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I have ignored my e-mail for far too long, so I decided to encompass the questions to me in a “top 10” format. Nothing against those of you who have taken the time to inquire as to whether I am in fact a bastard, but there weren’t enough of those e-mails to make the top 10 list. I also do not have the DNA test results back to respond properly.
1. How do I become a boxing judge? The way I did it was probably backwards from the way it is normally done, but I will recommend it regardless. The first thing is to get educated and the only real way to do that is to attend the judges certification school offered at various times per year by the Association of Boxing Commissions. If you pass the examination, then contact the state athletic commission in your area and apply for a license. Get a couple dozen local fights under your belt and then apply with the “alphabet soup” organizations. Links to the WBA, WBC, WBO, and IBF are listed on my home page.
2. What does extreme decisive mean? “Extreme decisive” or “excessive decisive” is a label for scoring a round 10 to 8 without a knockdown. An extreme decisive round is complete one-sided domination.
3. What is ring generalship? I don’t know, you tell me. I can’t stand the phrase, so I use “control.” To me it is a tie breaker. In other words, if a round is so close that I can’t decide on scoring blows alone, then I will look to who is controlling the fight. I loathe rounds that are scored even; therefore, if it is that close, I will score the round for the fighter forcing the action.
4. In some fights, why is there a wide variance between the judges’ scores? Every judge scores the round from his or her respective vantage point, which may be out of visual range to see the scoring blows. Referees also have a tendency to get in the way. That being said, while they will never admit it, some judges prefer certain styles over others.
5. Which fighters are on your top 5 greatest list? I am going to punt this one for another time; however, I can tell you that the top 5 since I became a fan of the sport are, in no particular order, the following: Sugar Ray Leonard; Thomas Hearns; Marvin Hagler; Mike Tyson; and Evander Holyfield.
6. Could Manny Pacquiao have defeated Roberto Duran at lightweight? I have fully disclosed my bias towards Manny, but there is no way in Hades that Pacquiao defeats Duran in a prime-v-prime match up at lightweight.
7. Who is the most underrated/underappreciated boxer today? Well let’s see, Larry Holmes has long since retired, so it must be Paul Williams.
8. Do you think there will ever be a true undisputed champion again? I don’t care what anyone else says, it takes 4 belts now and the rules of the alphabet soup organizations make it virtually impossible. That being said, Vic Darchinyan may do it.
9. What is open scoring? Open scoring is a system where the judges’ scores are released throughout the fight, typically every 4 rounds. This system is mandatory in some jurisdictions; however, it is universally despised.
10. Who do you think Manny Pacquiao should fight next? I will let Top Rank handle the matchmaking, but I would love to see another fight against Juan Manuel Marquez. Miguel Cotto and Shane Mosley are also very interesting opponents. If money was not an option, I’d like to see him go back to lightweight and fight Edwin Valero for the WBC title. Explosive! My guess is that Floyd Mayweather, Jr. will be next though.
I appreciate your questions, comments, and even your criticisms. I promise to be more diligent about answering e-mail. Please keep them coming to [email protected].
