Section 6: Scoring
10-Point Must System
All WBO championship bouts are scored using the 10-Point Must System:
- The winner of each round receives ten (10) points, and the loser receives nine (9) or fewer points.
- In an even round where neither contestant has a clear advantage, the round shall be scored 10-10. However, such scores should be rare, and judges are encouraged to find a winner in each round where possible.
- A round in which one contestant scores a knockdown shall be scored 10-8 in favor of the contestant who scored the knockdown.
- A round in which one contestant scores two knockdowns shall be scored 10-7 in favor of the contestant who scored the knockdowns.
- A round in which a contestant completely dominates without a knockdown may also be scored 10-8 at the judge's discretion.
Judging Criteria
Judges shall evaluate each round based on the following criteria, listed in order of priority:
- Clean punching: Effective punches landed on the scoring area (front and sides of the head, and the body above the belt line). Quality of punches takes precedence over quantity.
- Effective aggressiveness: Pressing the action while landing meaningful punches. Moving forward without landing effective punches does not constitute effective aggressiveness.
- Ring generalship: Control of the pace, tempo, and positioning in the ring. The ability to dictate the terms of engagement and execute a fight plan effectively.
- Defense: The ability to avoid punches through footwork, head movement, blocking, and parrying. Superior defensive skill may serve as a tiebreaker when other criteria are equal.
Decisions
- Unanimous Decision: All three judges score the bout in favor of the same contestant.
- Split Decision: Two judges score the bout for one contestant, and one judge scores it for the other.
- Majority Decision: Two judges score the bout for one contestant, and one judge scores it a draw.
- Unanimous Draw: All three judges score the bout as a draw.
- Split Draw: One judge scores for Contestant A, one judge scores for Contestant B, and one judge scores a draw.
- Majority Draw: Two judges score the bout as a draw, and one judge scores for a contestant.
Cut-Related Decisions
- If a bout is stopped due to an accidental cut before the completion of four (4) rounds, the bout shall be declared a "No Decision" or a technical draw, and the championship status remains unchanged.
- If a bout is stopped due to an accidental cut after the completion of four (4) rounds, the bout shall be decided by a technical decision based on the scorecards at the time of the stoppage.
- If a bout is stopped due to a cut caused by an intentional foul, the fouling contestant shall lose by disqualification, or the injured contestant shall win by technical decision if the bout has progressed past four completed rounds.