Should judges be at ringside or behind a screen?

Morning Chaps

What is your opinion on the position of judges during fights? Do you think they would be best placed at ringside or behind a screen?

During an episode of ESPN Friday Night Fights a few months ago - they showed the same punch between 2 fighters from the perspective of the 3 judges (all 3 angles). They were all quite contrasting to each other. One judge saw the punch, another saw a scuffed punch and the third couldn't see it at all.

Now I personally believe that seeing the fight from behind the screen is better that seeing it from an angle potentially hidden from you due to your seating position. Due to the sheer number of camera's at ringside you are always going to see every punch at all times - surely this is better?

I suppose there is a risk of judges behind closed doors being a bit murky but surely this can be countered with invigilators from sanctioning bodies or the boxing board etc.

What are you thoughts?

Good idea. Let them have monitors in a booth. Somehow they'd still botch it up I reckon.

Could work unless they are only shown what HBO wants them to see.

Well it should be the same stream we see at home - so they should be able to see everything. Surely it will reduce a significant number of errors?

Wouldn't make a difference. It doesn't matter where you sit at a live fight, you know who is winning if it is obvious.

It isn't as if the 2 fighters are standing in the exact same spot for the whole fight. They move around constantly and the judges will always see who is throwing more, countering more, doing the better work etc.

We can't see into the minds of most judges so its impossible to say whether they prefer a certain fighters style/personality before the bell even rings. So the fighter they don't care as much for will not get the attention of them because they could be watching the other guy's work.

As mentioned, there would still be outrageous decisions regardless due to the promoters waving carrots in their faces to help their fighters.

not a bad idea and know what you mean about judges not seeing key moments but i guess it'll always be that way.

It would be good for the judges to somehow not be exposed to the spectator noise i.e. avoid being influenced by a home fighters biased fans.

Also i would love to see more 10-10 rounds given. Many times there are very even rounds and then at this point it's easy to award it to your favorite of the two by slim margins.

bellchees wrote:Could work unless they are only shown what HBO wants them to see.

I dont understand how this is possible?

I think he means in regards to replays etc

Even if replays weren't part of the footage available - surely every judge seeing exactly the same thing is a good thing?

But then how do we know that all 3 judges won't miss certain punches (as suggested in he OP) due to all 3 of them looking at the wrong angle on a screen?

The screen could show a fighter on the ropes and the camara could miss work going on inside, whereas at least 2 judges should be able to get a view of this.

Consistency? Not perfect I know - but it would be a step in the right direction. Besides it's very difficult to miss a punch on camera.

Three judges with three different viewpoints often give three different scores, so effectively at least two judges must be scoring the fight incorrectly.

If the judges are looking at the same thing on a screen, why have three judges at all, surely one would do?

Or why not do away with them altogether and just have the referee score the fight? He does, of course, have the best view in the house.

Suppose being impartial may be the answer to that Union. Having 3 people might help in this case.

Behind a screen........

We had a show in the US which came over here called blind date!!!

Where a chick asks questions and then finds out she's picked the ugly moron out of the three contestants to party with!!

Maybe after a Boxer loses a decision he can get three questions and then end up guessing which of the Judges behind the screen shafted him the most on the cards!!!

so he can have a good kicking!!

Could catch on I'm telling you!!

Haha! Like it Truss!