Effectiveness and Cuts

[marbleheadmaui]

This is a concept that seems to be lost in the obsession with punch-stat numbers. In my opinion, amateur boxing should be reserved for punch counting- if there must be punch counting, which I don't believe, and pro judges should evaluate the effect of the blows. They sit right at the ring apron, for heaven's sake, and it ain't that hard to tell who is landing the better shots.
Today the emphasis seems to be on the numbers, be they slapping, cuffing blows or not.

GREAT post!

[Jimanuel Boogustus]

What's that saying? Arturo Gatti wakes up with a swollen eye?

I think facial damage should only have minimal consideration. To be honest, I'd never really given it a though buy I think for now I'm happy with the idea that any swelling/ cuts caused will probably lead to increased quality of effective punching anyway.

[Howlin Mad Missy]

same old same old. Are 50 clean landed jabs cancelled out by one hard hook? IMO no.

It's your interpretation that effective means damage. The aim is to hit and not be hit.

If I see a guy relying on a jab to control the fight, keep the other guy off and at distance. That's effective punching in my book.

[greynotsoold]

Agreed, the object is to hit and not be hit, and if one guy is being kept off balance and ineffective by a jab, then that is effective punching. But how about a fight like Chavez-Taylor I?
I had Chavez winning the fight going into the 12th, thought the kd secured it for him, because, while Taylor fought his heart out and landed many fast arm punches, Chavez was landing the effective punches and was clearly winning the fight, if not, in many cases, the scorecards.
There really must be some reward for damaging blows over irritating punches.

[Howlin Mad Missy]

Howdy. I'd have to re-watch with a view to judging it on the cards. Although it remains controversial because it appears most had Chavez losing if not for the late round stoppage.