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split decision

split decision

5 6.7
A boxing result where two judges choose one boxer and the third chooses the other
  • noun
  • /splɪt dɪˈsɪʒən/
translation icon : decisión dividida
  • In boxing, a split decision means that two judges favored one fighter while the third saw it differently.
  • win a split decision
  • issue a split decision

Examples

  • It's really a split decision.

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  • The first win was unanimous, and the second was a split decision.

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  • Ladies and gentlemen, we have a split decision.

  • We have a split decision!

  • I was expecting it to be a split decision one way or the other.

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  • The judges turned the fight on its head by scoring a split decision in favor of Carmont.

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  • After his split decision loss to Martin Kampmann, Condit has found a way to win every fight.

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  • Surprisingly, the fight went to a split decision when most everyone had scored the bout 29-28 Tirloni.

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  • And Judge Marco Rosario scores it 91 to 89... to the winner by split decision...

  • Pacquiao and Marquez met for the second time in March 2008, with Pacquiao escaping with a split-decision win.

    Blog text (4)

Synonyms

decision
vssplit decision
270 1.0

An official result in a contest given by judges or the score

is the boxing result where judges split two to one on the winner

Antonyms

111 4.4

Everyone agrees about the same thing

How Close

draw
91 2.4
split decision
5 6.7
unanimous
111 4.4

Surface Forms

Morphology

split + decision

The meaning 'a decision that is divided/not unanimous' is directly derivable from combining 'split' (divided) with 'decision' (verdict), so the phrase transparently denotes a decision where opinions are split. This compositional pattern is common across languages and in English conveys the general boxing sense (a non-unanimous verdict), which a B1 learner who knows both words would readily infer.

Etymology

Split decision comes from boxing, where the judges' votes are literally split: two judges choose one boxer and the third chooses the other. That's why it means 'a close result' or a result where people do not all agree.