Expert: Lian Shoemake - 5/26/2007

Question
In the USA Boxing western trials in Salt Lake City, Utah, a semi-final fight winner in the 141 lb class won a 2-1 paper decision. What is a paper decision?

Answer
Hi Steve,
Thanks for the question. USA Boxing utilizes computer scoring, where judges use touch pads to record scoring blows. Those totals are tallied electronically by computer, and read at the conclusion of the bout. However, a "jury" of USA Boxing officials also score the bout on "paper", or using the written scoring system that preceeded the computer scoring. That "paper scoring" is used only in the event that the computer malfunctions in some way. That must have been the case in Utah, so the scores of the judges who used the paper scorecards determined the winner.
I hope this helps, Steve.
Thanks again for writing!

Regards,
Lian