Colorado State Boxing Commission approves open scoring for combat sports

The Colorado State Boxing Commission has taken a vote yesterday that will allow for open scoring for both boxing and MMA bouts under its jurisdiction, as reported by ESPN. The move makes the state the second after Kansas to have approved the use of open scoring.

The idea behind it is to allow the fighters, coaches, and fans to see how a fight is being scored in real time with each score being made available to the public after each round. Not only does this make the scoring of fights more transparent for everyone, but it also gives fighters the opportunity to alter their tactics should they be aware that they’re down on the scorecards.

Open scoring won’t be mandatory within the state of Colorado, however, but will be made as an available option to any promoter who wishes to utilize the system going forward. Commission director Tony Cummings mentions real-time accountability as one of the benefits of an open scoring system.

“I’ve been around the industry for a long period of time from a coach’s perspective, cornering fighters and stuff like that,” Cummings said. “[The idea for open scoring] definitely comes from a transparency perspective. I think it applies real-time accountability. I should be answering those questions [about judging] in real time. I shouldn’t be answering them two or three days later.”

Obviously it’s yet to been seen how many promoters will actually elect to take part in the open scoring system for cards they stage within the state, but it’s certainly a good option to have and a step in the right direction.