Expert: Lian Shoemake - 2/20/2008

Question
From my understanding, in the 10 point must system the boxer that wins the round must receive 10 points. I have a scenario that maybe you can clarify for me. What if boxer A knocks boxer B down at the beginning of the first round. Thereafter, Boxer B dramatically outpoints Boxer A. I would think that boxer A would receive 10-8 for the knockdown and boxer B 10-9 for winning that round by outscoring A. Would I be correct if I score that round in favor of A 9-8?

Answer
Hi David,
Thanks for the question.

The 10-point "must" system dictates that the winner of a round must receive 10 points. In your scenario, boxer A would probably receive a 10-8 round, unless the attack of boxer B was so dramatic that the judge ruled that Boxer B had effectively mitigated the extra advantage of the knockdown. In that case, the round would probably be scored 10-9, still in favor of boxer A.
The margin between the 10 points the winner of the round receives, and the points the loser of the round receives, (9 or less) is intended to reflect the closeness of the round.
In a nutshell, it's pretty much unheard of for a boxer who scores a knockdown to not ultimately win the round, absent that same boxer being dropped himself or herself.

I hope this helps, David.
Thanks again for writing!

Regards,
Lian