“…. Judges are to score each round using the following scoring criteria:
- Clean punching (power versus quantity).
- Effective aggressiveness.
- Ring generalship.
- Defense.”
When scoring each round, judges are to refer to the Scoring Criteria outlined in the ABC’s
Regulatory Guidelines:8
The ABC expands upon this in its Certification Program, stating:
”
The test to measure the awarding of points for “offensive boxing” should be the number of direct, clean punches delivered with the knuckle part of the closed glove on any part of the scoring zone of the opponent’s body above the belt line. The judges should also consider the effect of blows received versus the number of punches delivered. Punches that are blocked or deflected should not be considered in tabulating your score. Blocked or deflected punches that land foul are not to be considered fouls in the awarding of points at the end of the round.”9 (Professional Boxing Judges, Chapter III – Scoring Zone).
It also states:
“
Determination should not be mistaken for aggressiveness when one boxer continuously moves forward boring in on the opponent regardless of the number of punches being received. If an attack is not effective, the boxer cannot receive credit for it. In order for the boxer to be effective in their aggressiveness, he or she must force the action and set the tempo of the bout through forward movement. The boxer must score punches while blocking and avoiding the opponents counter punching. An aggressive boxer who continues boring in and getting hit from every angle should not be awarded points based on aggressiveness.”10 (Professional Boxing Judges, Chapter V – Scoring The Bout).
Finally, the Certification Program provides guidelines as to how a round should be scored numerically:
- “10/9 From a “close” to “moderate” margin
- 10/8 EXTREMELY DECISIVE (without a knockdown)
- 10/8 One knockdown
- 10/7 Two knockdowns
- 10/6 More than (2) two knockdowns
- 10/10 Cannot pick a winner (very rare).”11 (Professional Boxing Judges, Chapter VIII – Scoring Criteria).
………..
“A judge should not only know what a 10/9 round is, but know the degree a boxer is winning the 10/9 round. Either a boxer won a close 10/9 round, a moderate 10/9 round, or a decisive 10/9 round. Extreme decisive may push the score to a 10/8 score depending on the judgment of the judge.” (Professional Boxing Judges, Chapter VIII – Scoring The Bout).
