If you didn’t see a second of the title fight between Teofimo Lopez and Vasiliy Lomachenko, and just saw the cards, you’d think Lopez cruised easily to an upset win over the pound-for-pound champ.
…That would not be an accurate reflection of reality, at least according to a lot of boxing fans. While Lopez owned the early rounds, arguably winning the first six, Lomachenko then dominated the next five, only for Lopez to come roaring back in a thrilling final round.
Most fans had it as a slight win for Lopez, if not a draw. (Some gave the second round to Lomachenko.) Commentator Andre Ward had it scored 114-114 draw on the broadcast.
The official scorecards told a different story. The fight was scored 116-112 by Tim Cheatham, 117-111 by Steve Weisfield and 119-109 by Julie Lederman.
They had the right man winning, but the margin of victory was, to put it kindly, surprising.
The last scorecard especially seemed one from a different fight, and fans were clearly upset about the 119-109 scoring from Lederman.
119 -109 ooowwweeee that was a good fight but that score was so disrespectful
— Terence Crawford (@terencecrawford) October 18, 2020
119-109 is ridiculous 😂🤦🏽♂️
— Bradley Beal (@RealDealBeal23) October 18, 2020
That said, 119-109 is wacky as heck. 116-112 was the best scorecard, IMO.
— Ariel Helwani (@arielhelwani) October 18, 2020
That 119-109 by Julie Lederman is unacceptable. What the hell? #LomaLopez
— Bloody Elbow (@BloodyElbow) October 18, 2020
I want to meet the Judge who had Lopez 119-109
Even that is crazy lol
— Abdul Memon (@abdulamemon) October 18, 2020
Three things can be true:
119-109 is wrong
114-114 is also wrong
The right guy won.— Jr310 (@jr_91_) October 18, 2020
Y’all gone start listening to me about this boxing 🤷🏽♂️ … 119-109 was wild but I don’t want to hear excuses. Great performance by @teofimolopez
— Damian Lillard (@Dame_Lillard) October 18, 2020
Though, ESPN’s Myron Medcalf had some good perspective:
Don't let a 119-109 scorecard become the headline. Teofimo Lopez beat a great champion. The rounds Lopez won weren't close. Give him credit.
— Myron Medcalf (@MedcalfByESPN) October 18, 2020
In the end, that’s where I come in on this. Lopez remained competitive in the rounds that Lomachenko won, while the rounds Lopez won were total dominations. He won the 12th, as well. I think 116-112 is the right score. One wild scorecard doesn’t change the fact that the right boxer won.