23.08.04 – By Frank Lotierzo – GlovedFist@Juno.com – He won the World Heavyweight title from an undisputed Champion who happened to be undefeated. He participated in one of the biggest and most anticipated title fights in history, in which he lost his title and his undefeated record. This all-time great came back after a 10 year retirement and recaptured the title to become the oldest Champ in history at age 45. He also has just about the highest knockout percentage of any Heavyweight Champ in history. Quite an accomplished career by any standards.
However, when asked what the biggest and best accomplishment of his career is, George Foreman always says winning the Gold Medal at the 1968 Summer Olympic Games in Mexico City is by far his proudest achievement in Boxing. In 1968, the 19 year old Foreman destroyed 29 year old Ionas Chapolus of Russia in two rounds to capture the Heavyweight Gold Medal.
No doubt representing your Country and winning an Olympic Gold Medal is an honor and something that just about all Amateur Boxers must dream of. Winning an Olympic Gold Medal is obviously the pinnacle achievement in Amateur Boxing and it provides quite a spring board for the pros. Evidenced by the names Patterson, Clay, Frazier, Foreman, Leonard, the Spinks brothers, Davis, Whitaker, Holyfield, Mercer, Lewis, De La Hoya, and Reid.
As someone once said, that was then and this is now. Make no mistake, Boxing in the Olympics is still the ultimate. However, after watching all the Olympic Boxing that’s aired during the 2004 Games, I’ve soured on it more than a little. And for more than a few reasons. That being said, the one that frustrates me the most is the computerized scoring system that has to be the worst thing since Compu-Box Punch Stat.
This system currently being used in the Olympics has turned Boxing into Fencing. The bouts are scored by five judges sitting ringside with a red and blue bottom in front of them which represents each fighter. For a fighter to be awarded a point, three of the five judges must press the red or blue button for the fighter that landed the punch within one second. What an abomination this is and I’m finding it harder and harder to watch the fights.
I wish I had a single penny for every time I’ve seen the following: A fighter land a blatantly clean punch to the head or face, and him not being awarded a point. Another scenario that has continually been repeated is a fighter landing a clean blow to the body and it hasn’t been counted, despite clearly being stated in the rules that blows to the upper torso are to be scored.
Another annoying thing about the way these Olympic fights are being scored is that I can’t recall any fighter being awarded points for hooks and uppercuts landed. From everything I’ve evidenced, the only punches that seem to count are jabs and crosses? This system favors runners who get in and get out, period. No points for solid blows or making an opponent miss? I know it’s Amateur Boxing, but Boxing is much more than just touches with the front whitened portion of the glove.
If that’s not enough, forget throwing combinations because they’re ignored. I have seen it time and time again where a fighter will land a solid two or three punch combination, and only be awarded one point? What the hell is that? Just saying it’s Amateur Boxing and it’s only four rounds isn’t an excuse. Think about that, combinations count no more than a single jab or a cross? When watching these Olympic fights, I’ve found myself questioning the judging more so than I have during or after any pro fight.
I knew this was the Olympics, and it wasn’t scored or judged like the Pro’s are, but this is junk Boxing in my opinion. I fought Amateur and had almost 60 fights, but I was taught how to infight and the importance of it. How the hell does a fighter prepare for this tournament?
The way to score in this tournament is to just go one-two and get out so you can’t be countered. Simply repeat this strategy over and over and you probably give yourself the best shot to win. That isn’t Boxing as far as I’m concerned, regardless of it being Amateur or Professional. I can’t help but feel for these talented and tough fighters from all over the World. The frustration actually shows on their faces after the scores and decisions are announced. It’s like what the hell do they expect?
I was really looking forward to watching the Boxing in these Olympics. Maybe because of my schedule during the 2000 Games, I didn’t catch that much of the Boxing. I realize now that I didn’t miss that much. The actual fighting itself doesn’t stress good basics or fundamentals, and the fights aren’t really that outstanding either. If I was an Amateur today, I’d really have to think about whether or not I’d be so enthused about fighting in the Olympics. It’s so easy to get knocked off and eliminated, due to a ridiculous system and technicalities, that to see all that hard work go down the drain must be gut wrenching. I think this system is a Joke and takes the Spirit out of the fighters. To say I haven’t enjoyed watching the Boxing in this Olympic tournament and have been extremely frustrated by it, is a monumental understatement on my part.
Writers Note
I’m not the type person who sees a conspiracy every time something doesn’t seem as it should, that’s not my make up at all. But, another glaring flaw I’ve evidenced in these Games is that the Cuban fighters are the absolute darlings of the judges. I’m not taking any thing away from them, but they don’t have to be anywhere near as perfect as the other fighters do to be awarded points.
That has been so obvious that I think it’s undeniable. I get the feeling when watching the Cuban Boxers fight, that those who yield the power want everyone of them to at least Medal. Again, I’m not saying they are being awarded gift decisions. I’m just saying that it sure seems they don’t have to be a accurate and precise as the fighters from the other countries have to be. No doubt they’re outstanding, but from what I’ve seen, they get points for just being near their opponents or grazing them. Something the other fighters definitely don’t !