CJ Ross Has Further Damaged Her and Boxing's Already Shaky Credibility

At least CJ Ross didn’t cost the better fighter a win this time.

Floyd Mayweather dominated Saul Alvarez on Saturday night. He landed 115 more punches according to CompuBox, but he only won by majority decision because of Ross. She scored the fight a draw.

MLive.com’s David Mayo reported that Floyd Mayweather Sr. questioned boxing’s credibility after the announcement:

"

There's no way, man. That is totally wrong about a draw. A draw where? The man came nowhere close to a draw. The man took a beating, man. If a man gets a draw for taking a beating these days, boxing ain’t going nowhere.

"

Mayweather Sr. isn’t just a father who’s bitter about his son being robbed of a unanimous decision. Boxing experts Lennox Lewis, Dan Rafael and Michael Wilbon all criticized Ross’ ruling:

Ross’ name has become synonymous with abysmal judging. She scored Manny Pacquiao and Timothy Bradley’s fight 113-115 in favor of Bradley, despite Pacquiao landing 94 more total punches—including 82 power—and more punches in 10 of 12 rounds, according to CompuBox.

Ross doesn’t just save her worst judging performances for her most anticipated fights either. She has now accumulated six controversial scorecards since 2011, per BoxRec, perceiving those fights radically different than her fellow judges and/or the audience.

“I thought [the draw] was a joke,” said Mayweather, via USA Today’s Bob Velin.

Ross confirmed on Saturday night that her ability to score a boxing match is a joke. The Nevada State Athletic Commission, who appointed Ross to work the fight, would be wise to think twice the next time it considers her to judge a highly anticipated fight in Las Vegas. It isn’t doing it’s, or boxing’s, credibility any favors.

Mayweather is 36 years old. Manny Pacquiao turns 35 this Dec. Boxing’s only two cash cows are close to hanging up the gloves. If the sport doesn’t demand a higher standard of excellence from its judges, Mayweather and Pacquiao’s retirement will leave casual fans with no reason to tune into another match.

David Daniels is a breaking news writer at Bleacher Report and news editor at Wade-O Radio.