A lot of good threads about scoring going around lately, so I figured now would be time to pose this question: Imagine a round where Fighter A comes out aggressively and forces the tempo whereas Fighter B runs and moves the whole time such that Fighter A lands not a single punch. (Imagine, yes, because Willie Pep is only rumored to have pulled this off.) How would you score this round based on the criteria of judging (clean punches, effective aggression, defense, and ring generalship)? Defense obviously goes to Fighter A, but how about ring generalship? Who is imposing their style here? Would you give a 10-10?
Is fighter b throwing at all? Because no way in hell am I scoring a round for a guy that throws no punches, even if it's Willie Pep himself
10-9 A Clean punches would be a wash. I could see how someone would award it to A, considering the idea of boxing is to punch your opponent. A at least tried to do that. A His aggression was effective in that it put his opponent in a position to need to run and evade him. His ring generalship was effective enough so as to put himself into position to land punches, even if he didn't, and at the same time render his opponent in such a position to not even throw a single punch. B His defense was effective in that he managed to avoid every punch thrown.
If the other fighter didn't throw much either because he wasn't in position, and what he did throw missed and Pep feinted his way into being the one in control, you can give him the round. In reality, if someone was to actually try and win a round without throwing a punch, they'd clearly lose it.
I voted Fighter B. If he is constantly forcing his opponent to miss, maybe making a show of it... And not completely running, I think you could give it to "B" on the grounds that he is technically having the fight on his terms. Fighter "B" is executing his game plan. MAKING "A" miss his shots. Fighter "A" is failing to execute their game plan. Fighter "B", as long as he doesn't run, makes a show of it, makes his opponent off balance, and visibly frustrates "A", imo controls the round. Wouldn't wanna see 12 of said rounds, but if executed right it could be defensive art.
I agree with you... but it's a big if (hence why I voted "it depends")... It all has to do with who looks to be in control IMO. If B is making a show of it and visibly frustrating A, forcing him to throw easily counterable punches and give up vital information that may later be used against him, I'd give it to B... If A is calmly stalking, not expending energy, feinting and soliciting information on the defensive fighter's movement and tendencies, I'd say A (first round of Hearns-Leonard I is a good example of this)... If B is running scared, it goes to A no question.
So fighter "B" !!!!! Clearly he's better at dodging stuff. If you can dodge a punch you can dodge a beer.
Boxing is the art of hitting and not getting hit. If you throw no punches in a round you aren’t boxing and quite frankly should be disqualified.
But like wise if you don't hit.... If "A" throws 50 punches and misses them all, how you gonna give him the round.
Cause he was attempting both parts of the sport instead of intentionally not doing half the sport for three minutes. Should the other guy throw a few punches and land, he wins the round but to intentionally do absolutely nothing offensive for three minutes is not boxing. Even today if you are not firing back the ref can end the fight. The Pep story has been debunked on this very site multiple times and is nonsense. https://www.boxingforum24.com/threads/boxing-myths-that-need-to-die-asap.665086/#post-20962847
Hrmm I see where your coming from... I guess in my head I'm picturing a Floyd/ Canelo/ Fury/ RJJ level of showboating defence. I donno to me I enjoy watching a fighter slip punches they should really be getting hit with. Standing in the pocket and making the other guy miss is beautiful to me.
True, but is the ref gonna stop the fight if "A" hasn't landed anything? If we step away from this hypothetical for a second, and imagine a regular round where it's even, a guy slips like 10 punches in a row CLEARLY, the ref shouldn't stop the fight.
