10 Most Controversial Judge's Decisions In Boxing History

Highlights

• Numerous instances of the worst boxing decisions are overlooked, even when a clear winner is apparent.
• High-stakes bouts often face accusations of corruption at the highest levels of the sport.
• Esteemed boxers like Oscar De La Hoya and Pernell Whitaker have been victims of unjust decisions multiple times.

Numerous instances of the worst boxing decisions or outright robberies remain overlooked. For example, Campbell Hatton, the son of boxing legend Ricky Hatton, won a match against journeyman Sonni Martinez despite losing 5 of 6 rounds, according to most observers. However, the gravest injustices in the sport are felt more keenly in high-stakes bouts where legacies are on the line.

In such cases, certain decisions are deemed so reprehensible that many fans suspect corruption at the highest echelons. Whether it's a biased hometown decision or favoritism towards the more popular fighter, the rightful winner doesn't always secure the verdict. Esteemed boxers like Oscar De La Hoya and Pernell Whitaker find themselves on this list multiple times, and some boxers even admit they didn't merit their victory.

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10 Oscar De La Hoya vs. Felix Trinidad Was The Biggest PPV Bout

Felix Trinidad Won Via Majority Decision

In the heavyweight-dominated era of boxing, the De La Hoya vs. Trinidad bout emerged as a blockbuster pay-per-view spectacle. Oscar De La Hoya, holding the WBC welterweight title, faced off against Felix Trinidad, the IBF champion, in a clash of undefeated champions. De La Hoya strategically frustrated Trinidad throughout the night with his exceptional lateral movement and footwork, skillfully avoiding the ropes and maintaining a safe distance from the powerful Puerto Rican boxer by deploying his jab effectively.

Displaying a dazzling array of right crosses, De La Hoya consistently stunned Trinidad. Although many observers believed De La Hoya was comfortably leading the fight, he chose to ease off in the final three rounds. Despite this late tactical shift, the consensus was that De La Hoya had dominated the earlier rounds and, therefore, deserved the victory. However, much to the surprise of many, Trinidad was declared the winner through a majority decision.

9 Sugar Ray Leonard v.s Thomas Hearns 2 Was A Longtime In The Making

The Fight Ended In A Draw

Leonard vs. Hearns II showdown unfolded approximately eight years after their initial bout, which Leonard had won by TKO. The second encounter, lasting 12 intense rounds, concluded with a split draw: one judge scored it 113–112 for Hearns, another 113–112 for Leonard, and a third judge rendered a score of 112–112. The draw sparked controversy, as a majority of viewers, including television announcers, believed Hearns had outperformed Leonard by a margin substantial enough to warrant surprise at the official scoring.

The ringside crowd vehemently protested the decision, expressing their disagreement with the outcome. Hearns played a significant role in the match by securing the only two knockdowns of the fight. In the third round, he dropped Leonard after grazing him with a right cross, causing Leonard to lose his footing. Then, in the 11th round, Hearns scored another knockdown by landing consecutive right hands.

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8 Canelo Alvarez vs Gennady Golovkin 1, An All Time Classic

It Shockingly Ended A Draw

The clash between Canelo Álvarez and Gennady Golovkin stood out as the most significant middleweight bout in the last decade, marking itself as one of the boxing world's notable high-profile controversies. Golovkin strategically employed the jab, consistently outlanding Canelo in 10 out of the 12 rounds. However, the fight concluded with a contentious split draw. The scorecards reflected the divergence in opinions, with Dave Moretti favoring Golovkin at 115–113, Adalaide Byrd scoring an overwhelmingly lopsided 118–110 for Álvarez, and Don Trella rendering it a 114–114 tie.

Byrd's notably skewed scorecard faced widespread criticism, sparking speculation about potential corruption influencing the judgment. The controversial decision prompted a rematch, which, although closer, left many feeling that GGG deserved the victory.

7 Manny Pacquiao vs. Tim Bradley 1

Bradley Won A Highly Controversial Split Decision

The Pacquiao vs. Bradley bout is widely regarded as one of the most infamous and controversial decisions in boxing history. The fight unfolded much as anticipated, with Manny Pacquiao showcasing superior skill, effortlessly landing his trademark left hand throughout the match. Pacquiao consistently outclassed Timothy Bradley and managed to hurt his opponent multiple times.

While Bradley effectively utilized the punches he did throw, the overall consensus was overwhelmingly in favor of Pacquiao. However, Judges Duane Ford and C. J. Ross astonishingly scored the fight 115–113 in favor of Bradley, in stark contrast to Jerry Roth's 115–113 scorecard in favor of Pacquiao. The announcement of Bradley as the winner elicited a resounding chorus of boos from the disappointed and surprised crowd. Pacquiao himself appeared visibly stunned by the unexpected and widely disputed decision.

• Pacquiao defeated Bradley twice following the controversy.

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6 Oscar De La Hoya vs. Felix Sturm Had High Stakes

De La Hoya Won Via Unanimous Decision

In a crucial bout to pave the way for a mega fight with Bernard Hopkins, Oscar De La Hoya faced the undefeated German, Felix Sturm. Sturm held a distinct advantage over De La Hoya in nearly every aspect, particularly excelling with his dominant jab. Sturm's accuracy in punching, especially with power punches, was notable, landing over 50% of them during the match.

HBO commentators Jim Lampley and Roy Jones Jr. both concurred that Sturm had clearly outperformed De La Hoya. Hopkins, who was watching from ringside, expressed his concern that his anticipated big payday was on the brink of slipping away.

• De La Hoya was coming off a controversial loss to Shane Mosley at light middleweight.

5 Lennox Lewis v Evander Holyfield 1

The Fight Was Declared A Split Draw

Lennox Lewis delivered a standout performance in his 12-round undisputed championship clash against fellow heavyweight titleholder Evander Holyfield. The British-Canadian champion showcased exceptional control of the distance, utilizing his renowned jab effectively throughout the bout. Despite Holyfield having moments of success, Lewis was clearly dictating the fight.

In a surprising turn of events, the officials declared a majority decision draw, with scores of 116-113 in favor of Lewis, 115-115, and an unexpected 115-113 in Holyfield's favor by judge Eugenia Williams. The decision left the boxing world in disbelief, prompting further scrutiny. Williams was later summoned before a federal grand jury to address inquiries regarding her connections to Holyfield's promoter, Don King, adding a controversial layer to the aftermath of the bout.

4 Josh Taylor vs Jack Catterall Wasn’t Even Close

Taylor Won Via Split Decision

Taylor's decision victory was the subject of one of the biggest controversies in boxing history, with many critics such as Carl Frampton, Josh Warrington and Dillian Whyte expressing disgust or shock at the decision. The then-undisputed light-welterweight champion Taylor struggled to get past El Gato’s shoulder-roll defense and was countered when he applied pressure. The Scottish fighter was knockdown in the eight round and Catterall won most of the rounds comfortably. Taylor’s reputation was tarnished for not making the rematch his number one priority.

• Taylor lost his next fight to Teofimo Lopez via unanimous decision.

3 Julio Cesar Chavez vs Pernell Whitaker

The Showdown Ended With A Majority Draw

The defensive maestro Pernell Whitaker skillfully employed his slick boxing techniques to maintain control of the bout, frustrating Julio César Chávez, who struggled to land punches consistently. Remarkably, Whitaker landed over 100 punches more than the then-undefeated Chávez. Despite Whitaker's clear dominance, the judge's scorecards produced a surprising outcome.

Only one judge, Jack Woodruff, scored the fight in Whitaker's favor with a score of 115–113. The other two judges, Mickey Vann and Franz Marti, inexplicably scored the fight as a draw, each with a score of 115–115. The decision raised accusations of corruption, with numerous publications and unofficial scorers overwhelmingly favoring Whitaker.

2 Jose Luis Ramirez vs Pernell Whitaker 1

The Bout Was A Split Decision Victory

Pernell Whitaker fell victim to a robbery even before his draw against Chavez, experiencing a particularly egregious decision in his first fight against Jose Luis Ramirez in 1988. The impact was intensified as this marked the first loss in Whitaker's otherwise unblemished career. Whitaker employed a cautious and defensive approach that may not have pleased the crowd but showcased his strategic prowess. He skillfully fought behind his jab, making Ramirez miss, and comfortably dominated at least nine rounds.

Despite Whitaker's clear and dominant display, the judges rendered a split decision in favor of Ramirez, a decision that was widely regarded as unjust.

• Whitaker defeated Ramirez in the rematch the following year.

1 Park Si-Hun v Roy Jones Jr In The Olympics

A Shocking Robbery That Changed Amateur Boxing

Park's victory by a 3-2 decision stands out as one of the most controversial moments in boxing history, given that Roy Jones Jr. appeared to dominate the fight from beginning to end. The outcome sparked immediate criticism and discontent, including from South Koreans who expressed their displeasure by heckling Park at the podium. According to The New York Times, two of the judges were later banned for life, and several statements from journalists hinted that corruption was at play.

• Jones revealed the loss was a blessing in disguise due to the support he received.
• Park Si-Hun never turned professional and did not feel like he won.