Subjective scoring and controversy in boxing

Subjective scoring and controversy in boxing

Professional boxing is a sport unlike any other. It is not scored by the passing of a ball through a net, nor the time it takes someone to cross a finishing line. Whilst there are objective mechanics in boxing, as in the case of a KO or foul, the majority of fights are scored by three judges placed at different points around the ring, who proceed to use a series of criteria to determine which fighter should be awarded the round. The scoring of rounds in professional boxing is not determined by quantitative criteria, i.e. the number of punches thrown/landed, instead judges score rounds using a combination of qualitative criteria, including clean punching, effective aggression and ring generalship.The person landing more punches can lose a round to the person throwing fewer, but more effective punches. That being said, there are of course specific scenarios which directly impact the score cards, as in the case of knockdowns and point deductions.

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