Majority Decision

A majority decision (MD) is a winning criterion in several full-contact combat sports, such as boxing, kickboxing, Muay Thai, mixed martial arts and others sports involving striking. In a majority decision, two of the three judges agree on which fighter won the match, while the third judge indicates that neither figher won (i.e., a "draw").

In boxing, each of the three judges keep score (round by round) of which fighter he / she feels is winning (and losing). If all scheduled rounds are completed (i.e., no knockout (technical included)), each judge totals the points for all rounds. If the same fighter scores more points than the other on 2 of the judges' scorecards -- but the third judge scored equally for both fighters (a draw) -- the official victory is awarded to the agreed-upon (by a 2 to 1 'majority') fighter. If all judges rule for the same boxer, the decision is referred to a Unanimous Decision.

The majority decision is frequently confused with the term split decision, but they are not the same. A split decision occurs when two judges pick the same fighter as the winner, while the third judge decides that the opposite fighter won. On very rare occasions, two judges vote for a draw while the third choses a winner -- this is a majority draw.

Also pertaining to governmental decisions, using the same terms, that mean the same thing.

Read more about Majority Decision:  History

Famous quotes containing the words majority and/or decision:

    I’m plotting revolution against this lie that the majority has a monopoly of the truth. What are these truths that always bring the majority rallying round? Truths so elderly they are practically senile. And when a truth is as old as that, gentlemen, you can hardly tell it from a lie.
    Henrik Ibsen (1828–1906)

    Drug misuse is not a disease, it is a decision, like the decision to step out in front of a moving car. You would call that not a disease but an error of judgment.
    Philip K. Dick (1928–1982)