Today we go through some of the worst decisions in boxing history. We are only human and due to the nature of boxing it’s not clear cut all the time. However, these ones were. Judges have been known to be bribed in the past, is it time to change things?
Campbell Hatton vs. Sonni Martinez
One of the lesser know and recent worst decisions in boxing history.
Son of the great Ricky Hatton; Campbell met journeyman Sonni Martinez on the on AJ vs Usyk undercard. He was absolutely outclassed by the Spaniard and many believe (including me) he didn’t win one single round. Luckily for him referee Marcus McDonnell’s gifted Campbell a points decision. After Hatton was declared the winner fans cry ‘robbery’
Betting company Paddy Power felt so strongly against the decision they issued refunds on any bets made on Martinez.
GGG vs. Canelo (1)
The result of this fight being a draw was slightly controversial but not one of the worst decisions in boxing. It was Byrd’s scorecard at 118-110 which caused outrage in the boxing community. Most fighters, trainers and pundits had GGG winning by a narrow margin. Compubox showed GGG out landing Canelo 218-169. Byrd was investigated but nothing came from it. It hasn’t not been her first controversial decision and it probably, unfortunately wont be her last either.
Nikolai Valuev vs. Evander Holyfield
A freak show in many peoples eyes and nobody seemed to care much about it. Just another tomato can for Holyfield. However for Valuev he would get his Christmas gift delivered early by the judges in Switzerland. Nobody is arguing that Holyfield was a shell of his former self at this time. He did more than enough to win, Valuev did virtually nothing. Somehow though he to achieve a MD. Many media outlets scored the bout for Holyfield, including Sports Illustrated who had Evander 118-110 and gave him 10 of the 12 rounds.
Pacquiao vs. Bradley (1)
June 9, 2012, Pacquiao stepped into the ring with relatively unknown at the time Bradley. Some boxing analysts thought he stood a chance at an upset. according to some boxing analysts. Compubox had Pacquiao out landing Bradley in 10 of the 12 rounds. The total punch stats had Pacquiao landing nearly 100 more punches than Bradley. It was even clear to Bradley that he had not one using the words “I have to watch the tape” defense to quiet questions about an undeserved win. Fighters and sport personality’s alike made their voices heard online against the decision. Pacquiao was handed his first defeat in over 7 years. Truly one of the worst decisions in boxing history.
Lennox Lewis D12 Evander Holyfield
Lewis and Evander met for the undisputed heavyweight championship in 1999 at MSG. The whole world was watching. Unfortunately for all those watching the fight did not meet expectations. Lewis jabbed Holyfield’s head off for the full 12 rounds. Holyfield could not figure out how to get on the inside and put in the work. By the end of the fight Lewis had landed 348 to Holyfield’s 130.
Everyone in that stadium and watching at home could see Lewis as the winner, but that wasn’t the case. The fight was declared a majority draw with only one judge giving Lewis the win. Judge Larry O’Connell also invented a 115-115 scorecard which isn’t physically possible. 8 months later Lewis avenged the decision in Las Vegas.
Park Si-Hun vs. Roy Jones Jr.
This is one of the biggest robberies in the sport of boxing. Many fans know Jones Jr. for his extraordinary career. He managed to win world titles in 4 weight divisions. He was also known as the undisputed pound-for-pound king for many years. However, you wouldn’t have thought that given his start to the sport. In 1988 Jones was representing the U.S. Olympic team and was dominating the tournament. He had not lost a round up until the final where he met Park Si-Hun. Jones out landed his opponent by an absurd amount. (86-32)
Unfortunately for Jones the judges didn’t see the same fight everyone else saw. They had him loosing 3-2. This awful judging came under fire from the International Olympic Committee. They spent years investigating. They later found out that the judges who voted for the Korean fighter have been wined and dined by the Korean Olympic organizers. Still to this day Jones has not been awarded the gold medal he truly deserved. Clearly one of the worst decisions in boxing history. Read more about this here
Josh Taylor vs Jack Catterall
This fight was initially due to be scheduled way back in 2019. Due to title changes and injuries eventually the two met on 26th February. Jack Catterall the challenger showed the world how much he wanted this. He was racking up and early lead arguably winning all of the first 6 rounds. Taylor had some success in the 7th but nothing of note. In the 8th Catterall landed a short left which put Josh Taylor down.
This was it. Everyone in the stadium and everyone at home thought as long as Jack Catterall survives the next few rounds he had won. Taylor fought well for the rest of the fight and Catterall was also docked a point in the 10th but at this point everyone watching had Catterall up 4 rounds.
And the new .. example of a robbery.
The punch stats shows Jack Catterall out landing Josh Taylor in 11 out of 12 rounds! Scored a knockdown! And still didn’t win!
BOXXER promoter Ben Shalom admitted he thought Catterall was robbed. He told TalkSPORT “I’ve watched these decisions as a fan and to be part of it is sickening. It was an amazing night.” When the promoter of the event calls robbery you have to admit this is without a doubt one of the worst decisions in boxing history.
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