Striving to be a conscientiously competent boxing Judge
To be…or not to be…that is the question!
Being a world class boxing judge means possessing integrity, involving doing the right thing, in the right way at the right time.
This is what Hubert Minn, who’s the Chairman of the World Boxing Council’s Ring Officials stressed, at their seminar in Manila. This seminar was a key part of the WBC Asian Summit and third Women’s Convention.
No reading between the lines, because the writing is on the wall. It’s clearly and vitally important for everyone to be on the same page, because three hundred and fifty judges and two hundred referees are affiliated to the WBC. Hubert told the well attended seminar:
“Representing Boxing and justice is what we are here for. This position commands respect and dignity. You have got to make tough decisions for the benefit of the fighters.”
In a hierarchy of intelligence, clearly the best and brightest judges are consciously competent. They know what they’re doing and exactly why. One rung down are the unconsciously competent, who are doing the right thing more instinctively than reasoning about it.
Laddering the stocking, by not knowing their stock in trade, are the unconsciously incompetent, who can’t think their out of a wet paper bag, let alone navigate the complexities, nuances, subtleties and exacting challenges of accurately as well as competently judging a boxing match.
Prior to fight night most top judges have a careful routine which involves placid calmness and reflection, leading to focus. Eating a good meal, resting reading, stabilizing the mind and mentality readying for the responsibility of the task ahead.
Being in command of your chair at the event, and avoiding getting confrontational with anyone, by getting the Supervisor to move any obscuring hindrance out of the way.
The principal criteria for scoring involves the factors of damage, domination and disruption. The first being measured by power, number of punches landed and their accuracy. While domination involves effective aggression, moving forward and controlling the action. Then there’s disruption, which is to do with influencing behavior and performance of your opponent.
The scoring system of ten for the winner of the round to nine, is not hard and fast. A knockdown could make it a ten eight round. Yet there are other variations are possible. Especially If the fighter knocked down was totally dominating the action up to that instant.
A judge must set the standard for the fight throughout and concentration is paramount. The responsibility is considerable because fighters work all their lives to try and get to the top. Their daily bread depends on judges: “Using their loaf.”
test