New Delhi: The complex and opaque scoring system in Olympic boxing has once again come under scrutiny following India’s Nishant Dev’s controversial loss to Mexico’s Marco Verde Alvarez in the 71 kg quarter-final. Despite appearing to dominate the bout, Dev lost with a score of 1-4, sparking renewed debates over the fairness and transparency of boxing’s scoring system—a subject that has been contentious with each Olympic Games.

An Uncertain Future for Olympic Boxing

The ongoing controversies surrounding the scoring system could have significant implications for the sport’s inclusion in the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics. As scrutiny intensifies, there is growing concern that the current system could prove detrimental to boxing’s future in the Olympic Games.

Voices of Frustration

Former Indian boxer and 2008 Olympic bronze medallist Vijender Singh expressed his frustration on social media following Dev’s defeat. “I don’t know what’s the scoring system but I think very close fight..he play so well..koi na bhai,” Singh posted on X. This sentiment is shared by many in the boxing community, who feel the scoring system lacks clarity and consistency.

Historical Context of Controversial Decisions

The controversy surrounding Olympic boxing scoring is not a new phenomenon. One of the most notable instances was Michael Conlan’s loss in the 2016 Rio quarter-finals. Conlan, feeling “robbed” after the bout, had a famous expletive-laden tirade against the judges. He turned professional soon after and has remained vocal about the flaws in the amateur scoring system. Commenting on the ongoing Games in Paris, Conlan reiterated his criticism of the system.

Mary Kom’s Disappointment

India’s iconic boxer, MC Mary Kom, also faced a similar situation in the Tokyo 2020 Games. Despite leading in terms of rounds won, she lost her pre-quarterfinal bout against Colombia’s Ingrit Valencia due to the overall scoreline favoring her opponent. Expressing her frustration, Mary Kom stated, “The worst part is that there is no review or protest,” highlighting another critical flaw in the current system.

Decades of Discontent

Controversial decisions in Olympic boxing date back decades. In the 1988 Seoul Olympics, American boxer Roy Jones Jr. was controversially denied a gold medal despite dominating his bout against South Korea’s Park Si-Hun. The outcry from this decision led to the introduction of computer scoring in the 1992 Barcelona Games, intended to reduce human error in judging. However, this system faced criticism for encouraging defensive boxing and limiting the variety of punches.

Introduction of the 10-Point Scoring System

In 2013, the International Boxing Association (AIBA) adopted a professional-style 10-point scoring system. This system introduced subjectivity by considering defensive prowess, ring control, and overall aggression. Criticism of this system resurfaced during the 2016 Rio Olympics when Michael Conlan publicly denounced the judges after his controversial loss.

Revelations of Corruption

An investigation commissioned by AIBA in 2021 revealed a system for manipulating results at the Rio Games, which led to the suspension of 36 judges. The names of these judges were never disclosed, continuing the opacity surrounding the scoring system in Olympic boxing.

Call for Reform

Given these ongoing issues, the future of boxing in the Olympics hangs in the balance. The sport’s stakeholders must address the systemic problems in the scoring process to restore credibility and ensure fair competition. Nishant Dev’s experience in Paris is a stark reminder of the urgent need for transparency and reform in Olympic boxing.

Conclusion

The recent controversy surrounding Nishant Dev’s loss has once again highlighted the critical issues plaguing Olympic boxing’s scoring system. As the sport’s inclusion in future Olympic Games becomes increasingly uncertain, there is an urgent need for stakeholders to implement reforms that will restore credibility and ensure fair play. Without significant changes, boxing risks being sidelined from the Olympics, a fate that would be a significant loss for athletes and fans alike.