Boxing’s 10 point scoring system
-1 Every round without a knock down (one fighter hitting the canvas) or without a point deduction for an illegal blow, will be scored on a ten point must system. This means that without a knock down or point deduction, the round will be scored 10 points for the winner and 9 for the loser.
–2 Obviously a huge part of Boxing is how many times you can land a punch cleanly. So this is a great place to start. As long as the punch doesn’t land on the gloves or in an illegal spot (like the back of the head) it will count. In professional Boxing, there is no point value for each punch landed, but if a fighter lands more punches then the other guy, it is pretty likely that he is winning the round.
–3 The next thing you need to focus on is which fighters punches are causing the most damage. A good way to tell this is by which fighters punches are landing harder, as well as if they are more effective in hurting the other fighter. That is why judges not only score clean punches, but effective ones. If a fighter is landing the more damaging punches he can still win the round even if the other fighter lands more.
–4 The next step is what is called “Ring Generalship” and it refers to which fighter is controlling the tempo of the fight. This is the fighter that is controlling the pace, and basically fighting the way they want to fight. You can score it by figuring out which fighter you would rather be while watching the fight. Who looks like they are winning to you? That is how you score ring generalship.
–5 The next step to remember is that even though the rounds have to be scored 10 for the winner and 9 for the loser, that will change if there is a knock down or a point deduction. A fighter knocked down loses one point for every knock down they recieve in a round. If a fighter is winning a round and then scores a knock down, he will win a round 10 points to 8. So the knock down essentially takes a point from the fighter who was knocked down. Every knock down is a point. If you are knocked down 2 times, the score will be 10 points to 7. If there is a point deduction for an illegal blow (hitting below the belt or behind the head) the fighter who caused the deduction will lose a point. Even if he won the round otherwise, he would go from 10 points to 9. So in that case, the score for the round would be 9 to 9.
–6 Last but not least, if a fighter is knocked down and is unable to make it to their feet and show that they are able to continue by the count of 10 seconds, the fight will be stopped.
Marquess of Queensberry Rules
The Marquess of Queensberry rules is a code of generally accepted rules in the sport of boxing. They were named so because the 9th Marquess of Queensberry publicly endorsed the code. They are intended for use in both professional and amateur boxing matches, thus separating it from the less popular American Fair Play Rules which were strictly intended for amateur matches.
History
The boxing code was written by John Graham Chambers in 1865 and published in 1867 as “the Queensberry rules for the sport of boxing”. This code of rules superseded the Revised London Prize Ring Rules (1853), which had themselves replaced the original London Prize Ring rules (1743) of Jack Broughton. This version persuaded boxers that “you must not fight simply to win; no holds barred is not the way; you must win by the rules” (17, sect. 5, pt. 1).
One early prize fighter who fought under Marquess of Queensberry rules was James (“Jem”) Mace, who won the English heavyweight title under these rules in 1861.
Rules
- To be a fair stand-up boxing match in a 24-foot (7.3 m) ring, or as near that size as practicable.
- No wrestling or hugging allowed.
- The rounds to be of three minutes duration, and one minutes time between rounds.
- If either man falls through weakness or otherwise, he must get up unassisted, 10 seconds to be allowed him to do so, the other man meanwhile to return to his corner, and when the fallen man is on his legs the round is to be resumed and continued until the three minutes have expired. If one man fails to come to the scratch in the 10 seconds allowed, it shall be in the power of the referee to give his award in favour of the other man.
- A man hanging on the ropes in a helpless state, with his toes off the ground, shall be considered down.
- No seconds or any other person to be allowed in the ring during the rounds.
- Should the contest be stopped by any unavoidable interference, the referee to name the time and place as soon as possible for finishing the contest; so that the match must be won and lost, unless the backers of both men agree to draw the stakes.
- The gloves to be fair-sized boxing gloves of the best quality and new.
- Should a glove burst, or come off, it must be replaced to the referee’s satisfaction.
- A man on one knee is considered down and if struck is entitled to the stakes.
- No shoes or boots with springs allowed.
- The contest in all other respects to be governed by revised rules of the London Prize Ring.
