Amateur Boxing Q&Q
With allegations flying around in the world of amateur boxing, we answer some questions about the sport.
Last Updated: 23/09/11 10:38am
With allegations flying around in the world of amateur boxing, we answer some questions about the sport.
HOW IS AMATEUR BOXING SCORED?
AIBA introduced a new scoring system this year in a bid to improve the old system which it was claimed put too much onus on the individual - and often ageing - judges' reaction times. Previously, a boxer would be awarded a point if three of five ringside judges pressed the appropriate coloured button within a second of a punch being thrown. In the new system, the individual scores of each judge are recorded, and the average of the three closest scores is taken as the score at the end of each round.
WILL IT MAKE THE SCORING SYSTEM MORE TRANSPARENT?
Seemingly not. The old system was deeply flawed, but due to innovations like electronic scoring, which allowed the crowd to see the accumulation of points as they happened, those flaws were laid bare for all to see. In principle the new system does appear a more inherently fair one. But in the kinds of climates of controversy which constantly swirl around any sports whose outcomes are decided by panels of judges, the retraction of such a transparent system may be seen by some as suspicious.
WHY IS AMATEUR BOXING DOGGED BY CORRUPTION ALLEGATIONS?
The break-up of the old Eastern Bloc, traditionally amateur boxing's powerhouse region, led to the formation of many new nations, each with new voting rights and vested interests. So much power shifted east as a result that it did not take much to happen for allegations of old alliances and mutual assistance to spring forth, adding fuel to the fire which had burned ever since the 1988 Olympics in Seoul.
WHAT IS THE MOST NOTABLE CASE OF AMATEUR BOXING CORRUPTION?
The 1988 Seoul Olympics represented a nadir for the amateur sport. A series of questionable decisions culminated in Roy Jones losing his light-middleweight final to South Korean Park Si-Hun. Despite out-landing his opponent 86-32 on punch statistics, the five judges were split 3-2 in favour of the South Korea. Although subsequent investigations led to the three judges in question being suspended, the decision to award Park the gold medal was never overturned.
WHAT IS THE WSB?
The World Series of Boxing was set up by AIBA in 2009 ostensibly to provide amateur boxers with a reason to resist turning professional. Boxers sign salaried contracts with global city franchises, who compete against each other, with each bout consisting of five rounds of three minutes each, without headguards or vests. A projected London franchise was shelved due to concerns over the competition's financial viability.
WHO ARE GREAT BRITAIN'S BIGGEST RIVALS HEADING INTO 2012?
Azerbaijan have made great strides in recent years and boast two or three genuine medal hopes. Russia are as dominant as ever and the likes of Kazakhstan, Mongolia and Uzbekistan are traditionally strong. Cuba's influence has waned in recent times but they are bound to send a new batch of stars to London. Ireland emerged from nowhere in Beijing and will look for at least three medals. America will be looking to emerge from a recent slump.
