Technical decision
Encyclopedia
A technical decision is a term used in boxing
when a fight has to be stopped because of a headbutt.
In boxing fights, referees have to pay deep attention to the action going on between the fighters, especially when the two combatants are fighting close to each other. This is because, in the case of a cut, the referee must decide whether the cut was caused by a punch or by a head collision. Only the referee can make that decision.
Most head collisions in boxing are probably unintentional, especially when both boxers are trying for a knockout
, many times getting involved in close range fights. If a boxer intentionally butts an opponent's head, this is considered a flagrant foul that could result in disqualification of the offender.
In the case of a cut to the head, it is the referee's responsibility of taking the injured boxer to a medical doctor
seated at ringside as many times as the referee thinks necessary, regardless of the referee's decision of the cut being provoked by a punch or not. When the doctor tells the referee that the combatant cannot go on, then the referee must stop the fight. If the referee decided that the cut was caused by a punch, then the other boxer wins by technical knockout. If the referee decides it was produced by a collision, then the judges at ringside must hand over their scorecards, and the fighter ahead on points wins by technical decision.
But there are distinct rules for a fight to be decided on a technical decision as well, because fights must go beyond the fourth round for any fighter to be declared a winner by technical decision. Some federations require the fight to be in the fourth round, while other federations and most championship fights require the fight to be at minimum past the halfway point (five rounds for a 10-round match, and six rounds for a 12-round match). If a fight has to be stopped because of a headbutt without reaching the required distance, these are automatically declared a technical draw
. Generally, every country where boxing is practiced accepts the four round must or halfway distance as the right distance for a fight to be won or lost by technical decisions.
A unique case happened between world champions Daniel Santos
and Antonio Margarito
: their two fights ended in technical decisions, which is very rare in boxing. Their first bout was declared a draw, as it had gone only one minute before being stopped, and Santos won by a ten round split technical decision in their rematch.
One of the most controversial technical decisions in boxing history occurred in March 1994, when Julio César Chávez
regained the WBC
world Jr. Welterweight title over his previous conqueror, Frankie Randall
: Large percentages of both members of the media and the Pay Per View public had Randall ahead by a substantial amount when the fight was stopped in the eighth round due to a cut on Chávez's head, but the judges viewed the fight otherwise, giving the fight to Chávez by a split technical decision. Boxing magazines such as The Ring
and KO
criticized the judges, particularly judge Ray Solis, for scoring the fight for Chávez.
Boxing
Boxing, also called pugilism, is a combat sport in which two people fight each other using their fists. Boxing is supervised by a referee over a series of between one to three minute intervals called rounds...
when a fight has to be stopped because of a headbutt.
In boxing fights, referees have to pay deep attention to the action going on between the fighters, especially when the two combatants are fighting close to each other. This is because, in the case of a cut, the referee must decide whether the cut was caused by a punch or by a head collision. Only the referee can make that decision.
Most head collisions in boxing are probably unintentional, especially when both boxers are trying for a knockout
Knockout
A knockout is a fight-ending, winning criterion in several full-contact combat sports, such as boxing, kickboxing, Muay Thai, mixed martial arts, Karate and others sports involving striking...
, many times getting involved in close range fights. If a boxer intentionally butts an opponent's head, this is considered a flagrant foul that could result in disqualification of the offender.
In the case of a cut to the head, it is the referee's responsibility of taking the injured boxer to a medical doctor
Medicine
Medicine is the science and art of healing. It encompasses a variety of health care practices evolved to maintain and restore health by the prevention and treatment of illness....
seated at ringside as many times as the referee thinks necessary, regardless of the referee's decision of the cut being provoked by a punch or not. When the doctor tells the referee that the combatant cannot go on, then the referee must stop the fight. If the referee decided that the cut was caused by a punch, then the other boxer wins by technical knockout. If the referee decides it was produced by a collision, then the judges at ringside must hand over their scorecards, and the fighter ahead on points wins by technical decision.
But there are distinct rules for a fight to be decided on a technical decision as well, because fights must go beyond the fourth round for any fighter to be declared a winner by technical decision. Some federations require the fight to be in the fourth round, while other federations and most championship fights require the fight to be at minimum past the halfway point (five rounds for a 10-round match, and six rounds for a 12-round match). If a fight has to be stopped because of a headbutt without reaching the required distance, these are automatically declared a technical draw
Technical draw
A technical draw is a term used in boxing when a fight has to be stopped because a fighter is unable to continue from an accidental injury or foul.Draws occur when the bout goes to the scorecards, and the officials can't determine a winner...
. Generally, every country where boxing is practiced accepts the four round must or halfway distance as the right distance for a fight to be won or lost by technical decisions.
A unique case happened between world champions Daniel Santos
Daniel Santos (boxer)
Daniel Santos is a Puerto Rican professional boxer. As an amateur Santos represented Puerto Rico in international events, including the 1990 and 1992 Junior World Championships, Pan American Boxing Tournament, Goodwill Games, 1995 Pan American Games and the 1996 Summer Olympics, where he won a...
and Antonio Margarito
Antonio Margarito
Antonio Margarito Montiel is a Mexican professional boxer. He is a former WBA, WBO, & IBF welterweight champion...
: their two fights ended in technical decisions, which is very rare in boxing. Their first bout was declared a draw, as it had gone only one minute before being stopped, and Santos won by a ten round split technical decision in their rematch.
One of the most controversial technical decisions in boxing history occurred in March 1994, when Julio César Chávez
Julio César Chávez
Julio César Chávez is a retired Mexican professional boxer.He is a six-time world champion in three weight divisions, and for several years he was considered the best pound-for-pound boxer in the world...
regained the WBC
World Boxing Council
The World Boxing Council was initially established by 11 countries: the United States, Argentina, United Kingdom, France, Mexico, Philippines, Panama, Chile, Peru, Venezuela and Brazil plus Puerto Rico, met in Mexico City on February 14, 1963, upon invitation of the then President of Mexico, Adolfo...
world Jr. Welterweight title over his previous conqueror, Frankie Randall
Frankie Randall
-External links:...
: Large percentages of both members of the media and the Pay Per View public had Randall ahead by a substantial amount when the fight was stopped in the eighth round due to a cut on Chávez's head, but the judges viewed the fight otherwise, giving the fight to Chávez by a split technical decision. Boxing magazines such as The Ring
The Ring (magazine)
The Ring is an American boxing magazine that was first published in 1922 as a boxing and wrestling magazine. As the sporting legitimacy of professional wrestling came more into question, The Ring shifted to becoming exclusively a boxing oriented publication...
and KO
KO Magazine
KO Magazine is a popular United States boxing magazine. It was first published in 1979, to compete with The Ring.During the 1980s, KO Magazine, nicknamed "The knockout boxing magazine", ran some popular features, such as a round-by-round section where the most important fights were described punch...
criticized the judges, particularly judge Ray Solis, for scoring the fight for Chávez.