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Boxing

Is Jake Paul’s idea to change scoring in boxing the right one?

Alexander Netherton
Is Jake Paul’s idea to change scoring in boxing the right one?GettyImages
The YouTube celebrity and pro boxer wants to double the number of judges for each fight.

The DAZN Boxing Show recently considered Jake Paul’s suggestion to overhaul the scoring system in boxing. 

Paul tweeted his idea following the controversy around the Josh Taylor vs. Jack Catterall decision, which saw the undisputed super lightweight champion win on a widely disputed decision.

The YouTuber and professional boxer stated that judges should score in three pairs of two, allowing them to air their disagreements in real time. 

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While both Akin ‘Ak’ Reyes and Barak Bess disagreed with the specifics from Paul, they agreed something needed to be done to reduce the amount of controversial scoring decisions.

“I don’t agree with real-time disagreement, but there should be checks and balances,” Barak said.

Ak meanwhile explained his frustration in having to return to the same subject in boxing without any idea of a solution on the horizon coming from boxing commissions.

“I don’t agree with this particular format that he’s putting it out on Twitter, but I like that he’s raising awareness of it,” he began.

“I’m starting to feel I’m a broken record, for years, we’ve talked about this. We see this type of judging, nothing has changed at all. What are we going to talk about - what needs to be changed in the sport and not change it? I don’t want to hear it at all.

“Major cities that host big fights, pressure needs to be applied to commissions and change the way they judge fights.  I don’t want to talk about it unless real change happens.” 

Barak then put forward some of his own suggestions for changing the current system.

“I think every year there should be re-registering [for judges], making sure you’re still on par. I think there should be instant replay in boxing so some of the knockdowns or slips that weren't knockdowns can be overturned. There should be a committee willing to go against the referees if needs be.”

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