What Does a Split Decision Mean in Boxing Fights?

The definition of a split decision in boxing

A split decision occurs after a boxing fight when two judges score one boxer as the winner, but the third judge scores the fight in favour of the other boxer. The official outcome of a boxing fight is the same whether it’s a split decision or a majority decision, but the latter is viewed as a more decisive win throughout the sport. 

Split decisions Vs majority decisions

A split decision occurs when a boxer wins by 2-1 on the judges scorecards. There is a subtle difference between a split decision and a majority decision in boxing. The latter occurs when two judges pick the same fighter as the winner, and the remaining judge scores the fight a draw. 

Split decisions Vs unanimous decisions

A split decision in boxing means two judges score one boxer as the winner, and one judge scores the other as the winner. As you might expect from the description, a unanimous decision sees all judges score the fight in favour of the same boxer. A unanimous points decision is what all boxers look to achieve if they’re unable to win a fight by knockout or technical knockout. 

The most notable split decisions in boxing history

There have been many split decisions in boxing fights that have become iconic moments in the sport’s history. Below, we’ll delve deeper into some of the most talked about split decisions and explain why they caused so much controversy. 

Muhammad Ali Vs Leon Spinks (1978)

This split decision fight was noteworthy not because it was controversial but because it was one of the biggest upsets in 20th-century boxing. The ageing Muhammad Ali was still a heavy favourite against 1976 Olympic gold medallist Leon Spinks. Ali’s WBA, WBC and The Ring heavyweight titles were on the line here. 

Spinks ended up upsetting the odds by winning by as much as five points on one scorecard and four points on another. Ali won by a single point with the other judge, but the split decision deservedly went in Spinks’ favour. Spinks was the only fighter to take a world title away from Ali by defeating him in the ring. Ali got his revenge by winning via unanimous decision in the rematch seven months later. You can read more about Leon Spinks’ story and how he’s up there with some of the worst boxers ever. 

Marvin Hagler Vs Sugar Ray Leonard (1987)

The middleweight fight between ‘Marvelous’ Marvin Hagler and Sugar Ray Leonard was dubbed ‘The Super Fight’. After almost a year of protracted negotiations, Hagler and Leonard got it on for the WBC and The Ring middleweight titles at Caesars Palace, Las Vegas. 

Initially, Hagler wasn’t overly keen on the fight, with the WBC and The Ring middleweight champion of the world seriously considering retirement. However, a $20 million purse was enough to change his mind. As for Leonard, he was adamant he’d only come out of retirement to fight Hagler. This motivation appeared to tip the scales in Leonard’s favour.  

Hagler started the fight poorly and was down after the first two rounds. He remained the aggressor throughout, but Leonard’s late flurries of punches in each fight’s closing stages seemingly caught the judges’ eye. One judge scored it 115-113 in Hagler’s favour and another 115-113 in favour of Leonard. Judge JoJo Guerra scored it 118-110 in favour of Leonard, with Hagler winning just two rounds. This was largely criticised in the boxing press post-fight. 

Amir Khan Vs Lamont Peterson (2011)

Amir Khan put his WBA and IBF light welterweight belts on the line against mandatory IBF challenger Lamont Peterson. The fight was staged in Peterson’s hometown of Washington D.C. Khan was in imperious form, having won eight successive fights before this bout. 

Khan managed to floor Peterson inside the opening three minutes. However, Khan got into hot water twice with referee Joe Cooper, who penalised the Brit for excessive shoving and hitting on the break.  

Losing these points from the scorecards would prove decisive for Khan. Khan was up five points in the eyes of one judge, but the penalties meant two judges scored the fight 113-112 in Peterson’s favour, sending his partisan home crowd wild with delight. Following an appeal from Khan’s camp, the WBA ordered a rematch, but this never transpired. 

Manny Pacquiao Vs Keith Thurman (2019)

Filipino boxing legend Manny Pacquiao was bidding to become the oldest welterweight to land a world title in the sport’s history. Aged 40, Pacquiao locked horns with Keith Thurman, who was putting his WBA super welterweight belt on the line. 

Pacquiao managed to win by a 2-1 split decision (115-112, 115-112, 113-114). Pacquiao certainly started the fight in fine fettle, but Thurman grew into the fight and even out-landed Pacquiao over the entire fight in the punch department. Nevertheless, Pacquiao’s busy nature caught the eye of the judges, who ensured he’d become a four-time welterweight champ. 

Josh Taylor Vs Jack Catterall (2022)

Many believe Josh Taylor’s split decision victory to be one of the biggest injustices in boxing history. Taylor, the undisputed light-welterweight champion, took on the WBO’s mandatory challenger, Jack Catterall. The pair were due to fight in October 2021, but an injury to Josh Taylor delayed the bout another four months. 

As for the fight itself, most boxing pundits and ex-professionals were adamant that Catterall had the better of the exchanges throughout. Catterall was quicker to the punch, while Taylor seemed sluggish and lacklustre. Nevertheless, Taylor won by split decision, with two judges scoring the bout 114-111 and 113-112 in his favour, with one judge scoring it 113-112 in favour of Catterall. If you’re wondering what a split decision means in boxing, this fight is the perfect example, demonstrating just how subjective boxing can be. 

Bet on the biggest boxing fights right here at Parimatch

If you’re a keen boxing fan and you think you know the outcome of the next big title fight, why not put your money where your mouth is? You can bet on all the biggest boxing bouts with a Parimatch account. Our boxing betting markets cover all weight divisions, including high-profile exhibition fights. 

It’s easy to open a Parimatch account. Complete our registration form, and we’ll verify your identity as fast as possible so you can deposit funds and start betting on the action in the ring. 

As a first-time Parimatch customer, we always recommend that you review our Safer Gambling Portal before you place a single bet. This explains all the available tools available to you, with the ability to set loss and deposit limits daily, weekly or monthly. You can even self-exclude yourself from our platform if that’s what you need to stay in control of your sports betting.