Should the ELO Ranking System Be Used For Boxing?

[BoxingGenius27]

I think a good way of judging older and modern fighters is using the math based ELO system. It's an algorithym based technology used to judge where fighters are ranked "All Time".

MMA uses it and I don't see why boxing doesn't do the same as well.

I like it because it's objective only based. It doesn't let personal feelings get in the way when judging fighters. Fighters are judged off facts only.

http://www.mma-elo.com/ranks.php

Thoughts?

[DeadLikeMe]

This could turn into a sports management thesis for anyone studying that out there...I would be very interested in contributing to figuring something like this out.

[BoxingGenius27]

All my engineers out there, what do you guys think?

Can you put something like this together for boxing as well?

[DeadLikeMe]

The only problem I see with an ELO ranking is that at 0-0-0 someone would be 1400...and if you look back at the old time ATGs who have like 20-30 losses if those loses came in bunches near the end of their careers it would significantly bring their calculated ELO down (provided you calculate it in a linear fashion)...whereas someone like Floyd Mayweather or Rocky Marciano could have a potentially higher ELO than Ali...now a dynamic ELO would be like 10x more difficult to calculate.

[boricuajr23]

i havent heard of it and love the idea but by reading what Deadlikeme said, sounds like it will lead to controversy like the BCS if a Marciano or Mayweather end up higher than Ali.

[BoxingGenius27]

The only problem I see with an ELO ranking is that at 0-0-0 someone would be 1400...and if you look back at the old time ATGs who have like 20-30 losses if those loses came in bunches near the end of their careers it would significantly bring their calculated ELO down (provided you calculate it in a linear fashion)...whereas someone like Floyd Mayweather or Rocky Marciano could have a potentially higher ELO than Ali...now a dynamic ELO would be like 10x more difficult to calculate.

Yes, that is a factor as well. I would think Roy would be affected by this...

[BoxingGenius27]

The only problem I see with an ELO ranking is that at 0-0-0 someone would be 1400...and if you look back at the old time ATGs who have like 20-30 losses if those loses came in bunches near the end of their careers it would significantly bring their calculated ELO down (provided you calculate it in a linear fashion)...whereas someone like Floyd Mayweather or Rocky Marciano could have a potentially higher ELO than Ali...now a dynamic ELO would be like 10x more difficult to calculate.

But ELO also takes "strength of schedule" into consideraton. So if Ali defeated 6 opponents with a high strength of schedule, like he did, he should still be ok despite the losses towards the end of his career.

[DeadLikeMe]

But ELO also takes "strength of schedule" into consideraton. So if Ali defeated 6 opponents with a high strength of schedule, like he did, he should still be ok despite the losses towards the end of his career.

Something like "margin of victory" would have to be included as well (or a composite average of the 3 cards) to factor in if something is truly a "good win."

If I didn't have so much to do at work today (as I'm typing this on NSB lol)...I would actually sit down and formulate a rough algorithm of some kind. If other people show interest in this and contribute I'm sure we could come up with something by the end of the weekend.

[DeadLikeMe]

But ELO also takes "strength of schedule" into consideraton. So if Ali defeated 6 opponents with a high strength of schedule, like he did, he should still be ok despite the losses towards the end of his career.

We would have to go linear rather than dynamic otherwise Pac getting KO'd by bums would literally **** his ELO...but then if you're going linear guys like Evander and Roy would get equally ****d. Thanks for bringing this up I will be thinking about it all day rather than doing the work I get paid for

and that MMA elo site was kinda garbage...I couldn't even find their formula anywhere...

[BoxingGenius27]

We would have to go linear rather than dynamic otherwise Pac getting KO'd by bums would literally **** his ELO...but then if you're going linear guys like Evander and Roy would get equally ****d. Thanks for bringing this up I will be thinking about it all day rather than doing the work I get paid for

and that MMA elo site was kinda garbage...I couldn't even find their formula anywhere...

But I actually like the bold because if we're using objective thinking over subjective, this information is necessary.

I will contribute what you ask me to do. I'm not a math major so I'm not sure if I can help with the calculations I'm pretty good at overseeing though and having an idea in mind for something.

You sound like you know what you're talking about in the math dept. If you need me to gather information and help you out or maybe give a few opinions, I'd be more than willing.