Britain is in danger of becoming the laughing stock of the boxing world with some of the poorest judging you will see this side of the Italian border. And at the Ice Arena in Kirkcaldy on Saturday night, a controversial split decision loss for Kevin Anderson will do nothing to improve that reputation.

I’m no A starred judge, but it was clear for all to see that John Simpson beat Dazzo Williams back in 2004 and should have been crowned British champion. It was equally clear that Barry Morrison beat Lenny Daws last month to become British champ, but if Dave Parris had had his way, the hometown fighter would have retained his title by an astonishing five points.

For my money, Kevin Anderson versus Ali Nuumbembe was too close to call. I’ve watched it three times now and still think the same.

Anderson was clearly ahead until the fateful eighth round in which he suffered a nasty cut to the eyebrow and took a body shot that would have stopped many a boxer there and then.

Nuumbembe so obviously came to Kirkcaldy to win the Commonwealth belt and worked tirelessly throughout the contest, but time and time again you could see Anderson catching his punches on his gloves and arms. In contrast, the champ may have thrown less leather, but the accuracy and venom in those punches was much the better.

But the Namibian who lives in a caravan behind a pub was not to be denied and he closed the gap on Anderson following that eighth round. After the eleventh I had it all square and couldn’t separate them going into the final round.

Kevin Anderson thought he had nicked the final round. Anderson’s manager Tommy Gilmour thought Kev was one round up going into the last round and that the last was drawn. English judge Terry O’Connor obviously saw things much the same way, scoring the contest 115-114 to Kevin Anderson.

Ali Nuumbembe’s manager, Frank Maloney - who had infamously threatened his charge with deportation if he lost to Anderson - thought his man won the contest by two rounds. A little on the generous side, but Scottish judge Victor Loughlin agreed that Ali had won, scoring the contest 115-116 against Anderson.

Incredibly England’s Howard John Foster saw things entirely differently. He scored the contest 112-116, giving Ali Nuumbembe the nod by four rounds.

I have no problem with Nuumbembe winning the contest and he is a deserved Commonwealth champion. Even as a huge Kevin Anderson fan I’m big enough to admit that it could have gone either way, but you will be hard pushed to find another soul who saw Ali win by four clear rounds.

And it’s a decision that has cost Kevin Anderson a title. Fortunately he is still very young and also has the British title to his name, but that’s by the by. Giving either boxer a four round cushion in such a close fight reduces boxing to World Wrestling Federation levels.

It’s bad enough that the sport is plagued by meaningless titles and protected boxers fighting hopelessly outclassed opponents. But Commonwealth and British titles still command respect around the world, in much the same way as European and genuine world title belts do.

For that respect to be maintained, we need fewer hometown decisions and the highest standard of judging available. Sadly, from time to time, we are seeing neither.

George Marshall

Footnote: Added to the inconsistency of judges, we have what is a ridiculous situation whereby virtually all British and Commonwealth title fights fought in the UK are decided by an English referee and English judges.

Given that more often than not an English fighter or an English based fighter is involved, that shouldn’t be the case.

Not enough A starred judges from the other home nations who can officiate? Then fly them in from other countries. That’s what any other professional sport looking for transparency in its judging would do.