Pryce Taylor Edges Tsotne Rogava in Scrappy Split Decision

Albuquerque, NM, USA - Pryce Taylor 14-0 (8 KOs) did enough to edge Tsotne Rogava 13-2 (8 KOs) by split decision over ten rough rounds at Kiva Auditorium on Saturday, taking the vacant NABF heavyweight title without delivering the convincing performance he would have wanted.

Two judges scored it 96-94 for Taylor, while the third had Rogava ahead 97-93. The Brooklyn heavyweight generally looked the better boxer when he kept his jab working and punched from distance. Too often, though, he stopped working and allowed Rogava back into the fight.

Rogava finished the opening round with a late flurry that caught Taylor on the jaw. Taylor found more room in the second, moving his hands to head and body, but a Rogava right in the third was a reminder that his opponent remained dangerous when he could get close.

A right uppercut followed by a left hook drove Rogava backward late in the fifth. It was the sort of combination Taylor needed more often. Rogava came forward again, but neither man could sustain much rhythm, with stretches of inactivity interrupting the exchanges.

Taylor does enough

As the rounds passed, Taylor’s busier spells at range gave him an edge. Rogava had his moments inside, where he could bring his hands into play, but did not get there often enough to take clear control. Taylor, meanwhile, left opportunities unused by allowing his own output to fall away.

The scoring reflected the different impressions the fight produced. Bleacher Report’s live coverage had Taylor well ahead through nine rounds, while ringside analyst Teddy Atlas regarded it as much closer. The official cards ultimately left Taylor with a narrow victory.

It was a useful step in opposition and a first professional belt for Taylor, rather than a performance that announced a finished contender. He showed the tools to make the fight easier, but not the consistency to keep it that way.

Photo: Salita Promotions.