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Computer says no!

Scrap the Olympic system before it ruins amateur boxing

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Williams: shocking decision

Wayne McCullough has seen enough! He wants the Olympic scoring system to be scrapped. < Back to Story

Comments

Joe Woolliams says...

I couldn't agree more, I think the 10/9 scoring system should remain consistant in pro and amatuer boxing as it is a tried and tested method of achieving fair results. Why should professional and amatuer boxing require different tactics (particularly when the amatuer scoring system is forcing fighters to limit their style and skill).

Posted 04:38 25th August 2008

Dominic Oconnor says...

He is absolutely correct. This system doesnt mean the best fighter on the day always wins. Many great shots go unrewarded and fighters do run unashamedly.

Posted 03:58 25th August 2008

Anthony Silsby says...

I made a few comments earlier on amateur boxing and would like to withdraw the last sentance on refs.,& judges because I know they do,do course and put alot of their spare time into the sport. The other comments I made I stand by.

Posted 03:53 25th August 2008

Conor Fleming says...

Would have to agree with Wayne defo a few dodgy decisions and points missed. There was also a few points awarded for some fairly soft Punches/Slaps to the Shoulders of some fighters.

Posted 03:25 25th August 2008

Cliff Abrons says...

Scoring is ludicrous the way it is. How can a 10 love-taps beat 10 well connected hooks. And with scores being shown as the fight progresses, its no wonder the final stages look like "Come Dancing", but in strange oufits.

Posted 03:19 25th August 2008

Roger Mclaren says...

The scoring system in the Olympics was flawed and and absolute joke

Posted 00:30 25th August 2008

Steve Tribe says...

I agree with Wayne 100%. All through this games I have been fuming at the scoring in boxing. It has been very unfair on many boxers. Countless punches and combinations which, in professional boxing would have scored and been admired, were not rewarded with anything. I also think that there is incompetence, unfairness and favouritism amongst the judges, or at least that's how it seemed. I also totally agree that boxers and trainers should not be allowed to see the score during the bout. The current scoring system is enough to put anybody off. The system should be scrapped and there should be a wholesale review before 2012. Somebody in authority needs to take the lead and stand up and bee counted. Bring back fairness and justice again.

Posted 00:16 25th August 2008

John B says...

I totally agree with him, but then again the same has happened in Pro fights, i remember Robin Reed Fighting some German Guy for a title and for me and the comentators he won it hands down, there was no way Robin was going to win unless he knocked the guy out, and then they would have probably defaulted him for some reason if he did. I guess you can't win really, unless they decide something like overtime until someone gets taken out. Maybe even have several Refs from different countries or even comentators making the final decision.

Posted 22:39 24th August 2008

Terry Woodcock says...

Wayne is right! I agree with all his comments. Neither system is perfect, but this computerised scoring is hopeless! So many accurate punches just do not register, whether from inadequate reactions by the Judges, or deliberate omissions. Let us go back to the previous system, where, at least, everyone can clearly assess the accuracy of the scores, and each judge can be held accountable for his scores. It cannot prohibit prejudice, but it can make it more evident, and therefore less likely!

Posted 22:07 24th August 2008

John Sludds says...

I agree with Wayne's comments. Boxing is about ring craft, and tactics. Body punches and combo's should count in the scoring system Punches to the midfiff slow an opponent down, making it easier to tag him. Combo's show that the boxer is trying to be the aggressor and the more dominant fighter. This system only seems to score straight shots to the face. Amateur boxing is beginning to look like a joke and very frustrating for coaches and backroom staff as well as fans to sit and watch a fight go to the guy who throws a few straight shots to the head, and unless this system is withdrawn now, it will only drag the sport further into the mud.

Posted 20:33 24th August 2008

Peter Merrall says...

I agree with Wayne. Point scoring doesn't work and it is altering amateur boxing beyond regonition. The gulf between the Pro game and the Amateurs is widening by the year. It needs sorting out

Posted 20:28 24th August 2008

Scott Freeman says...

Wayne is spot on i box and have felt some scores are just made up. I have had bouts where the score has ended5-4 to me but know both my opponent and i have scored that in one round easily. I think scoring like the pros would be easier for the casual observer and purists alike.

Posted 19:40 24th August 2008

Tony Kay says...

I completely agree, having watched most of the boxing matches there was definately favouritism to the Home Fighters!! Not only were the judges biast in the boxing but i feel in the whole olypics some of the decisions were discraceful and action should be taken to prevent thi from happening in the future.

Posted 19:29 24th August 2008

Anthony Silsby says...

I agree with everything Wayne McCullough says. I'd go futher and go back to 3,3minute rounds, ditch that silly helmit, return to the old way scoreing and have all refs.,& judges do a course on boxing. Then promote officals through different grades when their fit and able to take charge of the better class of bout.

Posted 18:31 24th August 2008

David Burgoyne says...

There is no room for computer scoring in the manner. They should go back to slips of paper, it gives the Judges more time to evaluate a sequence of punches.

Posted 17:34 24th August 2008

Mark Yellil says...

After watching the final between the irish boxer and the chinese i was absolutley shocked at the way the bout was scored. The irish fighter landed alot of clear scoring punches that were not counted. I felt he was the better boxer both technically and with going forward. The judges at ringside should be ashamed of there decisions he was cheated out of a gold medal in my opinion. Was this just because he was fighting a man from china? The scoring system needs to be looked at and definatley changed as it is a total scam.

Posted 16:06 24th August 2008

Nathan Allington says...

i think Wayne is exactly right, the system is totally wrong, ive seen several fights this olympics where a boxer has landed several good shots and not scored, then gone on to lose the fight, a new system has to be brought in.

Posted 16:02 24th August 2008

Gerry F says...

Wayne is absolutely 100% spot on. I'm an amateur boxing coach and the number of times I've seen two boys go hammer and tongs for three or four rounds, only for a score of 1-0, or 2-1 to be scored, is ridiculous. There have been other times when I've seen a boxer knock his opponent to the canvas only for the judges not to score it as a point! Bring back the scorecards!

Posted 15:46 24th August 2008

Michael Magee says...

I fully agree with Wayne that the scoring throughout the games has been an absolute farce. After watching Paddy Barnes' fight in the semi-finals i was sickened to see the final score of 15-0 when it was clear that Barnes had landed numerous good shots on his opponents. There does seem to be favouritism shown to some boxers and this system of scoring really needs to be accessed if olympic boxing is going move forward.

Posted 15:42 24th August 2008

Ben Pettitt says...

I do agree with Wayne, however as I'm sure everyone knows, the old system was changed to the current computer one due to the outrageous robbery Roy Jones Jr was a victim of in Seoul, 1988. If the old system was reintroduced for London 2012, I'm sure the integrity of our judges would lead to the correct fighter winning MOST of the time. However, as with anything that is objective, as with professionals, occasionally the wrong fighter gets the nod & outrage runs riot. Basically, no system in scoring a fight is flawless so why don't we rid the amateurs of headguards & hopefully we'll get more knockouts! After all, any boxing fans I know consider professional & amateur to be so dissimilar that we find it difficult to see how anyone is expected to make the transition seamlessly. Amir Khan for example still has many amateuristic flaws on display for the professional sport

Posted 15:42 24th August 2008

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