Comments Thread For: There's Something Evil in Boxing and it Stinks

[S7V7N]

I can't remember which sanctioning body is doing it (I'm pretty sure, ironically, that it's the WBC) where they experimented with a new judging system with more judges distributed more evenly around the ring so there's less chance of them missing something. It's got to be better than just having three judges all looking at the same angle, so if they're seated at a bad position and miss something then all three miss it.

In the next ten years or so, however, I believe that fights are going to be at least partially scored by AI. Sounds like science fiction but we're closer to that reality than most people realise. That'll be the ultimate tech solution as it strips all the subjectivity out of the equation, except the subjective interpretation criteria that you feed into its programming. In 2028, instead of the judges being three crusty old former referees with poor eyesight, the judges will be two computers with mobile cameras that travel back and forth on tracks just beyond the ring apron, and one suspended directly above the ring by wires that watches the action from directly above. All three will adjust which fighter they believe is winning the round from moment to moment instead of making their mind up at the end of the fight, and all three will be able to communicate rule infractions that the referee doesn't notice to him by issuing an alert and providing a video replay as evidence that the ref will be able to watch on a handheld device that he'll clip to his belt. A machine will also ring the bell for the beginning and end of the round with laser-precise timing. Once you can teach a machine to watch fights and interpret what it's seeing, all the problems with modern judging end. Of course, all of this nixes the opportunity for washed-up officials with dementia from getting cushy judging appointments to top up their savings in their dotage (as well as the bribes they take from corrupt promoters,) so chances are it'll never happen.

I like it but feel it's not very realistic. NFL could have added a simple highlighted mark on each end of the ball or be tracked with GPS & we'd always know exactly where to spot it or if it indeed crossed the Goal Line. People like the human aspect & the controversy, why coaches still have to challenge bad calls ffs.

The best solution I think I first heard suggested by Joe Rogan (3:10) is to do away with the 10pnt must system & simply have 10 judges (4:00) that are at a separate location & watch the fights without commentary so neither the crowd or announcers affect their scoring. It's such a simple solution, the larger pool of judges increases the odds of having a fair score. You can always have a couple bad ones from either side of the spectrum, throw out the highs & lows...the average is what always determines the winner.

[chaosisme]

To be honest, I mostly just watch/follow boxing out of habit at this point. I don't even consider it a sport. It's strictly business.

Personally, I think business would be better with 50-50 fights and the possibility of both fighters having a chance to win a decision. That's how you cater to the "casual" fan.

[mattr]

Good points by Dixon but why do some of these writers have to use words like 'delectable or 'delicious' when describing a fight?? This is boxing, a true mans sport, not tennis. Dixon sounds almost as gay as Sky's Adam Smith here, who is, of course, a pure Gaylord.

[alexguiness]

Unless someone is knocked out, or the towel thrown in then there will always be inconsistencies on scorecards.

This is why I advocate the fighters continue until someone quits or is stopped / knocked out.

Boxer's know the risks, more drama means more $$$ as well.

Too many betas on their menstrual cycle complain about decisions etc, mainly due to the fact they have either a sexual or racial preference to one fighter.

Climbing mountains is sometimes 60/40 surviving or dying, and you don't get paid huge amounts of money for that.

Put your life on the line for the biggest prizes.

[Fastfish]

The best solution I think I first heard suggested by Joe Rogan (3:10) is to do away with the 10pnt must system & simply have 10 judges (4:00) that are at a separate location & watch the fights without commentary so neither the crowd or announcers affect their scoring. It's such a simple solution, the larger pool of judges increases the odds of having a fair score. You can always have a couple bad ones from either side of the spectrum, throw out the highs & lows...the average is what always determines the winner.

Interesting suggestion.

I advocate the fighters continue until someone quits or is stopped / knocked out.

Definitely old school. Too PC nowadays.

[Ecosse1]

I know this will probably get shouted down, but is there a more pragmatic solution? I’ve often felt watching from ring-side (at much smaller local bouts, I don’t get ringside at title fights!) you actually miss quite a few shots that you see clearly on video afterwards from a better vantage point. I guess what I’m saying is maybe their is a technology solution or perhaps a better location for judges to
score from? Just putting it out there for debate ...

One problem I see with that is who controls the editing and replays? Networks are inclined to show more replays of the home or big star fighter landing their shots

[PittyPat]

The best solution I think I first heard suggested by Joe Rogan (3:10) is to do away with the 10pnt must system & simply have 10 judges (4:00) that are at a separate location & watch the fights without commentary so neither the crowd or announcers affect their scoring. It's such a simple solution, the larger pool of judges increases the odds of having a fair score. You can always have a couple bad ones from either side of the spectrum, throw out the highs & lows...the average is what always determines the winner.

Ski jumping (my #1 sport just ahead of boxing) has something like that – 5 judges scoring, with both the highest and lowest scores being eliminated. A subjectively judged sport still relying on 3 judges is ludicrous.

[Redgloveman]

Glasgow is not kind to the away fighter - I've still got the sour taste of Burns v Beltran in my mouth.

Having said that - if it took Saturday night for you to realise that there's something in boxing that stinks you're a ****ing idiot

[Madison Boxing]

He won the fight deservedly. It wasn't as close as people on here are making out

[Marvlus Marv]

The judges had Postol only winning 1, 2 and 3 rounds respectively. I had Vik 6 - 2 up after 8 rounds and I'm team Taylor through and through. Hate to say it, it used to be Germany but UK boxing is where you'll find the worst cooking these days. It was the only let down of a top night.