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:
“In republics, the great danger is, that the majority may not sufficiently respect the rights of the minority.”
—James Madison (1751–1836)
“The women of my mother’s generation had, in the main, only one decision to make about their lives: who they would marry. From that, so much else followed: where they would live, in what sort of conditions, whether they would be happy or sad or, so often, a bit of both. There were roles and there were rules.”
—Anna Quindlen (20th century)