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De La Hoya didn't lose because the judges weren't enamored with his defensive/counter-punching style. He won most of the 1st half of the fight by doing this. He lost because during the 2nd half of the fight he gradually stopped landing any effective blows and started to just focus solely on not getting hit. Trinidad's style never changed the entire fight (he only knows how to fight one way). Trinidad is a puncher and only knows how to come forward and press the attack. Sure, he wasn't as effective as he would have wanted to be but he was still landing a good shot every now and then as opposed to De La Hoya who wasn't even trying to land a meaningful blow as the fight progressed.
Mosley vs De La Hoya II was a interesting fight as well because many felt De La Hoya won due to landing more punches. But judges look to see if the punches were effective. If you're a defensive/counter-punching fighter who is flicking out a jab followed by an occasional right hand and it's not deterring the guy fighting you and you don't vary your attack with some power punches (hooks, uppercuts, right cross,etc...) then you're in trouble. This is what De La Hoya was doing. Mosley on the other hand was only landing 1 punch for every 2 of De La Hoya's however his shots were the cleaner, more damaging punches. The judges take note of this and also can see how each fighter reacts after being hit by the other. If you're going to be a defensive/counter-punching fighter and want to be successful obviously you have to be good enough so that the guy fighting you doesn't land a high percentage of power shots against you. But you also have to be able to land good, effective blows yourself. Mayweather is the best example of this kind of style currently fighting. Malignaggi tries to fight this way but doesn't land enough clean punches to impress the judges or even to keep his opponent (if they're any good) off of him.
Mosley vs De La Hoya II was a interesting fight as well because many felt De La Hoya won due to landing more punches. But judges look to see if the punches were effective. If you're a defensive/counter-punching fighter who is flicking out a jab followed by an occasional right hand and it's not deterring the guy fighting you and you don't vary your attack with some power punches (hooks, uppercuts, right cross,etc...) then you're in trouble. This is what De La Hoya was doing. Mosley on the other hand was only landing 1 punch for every 2 of De La Hoya's however his shots were the cleaner, more damaging punches. The judges take note of this and also can see how each fighter reacts after being hit by the other. If you're going to be a defensive/counter-punching fighter and want to be successful obviously you have to be good enough so that the guy fighting you doesn't land a high percentage of power shots against you. But you also have to be able to land good, effective blows yourself. Mayweather is the best example of this kind of style currently fighting. Malignaggi tries to fight this way but doesn't land enough clean punches to impress the judges or even to keep his opponent (if they're any good) off of him.
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