Controversial Becoming Everyday in Boxing!

By: Pat Connor (SBB)
Saturday December 5th, at the Boardwalk Hall, Atlantic City, New Jersey three time world champion light middleweight Paul “The Punisher” Williams won what is turning out to be a regular thing in boxing these days, a “controversial decision.” Williams won a 114 –14, 115-113, 119-110 majority decision over Sergio Martinez in what most on either side would call a close fight. So please tell me where does 119-110 fit in.

I guess it fits in fine if you consider last weeks Ali Funeka vs Joan Guzman scoring fiasco or the Paulie Malignaggi / Juan Diaz scoring differential a couple of months ago and who knows how many minor fight scandals we don’t hear of. Well, I hear Paulie Malignaggi ringing in my ears right now and maybe it wasn’t the right time or in the right manner but this proves Paulie definitely got it right and in my book that’s what counts specifically when it comes to scoring.

Its time, boxing needs a tune up, if not an overhaul. I don’t have the answers but a meeting of the boxing minds is in order before boxing is found out of order. I understand that many times fights come down to a matter of style but style should not effect scoring.

Why does an aggressor get the benefit just for being the aggressor if the counter puncher landed the cleaner more effective punches? Like most I believe the fighter that lands the most clean effective shots wins each round and the point total of the rounds gives you the victor. Winning the first or last round plays no weight in the scoring of the bout. Just that round. As far as effective aggressiveness I guess it comes down to your definition of effectiveness. Coming forward and missing shots gets no points. Nor does “tapping” your opponent in a clinch score points. Clean effective punching. Well to come clean I felt Martinez was going to pull an upset and an upset he got we’re all upset at least at judge Pierre Benoist for his 119-110 call for Williams. I even know two judges that didn’t see it that way and they were there.

 (www.StrictlyBusinessBoxing.com)