When a boxing fight has plenty of action, there is nothing quite like it. The energy that fills up a room when opponents feed off one another and the crowd is electric. A bout ending in a knockout results in pandemonium.
And if a fight goes the distance? How does a judge determine how to score it if it is close? Why did they score it a draw? A result can either be praised, or leave fans with plenty of questions.
Boxing has had a long history of great fights, some with questionable outcomes.
To help you better understand how judges score fights, The Sporting News put together a quick cheat sheet on scorecards and point systems.
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What are the rules of boxing?
Since the late 1800s, The Marquess of Queensberry Rules has been the general blueprint for boxing rules. Recently, The Association of Boxing Commissions has created updated guidelines for boxing.
A boxing fight consists of three-minute rounds (two for women), with the number of rounds depending on the level of a fighter. Originally 15, the most amount of rounds a fight can go is currently 12 (10 for women).
Scoring in each round is based on the following:
- Effective aggression: The aggressor in the fight consistently lands punches while avoiding key…
