Rules
The Contest
Boxers will compete over three, three minute rounds.
At the start of a match, athletes are called upon by the referee to the centre of the ring, where they shake hands, then return to their respective corners until the bell is rung to signal commencement of the bout.
A bout can be won through a knockout, disqualification or retirement due to injury.
In the case of a knockout, the athlete who achieves it must withdraw to the neutral corner, while the referee starts counting up to ten. More specifically, the referee counts to eight for the knockdown, and to ten for the knockout. If the athlete fails to continue, then the opponent is proclaimed winner of the bout. Similarly, if a boxer, in the opinion of the referee, is receiving excessive punishment, the bout shall be stopped and his opponent declared the winner.
The athlete who does not comply with the regulations and the instructions of the referee can be subjected to a caution. Three cautions for the same foul lead to a warning. Three warnings lead to a disqualification. Fouls may include:
- Hitting below the belt
- Holding the opponent
- Hitting the back of the opponent’s head
- Hitting with the use of the head or any other part of the hand apart from the fist
- Disobeying the referee
- Hitting the opponent when he is down
- Hitting the opponent during a break
- Passive defensive
- Insulting behaviour towards the opponent or referee
- Improper use of the ring ropes