CURBSTONE Boxing scoring system analyzed

Judge Tom Miller detailed what he looks for during a bout.
By BRIAN RICHESSON
VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF
BOARDMAN -- It's easy to lose yourself in the many numbers and complexities of boxing's scoring system.
Tom Miller's explanation and formula, which he calls CEDR, makes that system easy to understand.
A judge of professional bouts since 1995, the Austintown Fitch High and Youngstown State University graduate uses four parts of the sport to define a winner.
Glossary
UClean punching. "No slapping, and I look for the fist of the glove to connect," said Miller during the Curbstone Coaches' luncheon Monday at Lockwood House.
UEffective aggression. "I like a fighter who's moving forward and throwing punches. I like a fighter who counter punches."
UDefense. "As long as you're blocking punches, bobbing and weaving out of the way, that's good defense."
URing generalship. "You know when a fighter looks like he belongs in that ring."
As a judge for numerous boxing organizations, Miller uses a scoring system in which each fighter begins the round with 10 points. Then, Miller focuses on two specific colors.
"I know who's in the blue corner, and I know who's in the red corner," he said.
During the round, Miller studies the fighters, identifying them by corner colors and determining who has the advantage.
The round winner takes a 10-9 lead. If a fighter knocks down his opponent during a round, Miller awards a 10-8 score. Two knockdowns result in a 10-7 score.
"Chances are, if he knocks [his opponent] down a third time in that round, they're going to stop the fight," Miller said.
Career path
Miller, 44, began judging bouts during the 1994 Junior Olympics in Cleveland, under the guidance of Tony Maiorana. A year later, Miller was judging professional fights and soon thereafter title fights.
"The travel's nice, and so is just being around the sport," Miller said. "It's 47 minutes of intense concentration."
The profession has taken Miller around the world -- from fights in Ohio and across the United States to venues in South America and Western Europe.
He's next scheduled to work a WBO featherweight title fight on May 29 in Scotland.
Jabs
Miller also touched upon various topics of interest in the sport.
He believes some fights are fixed and some boxers are paid to "take dives." He notices the respect Youngstown still receives from its former boxing champions, and he thinks highly of middleweight, Kelly Pavlik.
"Kelly Pavlik is sitting right where he wants to sit," Miller said of the 20-0 fighter. "Whoever Top Rank sticks in front of him, he takes care of. He does what he has to do.
"Will he be a champion? Yes, he will be a champion. You can guarantee that."
richesson@vindy.com