I think it is appropriate to look at the scorecards of the recent Tomasz Adamek vs. Michael Grant match, in order to uncover some bad intentions. This particular bout was scored 117-111, 118-111, and 117-110, yet by most ringside accounts was a 7 rounds to 5 victory for Adamek. It looks as if Grant would have had to dominate just to win a close decision. This is not the first time I have left a match with that particular thought in mind.
I remember when Zahir Raheem defeated Erik Morales. He had won by scores of 115-113 twice over Morales, even though the third scorecard of 117-111 was more accurate. It just goes to show you that there was obviously an intention to deceive. Should Grant or Raheem have deserved to win 7 rounds to 5... they would have actually lost 7 rounds to 5. Nicolai Valuev and Sven Ottke made a career of winning/losing this way, and we are already seeing it in the Super Six. Heck, even in Valuev's two losses to Chagaev and Haye, the bouts were scored much closer than they actually were.
Occasionally it is a one-scorecard error, which is usually dismissed. Some of these instances recently have included the 117-111 scorecard for Adamek over Arreola, the 108-101 tally for Jean Pascal over Chad Dawson, and the outrageous 119-110 scorecard favoring Paul Williams over Sergio Martinez. Obviously this doesn't always work, but the intention in quite clear. What often makes this an obvious case of corruption, and not simply a style/preference issue, is that in many cases there are not enough close rounds to justify the biased calls.
Well, we can jaw about this all we want, but the truth of the matter is, Eugenia Williams (Holyfield 115-113 over Lewis) still works! If there is no punishment for controversial scorecards, coming from the commissions, nothing will change. Some argue that the criteria of what is controversial versus mere difference of opinion is subjective. I say that is correct, but no more subjective than the concept of judging itself. Why should judges be exempt from the same opinion-based merits they put forth on a weekly basis. Live by the pen? Die by the pen.
Chris Strait
www.convictedartist.com
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