WBC renews support for open scoring to strengthen boxing clarity
The WBC has restated its backing for open scoring, with judges’ cards revealed during bouts to improve clarity, accountability and fairness.
The World Boxing Council has reaffirmed its support for open scoring as a central part of fairness and transparency in professional boxing. The system allows judges’ cards to be made public during a bout rather than keeping them hidden until the final bell.
In WBC-sanctioned contests, the scores are generally announced after the fourth and eighth rounds. That gives fighters, their corner teams, fans and the media an indication of how the judges are assessing the action while the fight is still in progress.
The timing is different in special competitions such as the WBC Grand Prix. In those tournaments, the scorecards are disclosed after the second and fourth rounds. The arrangement provides earlier information during the shorter scoring intervals used for the event.
The WBC has been developing and using open scoring for several years. Its stated purpose is to bring greater clarity and accountability to judging, giving those involved in a contest a clearer understanding of the official cards before the result is confirmed.
The policy has generated continuing debate among boxing organisations and commissions around the world. The WBC nevertheless maintains that revealing the scores supports justice inside the ring and says it has seen more commissions and organisations adopt the practice over time.
Source: WBC
