How does a judge score a bout in Amateur boxing?

Each week on the website we want to answer your questions. Our goal is to take one question a week and give you the USA rule and an interpretation. This will help Officials, Coaches, Boxers, and Fans stay educated and will give all us the ability to enjoy amateur boxing. One of the biggest questions we are asked is “How does a judge score a bout?”

USA Boxing Official rulebook says 107.6 section 2 paragraph C says,

“The number of legal scoring blows will be counted with the use of a tally counter or similar counting device. Two counting devices will be used. One device will count the scoring blows for the Red corner and the other device will count the scoring blows for the Blue corner. He number of legal scoring blows awarded to each boxer will be recorded on the scorecard at the end of each round. In addition, any warnings shall be entered by the judge on the scorecard immediately after the end of the round as indicated by Rule 107.7 (1)(b)(c).
107.7 (a) Scoring blows. During each round, a judge shall assess the respective scores of each boxer according to the number of blows obtained by each. Each blow to have scoring value must, without being blocked or guarded, land directly with the knuckle part of the closed glove of either hand on any part of the front or sides of the head or body above the belt. Blows landing as above described are scoring hits. The value of blows scored in a rally of infighting shall be assessed at the end of such rally and shall be credited to the boxer who has had the better of the exchanges according to the degree of said boxer’s superiority. “

Our judges are looking for these scoring blows. The scoring area is the front of the body and the head. Anything past the ears or arms toward the boxers back is not counted. Body shots and headshots are scored equally. A judge can only score what he or she sees. Therefore clean effective punching is important.

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How does a Standing 8 count affect my boxer's score?

This question is asked frequently and seems to be the center of much controversy. I think it is important to address the effects of a standing eight count. The standing 8 count does NOT affect the scoring of the bout. If a boxer B knocks down boxer A, they only scoring that is counted is the blow that was landed by boxer B, nothing additional. USA Boxing rulebook states:

“107.5(13) The count. In the case of an 8-count, the referee shall immediately give the command “stop” and signal the other boxer to the neutral corner. In the situation where the boxer is knocked down the referee will pick up the count from the timekeeper. On a standing 8-count the referee shall initiate the count. The referee shall count aloud from one to ten with intervals of a second between the numbers, and shall indicate each second with the hand in such a manner that the boxer who has been knocked down may be aware of the count. Before the number ”one” is counted, an interval of one second must have elapsed. The timekeeper will start the clock with the referee’s count of “one” for the clock runs during a count. If the downed boxer’s opponent does not go to the neutral corner on the command of the referee, the referee shall stop counting until said opponent has done so. The counting shall be then continued from where it was interrupted.”

The referee must at all times ensure the safety of the boxers. Therefore, the standing 8 Count is designed to give the referee time to evaluate the status and/or condition of a boxer. If the referee believes a boxer is receiving or has received unnecessary punishment, or feels the boxer is incapable of defending him or herself, the referee may stop the bout to evaluate either boxer. If in the opinion of the referee, the boxer is prepared to box before the count of 8 is reached, the referee must continue the count until 8 is reached. On the count of 8, the referee will make one of the following three decisions: (1.) continue the bout, (2.) terminate the bout, or (3.) continue the count. If the referee decides to resume the bout, there will be no point deduction or gain. During a bout, the ringside physician may be asked to evaluate a boxer. Both the ringside physician and the referee may terminate a bout. The decision do give a boxer an "8" count does not influence the scoring by the judges. For example, red corner boxer could be knocked down multiple times, but land more scoring punches and win the bout. Scoring blows count the same in amateur boxing. Thus, the boxer who scores the most points wins the bout.

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