[aigel]

IMHO the Olympic scoring sure works a lot better than the "pro" scoring. You are correct that the hard punches count just as much as the soft ones. But don't forget that they will leave their mark on the opponent regardless. You may look at Olympic boxing as "fencing with the fists". I like to watch it better than pro boxing. Also, if you compete, you will be happier in amateur boxing - I have seen a lot of young guys without good coaches (leave along promoters) burnt up in pro fights for a few hundred bucks a pop.

George