By Jake Donovan
The use of Judges Scoring System (JSS) will finally begin to expand, even if only in an experimental capacity. The Nevada State Athletic Commission approved usage of the electronic scoring system on a trial basis, with the five-panel board passing a motion during its monthly agenda hearing held Tuesday in Las Vegas.
A presentation by the Mohegan Tribal Government was held during Tuesday’s agenda hearing. The Mohegan Tribal Government oversees all boxing events held at Mohegan Sun Casino in Uncasville, Conn., the first venue to roll out the program, which was introduced last spring.
The all-digital scoring allows fans to participate at ringside through the RingSide Scoring application, available for download on all Apple and Android devices. Fans are able to enter their scores round-by-round, compare their scores with other fans as the fight happens, and also have access to the judges’ scores at the end of the fight.
Mostly positive feedback has come from its usage at Mohegan Sun. Its intention is not to change the way fights are scored, but rather allow judges to enter scores electronically, which helps reduce human error and speeds up the process in assembling and delivering final scores.
Fans can download the RingSide Scoring application either through the App Store on Apple devices or through Google Play for Android devices.
No specific date was mentioned for when the NSAC will begin to utilize the digital scoring program. Its next boxing events will be held March 6 and March 7, with the latter serving as the premiere of Al Haymon’s “Premier Boxing Champions” series in prime time on NBC. Both shows will take place on MGM Grand Resort property.
Jake Donovan is the Managing Editor of BoxingScene.com, as well as a member of Transnational Boxing Ratings Board and the Boxing Writers Association of America. Twitter: @JakeNDaBox
