Boxing To Abandon Computerized Scoring Post London 2012

January 13, 2012

The computerized scoring system designed for boxing at London 2012 will be abandoned after the Olympics.

The move is part of the sport’s wish to better align the amateur and professional games, and to encourage fighters to be victorious with flair.

The AIBA (International Amateur Boxing Association) president, Ching-Kuo Wu, believes that the abolition of a rigid computer scoring system is essential in the improvement of the amateur format.

The computerized scoring system, which will be utilised this summer, was first used at last year’s men’s world championships and was envisioned to mitigate the risk of Olympic bouts being rigged.

Wu, however, has chosen to renege upon the utilisation of this system which is “impossible to manipulate” in favour of the “10-points must” system of  professional boxing.

“The current scoring system is based on the punches (landed) so the judge has no other way to judge the boxer. 10-points must is comprehensive, with the style of the boxer and their fighting spirit and also the score.

“At the moment there’s no way to judge these boxers as performers, showing their style. Muhammad Ali, why is he (great)? Because of his style.

“When you enter into professional competition it is who is the best boxer, you have many areas to perform”.

Wu added that referees and judges would be trained in the “10-points must” system first, hence the decision not to implicate this system immediately.

“Our referees and judges will train for using the scoring method. We have to have a process. In AIBA, everybody involved on the technical side, technical officials, referees, judges, they have to pass the examination. The most important job is to establish the system”.

Headguards for male boxers will also be scrapped post the London Games and, in a more radical move, the governing body will launch APB (AIBA Professional Boxing) next year which will enable amateur boxers to earn money from the sport without recourse to the sanctioning bodies of the professional game.