Is there anyone who COULD have won a round without throwing a punch against competent opposition?

Roy Jr maybe.

He might even knock someone out.

 

Willie Pep + stupid judges might have been able to.

 

When 2 of the things that a judge is supposed to consider are effective aggression and punches landed....

 

This myth has only lasted as long as it has because if anyone were to do it, it would be the Will of the Wisp.

 

Sven Ottke could have won a round 10-8 against Robin Reid with that officiating.

 

I think it's theoretically possible. It depends on the respective judge’s view, scoring system and fighters. For example, an all-time great and defensive wizard with great footwork ala Willie Pep fights at his best against a weak journeyman (can be still a competent opponent).

I think the 10-point Must System based on 4 criteria.

1. „Clean punching“
It's the most important criteria but if the weak journeyman cannot land any clean punches?
Maybe slight advantage for the weak journeyman (if not even).

2. „Effective aggressiveness “
Maybe slight advantage for the more aggressive journeyman who isn't effective though.

3. „Ring generalship“
Clear advantage for the defensive master. He dominates the action and plays with his opponent.

4. „Defense“
Clear advantage for the defensive master.

All in all, it should be possible (at least for the 10-point Must System).

 

Of course, it would be very difficult. Thus, it would be easier if the great fighter's opponent would be already tired and dazed.

 

Yeah, why not?
It all depends what the other guy does.

It probably has happened anyway.

 

In that case scenario Johnny Nelson never lost a round in his career stay safe guys.

 

Pernell Whitaker or Wilfredo Benitez. Both had a certain flare and style when they made an opponent miss. One can get influenced by their theatrics....

 

A round? Broner won an entire fight that way last time out.

 

If Mayweather wanted to and focused solely on defense for just 1 round, I'm sure he could have done this to a few guys. Even some ranked contenders.

 

Which is actually quite an achievement when you think how much (presumably) his opponent must have really wanted to smack the loathsome tw@t.

 

Ali danced for just over 1 minute of the first rd v Williams without landing a punch and without being hit in any way worthy of being scored. Ali broke the defensive display with a left jab to Williams’ midsection. If Ali was inclined to it, another 2 mins of dancing without landing or being hit would’ve been tough but Ali might’ve come close to it.

Personally, in the 1 rd scenario and for any other similar segments of the match, I wouldn’t score the express efforts of the solely defensive fighter for their own sake - his just reward is not being hit and also perhaps tiring the opponent in pursuit.

It’s a game of hit (also) and not being hit - hitting or trying to hit your opponent lends to compromise and higher risk of being hit.

While impressive, a rd of deliberate not hitting and not being hit would amount to stylistic garnish - and one that rewards itself but isn’t necessarily worthy of scoring in its own right unless perhaps it is viewed as a way of breaking a non scoring dead lock.