Post by len on Jun 7, 2008 19:41:54 GMT -5
After more than a half century of watching (and at one time participating in the amatuers) I reguard judging a boxing match as more of an art than a science.
A lot of different factors are at play. 1) Ring generalship (who makes the the other boxer fight their fight or style points). 2) Who throws the most punches (busier fighter). 3) Who lands the most punches (accurate fighter). Who lands the heavier punches (effective fighter). 4) Who is the cleaner/dirtier fighter (illegal holding, punching, tactics). 5) When is a fighter hurt (or feigning injury to sucker the opponent). See below about judge ring placement. 6) Clean punches to the body should count the same as head shots but are not as impresive to judges or fans because they don't draw blood or rarely illicit pained looks on a fighter except in accumulated amounts) 7) he factors above are given different values in different jurisdictions and by the judges themselves.
The judges are human. They are placed a different location around the ring and sometimes see different things taking place.
That is why TV coverage (particularly in the old one camera days in fuzzy black & white) was and still is not as good as being ringside. Being human, boxing judges (and referees) are sometimes affected by the fans, just like officials in every sport. Ideally, a neutral location is always preferred, but that limits purses. Obviously, to increase revenue, Matchmakers, promoters, and even fighters know that hometown fighters will draw more attendence.
Most referees and judges are honest individuals trying to make the right call, but there are different combinations of factors at play that affect decisions.
A lot of different factors are at play. 1) Ring generalship (who makes the the other boxer fight their fight or style points). 2) Who throws the most punches (busier fighter). 3) Who lands the most punches (accurate fighter). Who lands the heavier punches (effective fighter). 4) Who is the cleaner/dirtier fighter (illegal holding, punching, tactics). 5) When is a fighter hurt (or feigning injury to sucker the opponent). See below about judge ring placement. 6) Clean punches to the body should count the same as head shots but are not as impresive to judges or fans because they don't draw blood or rarely illicit pained looks on a fighter except in accumulated amounts) 7) he factors above are given different values in different jurisdictions and by the judges themselves.
The judges are human. They are placed a different location around the ring and sometimes see different things taking place.
That is why TV coverage (particularly in the old one camera days in fuzzy black & white) was and still is not as good as being ringside. Being human, boxing judges (and referees) are sometimes affected by the fans, just like officials in every sport. Ideally, a neutral location is always preferred, but that limits purses. Obviously, to increase revenue, Matchmakers, promoters, and even fighters know that hometown fighters will draw more attendence.
Most referees and judges are honest individuals trying to make the right call, but there are different combinations of factors at play that affect decisions.