Lopez revives call for use of sensor machine

ATHENS — It won’t be long when the international boxing federation (AIBA) adopts a new scoring machine that would help clean the sport, eliminate alleged cheating and improve the image, honor and credibility of the sport.

This was predicted Friday by former Manila Mayor Mel Lopez Jr., who originally proposed the use of the sensor machine and the metallic mesh developed by German engineering firm Top-Ten, which is also the leading distributor of scoring equipment in fencing and other physical contact sports.

"More boxing officials are now inclined to push for the machine’s adoption after it was rejected by the AIBA during its congress after the 1996 Atlanta Olympics," said Lopez.

A sensor inside the boxing glove would react and send a signal the moment the white spot hits its target, explained Lopez. "This would then result in a point."

"This differs from the current system which, although computerized, still requires judges to decide when a point must be given," added Lopez.

Among those who have expressed their support to the Lopez proposal are Dr. Peter of Hungary, Dr. Domingo Solano of Dominican Republic and Mexican lawyer Ricardo Contreras, who are all members of the AIBA executive committee; Polish boxing president Edward Kyosowski, Kenyan official David Njenga, Rwanda boxing president Mitali Uwamungu and former AIBA official Paul Konnor.

"After consultations with local boxing experts and boxers alike, in their views and in my own view, your suggestion (for the adoption of a new scoring machine) is quite welcome to us. In fact, its conception had been long overdue," said Uwamungu.

"We support all activities for improvement of (the boxing) situation," opined Kyosowski.

Njenga said: "Our (Kenya) association has strongly supported your proposal, please go ahead."

Contreras quipped: "Your proposal (for an alternative system to register scoring hits) will begin a revolution in the technical aspects of scoring in our sport. I agree with you."

"What you propose is certainly a thrust in the right direction," said Konnor, adding that the "Velasco vs Petrov (fight in Atlanta) was outrageous. It was a very close bout that could have gone either way."

Lopez said the proposal for the adoption of the scoring machine could be discussed in the AIBA executive committee within six months.