Boxing has many rules used to govern the sport in order to make it fair, safe, and competitive for fighters. As a combat sport, the nature of boxing can put its competitors in serious danger without specific rules to control the match. Rules range from restricting the type of strikes competitors can use, where they are allowed to hit opponents, fouls, and other match procedures. The rules in boxing can vary depending on the jurisdiction in which the fight takes place and whether it is an amateur or professional boxing match.
There are a few universal rules that are extremely important to the sport and are generally accepted in all boxing matches. These rules apply only to boxing matches and not to similar combat sports such as kickboxing or MMA.
Commonly accepted rules for boxing include:
In boxing, breaking the rules is called a foul and can have varying consequences. A foul can result in a warning, point reductions, or even disqualification. If a fighter commits a foul that injures the opponent and makes them unable to compete, the fighter who committed the foul will be disqualified. If a fighter commits a foul that injures their opponent but the fight continues, the referee may signal the judges to automatically deduct two points from the fighter who committed the foul.
Boxing is a sport practiced by amateurs and professionals alike. While many core rules remain the same, some rules for each bout can vary based on the skill level of the fighters. The differences between amateur and professional boxing rules are summarized in the table below.
| RULE | AMATEUR | PROFESSIONAL |
|---|---|---|
| Skill Level Allowed | Beginner to experienced boxers | Experienced boxers only |
| Gear | Mouthguard, gloves, headgear | Mouthguard & gloves |
| Number of Rounds | As little as 3 rounds | 4-12 rounds |
| Scoring | Judged by number of hits landed. Generally computer counted. | 10 point system |
| Compensation | Little to no compensation | Compensation for sponsorships, participation, win bonuses, etc. |
The skill difference between amateur and professional boxing is clear. Most amateur bouts will feature beginner to intermediate boxers. However, some "amateur" competitions such as the Olympics can feature very skilled and experienced boxers. On the other hand, in professional boxing you almost always see top-notch boxers.
In amateur boxing, most participants will be required to wear mouthguards, gloves, and headgear. In some cases, amateurs will wear additional gear such as shin pads or rib guards. In professional boxing, the fighters will only wear mouthguards and gloves as protection.
Scoring is perhaps the biggest difference between amateur and professional boxing. The two skill levels are scored in two very different ways. Amateur boxing is judged based on the number of strikes landed comparatively. Meaning the fighter that lands the most punches usually wins. Professional boxing, on the other hand, uses a 10 point system to judge bouts. The 10 point system works by the judges deciding a winner for each round, with the winner receiving 10 points and the loser receiving 9. In rare situations where one fighter dominates, or a foul is committed that results in point deductions, the losing fighter could receive 8 points for the round.
Another significant difference between amateur and professional boxing is the compensation fighters receive. Some amateur boxers will fight for free or very little pay, as they are fighting for experience or simply a love for the sport. Professional boxers almost always receive compensation for their bouts. Professionals are paid for sponsorships, participating in the fight, win bonuses, and more. Some professional boxers can earn upwards of millions for just a single fight!
Boxing is a combat sport where two athletes battle each other in the ring using punches. To simplify the object of boxing, the goal is to hit your opponent and avoid getting hit yourself. Another way to look at the somewhat violent objective of the sport is to knock out your opponent before they knock you out. Boxers will earn a point advantage from the judges for dominating a round by successfully striking their opponent more than the opponent was able to strike them or for knocking down the opposing fighter. A complete knockout or TKO (technical knockout) automatically ends the fight.
There are numerous rules that govern the sport of boxing. These rules control the type of strikes competitors can use, where they are allowed to hit opponents, fouls, and other match procedures. Even the judges have rules for how to properly score each round. All included, there are over 30 rules in the sport of boxing. The rules can vary for boxing matches in different jurisdictions and at different skill levels.
However, there are some universal rules generally accepted across the entire sport. For example, it is forbidden to kick, knee, trip, headbutt, bite, or spit on opponents in boxing. Boxers are not allowed to hit below the belt or in the back area. The fighters must break, take a step back, and withhold throwing punches if the referee signals for a break. These are a few examples of common rules in boxing, but the entire list of rules is much more comprehensive.
No, fighters are not allowed to use kicks, knees, or trips in traditional boxing matches. Boxing is solely focused on striking with the hands and defending against it. Throwing a kick in a boxing match will be called a foul and result in a warning, possible point reductions, or even disqualification. However, in kickboxing (a discipline very similar to boxing) kicking and other techniques are allowed.
In boxing, fighters may strike the opponent in the head and upper body. Boxers are only allowed to strike their opponent with a closed fist punch, not with an open hand or backhand. It is against the rules for boxers to hit their opponents below the belt, in the back or kidney area, the back of the head or neck, or while they are on the ground.
