be a change in how top fights are judged. See what we’re getting now with football and VAR. ”
“[It] can [be] Two judges…in the truck [watching on screens] Also, judging at the same time as the three people next to the ringside. If everyone was open to taking boxing to places it’s never been before then perhaps there’s a chance now. provide the impetus for change.
Split decision in February created In Europe, it began with an investigation by the British Boxing Control Board and inflammatory statements by the Speaker of the House of Commons, Sir Lindsay Hoyle, who hails from Catarrall’s hometown. He called the score “a farce of justice.”
At the same time, an enraged Taylor (19-0, 13 KOs) revealed that he would grant Caterroll (26-1, 13 KOs) a rematch at the ultralight 140-pound division. Taylor was subsequently stripped of the IBF, WBA and WBC titles to make his second fight, ducking numerous other compulsory opponents over the past year.
That publicity inspired Shalom to pursue VAR. We are probably talking about judges who can look back on things at the highest level. ”
