Olympic boxing

[pilight]

Was This Disgraceful Olympic Boxing Match Fixed?

Japan's Satoshi Shimizu knocked down Azerbaijan's Magomed Abdulhamidov five times in the third and final round of their bantamweight bout yesterday. And yet, the judges scored the round in favor of the one who spent more time on the canvas than on his feet.

[IceTea]

Originally Posted by pilight

Was This Disgraceful Olympic Boxing Match Fixed?

When in doubt, knock them out.

[bear]

I've always found Olympic Boxing judging to, at the very least, border on hinky. This is the first time in my life I've not concentrated on watching the fights. I've only seen one bout this year. I may check things out on line, but don't feel compelled to do so like I was in 2012. I've just become more cynical about the Olympics.

This 2012 Olympic bout resulted in the The International Boxing Association (AIBA) expelling referee Ishanguly Meretnyyazov of Turkmenistan. It is also one of the primary reasons for my lack of interest this year. (I'm still tempted to create, for use in my uni's the worst imaginable referee to create possible controversies. If I do so, I'll use this guys name.)

[hamed2]

Isn't part of the problem that a KD in Olympic scoring counts the same as just another punch?

That sounds crazy but BJ Flores said that in one of the fights I saw this week.

[Cap]

I have to say because of all the drug-cheating, known or undiscovered, I have zero interest in these Chemical Games. They should restrict it to all under 16 but even then some countries would find political value in doping.

Cap

[bear]

Originally Posted by hamed2

Isn't part of the problem that a KD in Olympic scoring counts the same as just another punch?

That sounds crazy but BJ Flores said that in one of the fights I saw this week.

That is the case. The effect of power punches is not given consideration. It's one of the reasons I find watching amateur boxing to be less enjoyable these days. Its funny. There once was a time when there was no divorce between the officiating of amateur and professional boxing. Some years ago I was doing some research that entailed reading sports sections of 1930's newspapers. Amateur boxing got plenty of coverage back then. What was interesting in reading the coverage was that the same officials, judges and refs worked on both sides of the street. They officiated pro bouts, Golden Gloves, CYO, and PAL fights. There was no chasm between pros and amateurs. This made it a lot easier for boxers to make the transition from Simon Pures to pros much easier.

[bear]

Originally Posted by Cap

I have to say because of all the drug-cheating, known or undiscovered, I have zero interest in these Chemical Games. They should restrict it to all under 16 but even then some countries would find political value in doping.

Cap

My problem is with the politicizing of the games. Nationalism runs rampant with success measured by the medal count. This spawned usage of chemicals and other forms of cheating. The hypocrisy of the IOC dates back to the Hitler Games. (Our PBS stations aired a program on the Hitler games just before Rio's kickoff and it left a real bad taste in my mouth.) When I was a kid the Olympics were idealized by me. I ran track and cross country and competing in the games represented an ultimate achievement. I also may have watched the Bill Travers film, Wee Geordie, a few dozen times too many, to not have been stirred by the games. But this youthful naivety has given way to cynicism.

[pisdpaul]

it's my understanding 3-4 judges have been dismissed after a review of their scoring... not a good advert for boxing on such a wide reaching stage... Boxing really grew in popularity here after the 2012 games, I wander what effect this might have... hmmm....

[IceTea]

It's my opinion that in the United States, boxing is getting out worked by MMA. I've been to several MMA events, and the crowd is young and enthusiastic.

[bear]

Originally Posted by pisdpaul

it's my understanding 3-4 judges have been dismissed after a review of their scoring... not a good advert for boxing on such a wide reaching stage... Boxing really grew in popularity here after the 2012 games, I wander what effect this might have... hmmm....

Officials were dismissed in 2012. Corrupt officiating and Olympic boxing seems to be an active partnership for some time now. Just ask Roy Jones Jr.

[hamed2]

Originally Posted by IceTea

It's my opinion that in the United States, boxing is getting out worked by MMA. I've been to several MMA events, and the crowd is young and enthusiastic.

I believe that & in general, they like almost any fight too, they like their stars but just seeing people fight seems most important to them.

In general, boxing fans are more particular, they will watch specific fighters more so than just 2 people they don't know box.

[hamed2]

Originally Posted by bear

That is the case. The effect of power punches is not given consideration. It's one of the reasons I find watching amateur boxing to be less enjoyable these days. Its funny. There once was a time when there was no divorce between the officiating of amateur and professional boxing. Some years ago I was doing some research that entailed reading sports sections of 1930's newspapers. Amateur boxing got plenty of coverage back then. What was interesting in reading the coverage was that the same officials, judges and refs worked on both sides of the street. They officiated pro bouts, Golden Gloves, CYO, and PAL fights. There was no chasm between pros and amateurs. This made it a lot easier for boxers to make the transition from Simon Pures to pros much easier.

Interesting, I'd never heard that about judges before.

[bear]

Originally Posted by hamed2

Interesting, I'd never heard that about judges before.

I was reading Chicago newspapers so i know it occurred here. I'm assuming it happened elsewhere as well. What shocked me was the amount of coverage given to amateur fights in the papers. Golden Gloves coverage didn't surprise me given given Arch Ward's association with the Chicago Tribune, but CYO fights were also covered.

[bear]

Originally Posted by hamed2

I believe that & in general, they like almost any fight too, they like their stars but just seeing people fight seems most important to them.

In general, boxing fans are more particular, they will watch specific fighters more so than just 2 people they don't know box.

I watch all the boxing I can find including Spanish language broadcasts. This extends to any TV shows or movies that have a boxing themed episode.

[pilight]

Claressa Shields repeats her Gold Medal performance at middleweight. She is the only American to win a gold medal in boxing in these games.

[hamed2]

Originally Posted by bear

I watch all the boxing I can find including Spanish language broadcasts. This extends to any TV shows or movies that have a boxing themed episode.

You're unique in a good way bear - besides how many people rate fighters like you & a select few do here?

[bear]

Originally Posted by hamed2

You're unique in a good way bear - besides how many people rate fighters like you & a select few do here?

Even found a new Spanish station that did 5 bouts from The Belasco Theater last Friday. WESV 396 on my Comcast menu. The telecast crew included some great eye candy as a bonus. Not one, but two attractive women were asking boxers interview questions.

I'm doing a little less DVRing of boxing on Saturday night. Still recording Azteca regularly but only picking up the last half hour of Boxeo Telemundo. I've become conflicted. A local PBS station is rerunning old Dr. Who episodes with Tom Baker and I'm compelled to DVR them.

[bear]

Originally Posted by pilight

Claressa Shields repeats her Gold Medal performance at middleweight. She is the only American to win a gold medal in boxing in these games.

The reason she is the first two-time US boxing gold medalist is that, in the past, guys who won gold used the medal win to jump start pro careers.

[hamed2]

Originally Posted by bear

Even found a new Spanish station that did 5 bouts from The Belasco Theater last Friday. WESV 396 on my Comcast menu. The telecast crew included some great eye candy as a bonus. Not one, but two attractive women were asking boxers interview questions.

I'm doing a little less DVRing of boxing on Saturday night. Still recording Azteca regularly but only picking up the last half hour of Boxeo Telemundo. I've become conflicted. A local PBS station is rerunning old Dr. Who episodes with Tom Baker and I'm compelled to DVR them.

You are on top of it - no wonder these ratings are so solid!

And know what you mean about those stations & the women they put on camera - their weather women/girls are out of this world!

[IceTea]

Originally Posted by bear

The reason she is the first two-time US boxing gold medalist is that, in the past, guys who won gold used the medal win to jump start pro careers.

Bear isn't wrong. I follow women's boxing as closely as anyone and with Mikaela Lauren (WBC super-welterweight champ) dropping to welterweight; there are about five competent fighters scaling over 154 pounds. Shields, if she turned, could legitimately fight for an alphabet world title and be the favorite in her professional debut. Unless someone frontloads her a pile of money, she should stay amateur and collect the USA boxing stipend and have someone lobby on her behalf for endorsements.