General Rules
Differences Between Amateur And Professional
Boxing
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General Rules
Olympic-style boxing features 12 weight
classes. To compete internationally, a boxer
must be at least 17 years old and not more than
32 years old. In domestic competitions, an
athlete must be at least eight years old to
compete. The Junior Olympic program is for
athletes eight to 16; the junior program is for
boxers 17-18; and the open program is for
boxers 17-32 years of age. A master's division
has been established for the local level only
and it is designed for boxers 33 and older.
Beginning October 1993, USA Boxing allowed
female competitors to box against other females
in sanctioned competition. Rules governing
female competition are the same as those for
male competition, except women are required to
wear breast protectors.
The following rules are for the open class. The
rules and weight categories for Junior Olympics
are different, featuring shorter rounds, four
age groups and more than 17 weight classes.
The Bout
Starting in 1997 all bouts will consists of
five, two-minute rounds, with a one-minute
interval between rounds.
The Referee
Referees are the sole authority in the ring,
and they must maintain control of the match
from start to finish, placing the foremost
importance on the boxers' safety. Before the
match begins, the referee checks each boxer's
gloves and attire for suitability. The referee
makes sure the bout is clean and fair; that the
boxers are physically able to continue; and
most importantly, that the match is not
one-sided.
Referees are all-powerful in the ring. Yet, to
maintain control, they need speak only three
words: "stop" (boxing), "box" (begin again) and
"break" (step back -- used to break up
clinches). Any boxer who does not obey
immediately may be disqualified.
Using their best judgment, referees may stop a
match any time they think it is too one-sided,
the boxers are not in earnest or one of the
boxers seems unable to continue due to injury.
At any point during the match, the referee may
consult the ringside physician for advice --
the physician's recommendation is binding.
Referees may disqualify a boxer, with or
without warning, whenever a boxer acts
aggressively toward them or delays in obeying a
command.
Common Fouls
The following are some of the common fouls for
which boxers will be cautioned: hitting below
the belt; holding, kicking or striking the
opponent with anything other than the gloved
knuckles; lying against the ropes or using them
unfairly; using offensive language; not
breaking on command; and behaving aggressively
towards the referee. Even no defense (passive
defense) is unfair and a foul.
When a boxer commits a foul, the referee
usually cautions the boxer and indicates the
foul through hand motions. After three cautions
for the same foul, the referee will warn the
boxer, which results in the boxer losing a
point. Upon the third warning for the same
foul, the boxer is disqualified.
When issuing a warning, the referee is making a
recommendation to the judges to penalize the
offending boxer by deducting a point. The
judges decide whether or not they agree with
the referee and make that notation on the score
card. Judges may award a "J" to a boxer they
think has fouled excessively, but the referee
has not warned the boxer to their satisfaction.
Judging the Bout
Traditional scoring: Five judges are required
and placed on different sides of the ring. In
some international and domestic competitions,
three judges may be used.
Each judge works alone. The judge assesses the
scoring value of each blow as it occurs and
mentally awards points to each boxer. The
judge's yardstick is "three blows to a point,"
but not any one blow will count. A scoring blow
must be clean, fair, unguarded and have the
proper weight. Essentially, the white part of
the glove, covering the knuckles, must make
contact to be a scoring blow. All legal blows
are scored equally, regardless if they results
in a knockdown or not.
When one boxer takes a definite point lead, a
judge may use that score for tallying -- adding
points as the boxer earns them and subtracting
from the total as the opponent scores.
During each round, judges will add up the
scoring blows delivered by each boxer, always
awarding 20 points to the round's winner and
somewhat less than 20 to the loser. For
example, boxer "A" scored 12 legitimate scoring
blows and boxer "B" landed nine. Using the
guideline of three blows per point, this round
would be scored 20-19.
Judges award points after each round. When the
bout is over, the scores are added to determine
the overall winner.
Tie scores, while quite rare, do occur. In this
case, the boxer who showed more aggressiveness
and better style wins. If it is still tied, the
boxer with the better defense is awarded the
decision.
Electronic scoring: For the first time in
Olympic boxing competition, an electronic
scoring system was used at the 1992 Olympic
Games in Barcelona, Spain. Under electronic
scoring, five working judges are positioned at
ringside with a desk-mounted keypad at each
judge's position.
The keypads, each of which are linked to the
mainframe computer at the jury table, feature
four buttons -- red and blue scoring and red
and blue warning buttons.
During the course of the bout, judges record
scoring blows for each competitor on their
keypad. In order for a blow to be recorded by
the computer as part of the official (or
combined/accepted score), three of five judges
must press the same colored button within a
one-second interval. The one-second interval
begins when the first judge records a blow.
Scores are reported in terms of number of blows
recognized by a majority of judges over the
course of the three rounds combined.
For example, a 32-27 win for the Red Corner
indicates that over the course of the three
rounds Red was credited with 32 blows by a
majority of the judges while Blue was credited
with 27 blows.
If a boxer receives a warning for a foul, the
referee will stop action, mimic the foul and
look to each judge to recommend a point
deduction. If the judges agree with the
warning, they will press the warning button
corresponding to the fouling boxer's corner
color. If the warning is recognized by a
majority of the judges, the warning will result
in the addition of two points ("blows") to the
opponent's score.
It is important to note that electronic scoring
is merely a different method of scoring a bout
and the definitions of a scoring blow have
remained unchanged. A scoring blow still must
be clean, fair, unguarded and have the proper
weight of the body or shoulder behind it. All
legal blows are scored equally, regardless if
they result in a knockdown.
Winning the Bout
Winning on points: This is the most common type
of win and is decided simply by consulting the
judges' scores for each boxer. Again, if a
judge has the boxers scored evenly, the judge
must select a winner based on aggressiveness,
better defense and best style (except under
electronic scoring). Winning by retirement: A
boxer (or coach) who voluntarily "throws in the
towel" or one who is unfit to continue forfeits
the match.
Winning when the referee stops the contest
(RSC): If the referee thinks a boxer is totally
outclassed, the bout will be stopped and the
superior opponent wins. The bout also will be
stopped if one of the boxers is injured or is
unable to continue or if one of the boxers
receives an eight-count three times in one
round or four times in a bout.
Boxers are "down" if they touch the floor with
anything other than their feet. They also are
"down" if they are dangling on the ropes or are
wholly or partially outside the ropes from a
blow.
A boxer can be considered "down" while standing
up. This state usually occurs after the boxer
has received a blow or blows to the head and
may be dazed.
"Out on the feet," a boxer is given a mandatory
eight-count by the referee. The referee uses
this time to evaluate the status of the boxer
to determine if the bout can continue.
Even if boxers are able to box sooner, they
must wait until the eight seconds are counted
to continue. If they are not able to box by the
count of eight, they lose the match.
If a bout is stopped, it may also be called an
RSCH. The "H" is used when the match was
stopped due to head blows.
The ringside physician has the option to stop a
match, at his or her discretion, at any point.
The physician will examine the boxer and signal
the match to continue or stop at that point.
The physician's decision is always binding.
The "technical knockout" (TKO) does not exist
in Olympic-style boxing.
Winning by disqualification: If the referee
disqualifies a boxer, the opponent wins the
bout. If both boxers are disqualified, neither
wins, and this result is announced.
No contest: Sometimes, for reasons beyond
anyone's control, a match must be called off.
If the lights should fail or if the ring is
damaged, the match's final determination is "no
contest" and will go into the record books as
such.
Safety
The main objective of Olympic-style boxing's
rules and the actions and decisions of the
referee is the safety and protection of boxers.
As safety measures, boxers are required to wear
a form-fitted mouthpiece, a foul-proof cup and
a headguard. The headguard was made mandatory
for all international events and major
tournaments in 1984.
Internationally, gloves for the six lighter
classes (106-139 pounds) are 8 ounces, while
10-ounce gloves are used for the heavier
categories (147--over 201 pounds).
Pre- and post-bout medical examinations are
required for all competitions.
Additional safety measures to limit athletes'
and officials' exposure to bodily fluids
include provisions that a referee may stop a
bout when both boxers are bleeding.
Ringside physicians may stop a match at their
discretion at any point during the bout.
The standing eight-count and medical advice
concerning potential injuries are two
additional ways the athlete is protected.
Referees may administer the standing eight
whenever they think boxers are unable to defend
themselves, are dazed, or have received too
many blows. The referee uses this time to
evaluate the boxer's condition and ability to
continue.
If a boxer has received a cut or other injury,
the referee may consult the ringside physician,
who has the option to stop the bout or let it
continue. A physician is required at ringside
during all contests.
If a boxer's match is stopped because of head
blows, the boxer is restricted from sparring or
competition for a specified period. Before
resuming after a restriction period, the boxer
must be cleared by aphysician.
To compete, boxers must have an athlete's
passbook, which is a record of their matches to
date. This is to ensure their eligibility and
record to box.
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Differences Between Amateur And Professional Boxing
1. Organization
Amateur: All amateur boxing comes
under the jurisdiction of a single,
unified National Governing Body
(NGB). As an NGB, USA Boxing has
jurisdiction over the administration
and rules of competition for amateur
boxing in the U.S.
Professional: Many state-controlled
commissions have different sets of
rules. Therefore, no such single,
unified body exists, nor is there one
singular set of standards, rules and
guidelines.
2. International
Amateur: Amateur boxing uses the same
set of rules worldwide. While USA
Boxing's rules conform completely
with the international rules, USA
Boxing has more stringent rules in
some areas for safety.
Professional: Has different sets of
rules -- WBO, IBF, etc. and those set
by state commissions.
3. Philosophy
Amateur: The main objective is to
score points. In amateur boxing, the
force of a blow or its effect on the
opponent does not count. Therefore,
the knockout is a by-product in
amateur boxing. A blow that knocks a
boxer to the mat receives no more
credit than a regular blow. A
knockdown is scored as a single blow
and does not necessarily make the
boxer a winner of that round.
Professional: Added weight is given
to a blow based on its impact and
effect on one's opponent. Therefore,
the knockdown and/or knockout is an
objective in the pros. In rare cases,
a boxer who scores a knockdown may
lose the round.
4. Safety
Amateur: Form-fitted mouthpieces are
required and must be worn at all
times; if it falls out, it is
replaced immediately.
Professional: The rule applies to pro
contests in certain states but is not
uniform.
Amateur: Headguards are mandatory in
the U.S. and in major international
competitions.
Professional: Headguards prohibited.
Amateur: Boxers receive standing
eight-counts. This is a safety
precaution that gives the referee
eight seconds to evaluate the
condition of the boxer. Based on
his/her decision, the bout may
continue or be stopped.
Professional: Certain pro world
bodies have recently adopted the
standing eight-count rule.
Amateur: Injury -- referee stops the
action and takes the boxer to the
corner for the doctor to examine the
injury and get an opinion. Based on
the physician's opinion, the bout
will continue or be stopped. The
physician may suspend the action, at
his/her discretion, at any point
during the match to examine a boxer.
The physician may also examine a
boxer between rounds. The physician's
decision to stop or continue a match
is binding.
Professional: Under some rules, it is
the same.
Amateur: More control is exercised by
the referee in the ring. Referees
caution boxers to let them know that
they are violating fundamentals and
rules.
Professional: Boxer is only warned
for a harm foul, blow-type infraction
-- not for technique.
Amateur: Referee will stop the bout
if a boxer is out-classed.
Professional: Referee is authorized
to stop the bout but rarely does due
to financial and TV arrangements.
Amateur: If a bout is stopped because
of blows to the head, the boxer is
not allowed to compete or workout in
the gym for a specified period of
time.
Professional: Is done, but not in all
cases. Depends on the state.
Amateur: All amateurs are registered
with USA Boxing.
Professional: No single system
exists; is controlled by local
groups.
Amateur: The criteria for stopping
bouts due to injury are stricter --
i.e. lacerations or swelling which
block vision will cause the bout to
be stopped.
Professional: Rules are less strict
on injuries that stop a bout -- i.e.
a boxer will continue to box if his
eye is swollen shut or if a cut
around the eye, nose or mouth is
badly bleeding.
Amateur: The use of the head
(butting) is strictly regulated --
boxers are cautioned but then may be
warned or lose points if they
continue.
Professional: Laxly controlled.
Amateur: A blow counts for scoring
only if the knuckle surface is used;
slapping, etc., is not allowed nor
does it count for points. Therefore,
the striking area is limited to the
knuckle of the fist and must hit the
front and side of the body and head
and above the waist.
Professional: Not as much attention
is given to the placement of scoring
blows.
Amateur: The bell cannot save a boxer
from a stopped contest. The count
continues to completion, regardless
of when the bell rings (except in
finals of a tournament, such as the
Olympics, Pan Am Games or U.S.
Championships).
Professional: A boxer can be saved
from a knockout by the ringing of the
bell, depending on state rules.
Amateur: Three counts in one round or
four in a match automatically stops a
bout.
Professional: Is waived in some
circumstances.