Controversial Decisions in Boxing History

Author:
SI Staff
Publish date:
Jun 11, 2012

Controversial Decisions in Boxing History

Timothy Bradley win over Manny Pacquiao by split decision

Pacquiao connected on 253 of 751 punches (34 percent), compared to 159 of 839 (19 percent) for Bradley, and outlanded the challenger in 10 of the 12 rounds. But judges Duane Ford and C.J. Ross both scored it 115-113 to Bradley, while Jerry Roth had it 115-113 to Pacquiao. The loss was Pacquiao's first in nearly eight years.

Oscar De La Hoya win over Felix Sturm by unanimous decision

De La Hoya became the first boxer in history to win titles in six different divisions -- a record later bested by Pacquiao -- when he outpointed Sturm, who held the WBO middleweight title. All three judges scored it 115-113 to De La Hoya, even though he'd connected on just 188 of 792 punches (14.9 percent) compared to 234 of 541 (43.3 percent) for Sturm.

Felix Trinidad win over Oscar De La Hoya by majority decision

De La Hoya dominated the early rounds when he met Trinidad in a WBC/IBF welterweight unification fight between two undefeated fighters. Sitting on what he (and many) thought was an insurmountable lead, De La Hoya was content to simply rely on defense for the last three rounds. De La Hoya even thought he was victorious (inset) before the decision was announced. The decision sparked a major controversy and calls for a rematch, which never happened.

Evander Holyfield draw with Lennox Lewis

Lewis owned the WBC heavyweight title, while Holyfield held the WBA and IBF belts, but the much-anticipated title fight between the two men unified nothing when the judges returned a draw. Judge Eugenia Williams somehow scored the fight in favor of Holyfield, even though he landed 130 punches compared to a staggering 348 for Lewis. (Lewis won the rematch convincingly.)

Shannon Briggs win over George Foreman by majority decision

The 48-year-old Foreman still held the lineal heavyweight championship when he lost a majority decision to Briggs which prompted thunderous boos and curses from the crowd. "I'm not going to cry like a baby," said Foreman, who announced his retirement after the verdict came down.

Julio Cesar Chavez draw with Pernell Whitaker

After a division-record 20 defenses of the light welterweight title, Chavez moved up to challenge for Whitaker's WBC welterweight championship. Two of the three judges saw an even fight, though most ringside observes (including Sports Illustrated ) gave Whitaker no less than nine of the 12 rounds.

Sugar Ray Leonard draw with Thomas Hearns

Leonard defended his super middleweight title against Hearns in a fight that not many cared about besides the fighters themselves. Although Hearns twice floored Leonard in a rematch eight years in the making, the judges scored it a draw.

Park Si-Hun win over Roy Jones Jr. by split decision

There have been many controversial decisions in the Olympics through the years, but few worse than what Jones experienced. The 19-year-old American landed 86 punches to Park's 32 when they met in the gold-medal match and forced a standing eight count in the second round, but somehow lost the fight 3-2 when it went to a decision. Years later, Jones was awarded the Olympic Order, which is given to individuals for a particularly distinguished contribution, though it's rarely given to active athletes.

Joe Louis win over Jersey Joe Walcott by split decision

The 33-year-old Walcott was a 10-to-1 underdog when he faced Louis at Madison Square Garden for the heavyweight title. Although he floored Louis twice in the first four rounds and dominated the action throughout, Walcott came out on the wrong side of a split decision that left the crowd up in arms.