The Doggy Bag: Kimbo Sliced?

I was wondering what are your thoughts on rounds being displayed as the fight goes on? For example: In a championship fight like Machida vs. Rua 1 -- if Rua knew he was down on points it might have made him try a bit harder and go for the finish. This way, fighters will know if they are down, rather then being surprised by the decision at the end of the fight. It would also make fights more exciting, as fighters knowing that they are down are more likely to attempt to finish the fight.
-- Qais

Greg Savage, radio host and reporter: This is an interesting question that comes up every now and again. Those in favor of updated scoring being visible throughout the arena and known to the participants make a lot of the points you made in your email, but they usually fail to consider the negative affects of implementing a round-by-round public-scoring system.

Perhaps you have an exciting title fight through three rounds and one fighter banks every period on at least two judges’ scorecards. He could then just hop on his bike and run the last two rounds and fans would feel cheated.

I don’t buy the “it would make him fight harder” argument either. There have been numerous occasions when I have seen a fighter who clearly knows he is down insurmountably by points who fails to kick it into a higher gear.

The main reason for this is that guys are actually trying to win fights for the most part. Most of the time when fighters can’t get the upper hand it is not for a lack of want. Fatigue or a superior opponent usually has a lot to do with it.

I think there are compelling arguments on each side of this issue and if I were making the case I would simply point out that combat sports are one of the only competitions where the participants do not the score until the match is over.

Either way, with the pace at which athletic commissions work -- think glaciers -- I don’t think we have to worry about this debate making it to the level where it could be seriously debated any time soon.

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