The 10-Point Must System

The modern boxing scoring system, also known as the 10 Point Must System, was first introduced in 1968 by the World Boxing Council (WBC) as a rational way of scoring fights. To summarize briefly, here is how it works:

1. The scoring is carried out by three ringside judges.
2. The boxers begin a round with 10 points each - the judges ‘must’ award them 10-10.
3. The boxer who receives the most clean punches loses a point, and the judges score the round 10-9.
4. If the boxer is knocked down, they lose an additional point - the judges score it 10-8.
5. If the boxer is knocked down a second time, they lose an additional point - the judges score it 10-7.
6. If a boxer dominates the round but also gets knocked down, the judges score it 9-9.
7. If a boxer completely dominates a round, the judges may score it 10-8, even without a knockdown.
8. If both fighters score a knockdown in the same round, the deductions cancel each other out, though the judges may still award the more dominant boxer 10-9.
9. If the referee deducts a point, this is calculated after the initial score - even if the boxer wins the round.
10. If the boxers are evenly matched for the round, the judges score it 10-10.

At the end of 12-rounds, assuming the fight has gone the distance, the tallies of all three judges are added up to determine three final scores.

For example, if Boxer A won eight rounds and lost four, they get eight scores of 10 and four of 9 making 116 (80 + 36). If Boxer B won four rounds and lost eight, they get four scores of 10 and eight of 9 making 112 (40 + 72).

The final result may be one of the following:

Unanimous Decision Win

• Judge 1: Boxer A
• Judge 2: Boxer A
• Judge 3: Boxer A

Split Decision Win

• Judge 1: Boxer A
• Judge 2: Boxer A
• Judge 3: Boxer B

Majority Decision Win

• Judge 1: Boxer A
• Judge 2: Boxer A
• Judge 3: Draw

Draw by Unanimous Decision

• Judge 1: Draw
• Judge 2: Draw
• Judge 3: Draw

Majority Draw

• Judge 1: Draw
• Judge 2: Draw
• Judge 3: Boxer A (or Boxer B)

Split Decision Draw

• Judge 1: Boxer A
• Judge 2: Boxer B
• Judge 3: Draw

Some state athletic commissions in the USA employ a three knockdown rule, meaning that a fighter will be declared to have been knocked out if he is knocked down for a third time in a round. However, the four major global commissions (WBC, WBA, IBF and WBO) do not apply this rule.

References

Dillon, J., 2018. How Boxing Judges Score a Fight. [online] Standard.co.uk. Available at: <https://www.standard.co.uk/sport/boxing/boxing-points-system-explained-how-judges-score-a-fight-a4011641.html> [Accessed 4 February 2022].

Happe, L., 2021. How is Boxing Scored? Points, Rules, Scores and Deductions Used by Judges and Referees | DAZN News US. [online] DAZN. Available at: <https://www.dazn.com/en-US/news/boxing/how-is-boxing-scored-points-rules-scores-and-deductions-used-by-judges-and-referees/zncunu9sov881vkqqvvqlsu67#:~:text=The%20modern%20boxing%20scoring%20system,10%2DPoint%20Must%20System'.&text=Most%20rounds%20are%20scored%2010,that%20fighter%20loses%20a%20point.> [Accessed 4 February 2022].

Kaczmarek, T., 1996. You Be The Boxing Judge! Judging Professional Boxing for the TV Boxing Fan. Pittsburgh: Dorrance Pub. Co.