Monday, January 9, 2012

Boxing Rules for Absolute Beginners


The first record of boxing as an organized sport is its addition to the Greek Olympics in 688 B.C. It was originally fought without the use of gloves, and rules varied widely depending on the fight. Modern boxing descends from the Queensberry Rules, established in 1866. While organizations still have variations when it comes to rules, the rules for the bouts are relatively standard compared to boxing's early history.


Format
The number of rounds in a boxing match varies depending on the sanctioning body and the significance of the fight. A professional International Boxing Federation championship fight will always last 12 rounds, barring a knockout. Each of these rounds is three minutes long. At the end of every round, the fighters return to their corners and rest for one minute before continuing on with the next round.
Strikes
All fighters who weigh in at 155 lb. or more fight with 10 oz. gloves, while fighters who weigh in at under 155 lb. fight with 8 oz. gloves. Boxers are only allowed to strike with the gloves. Blows must be delivered above the waist, and cannot land on the back of the fighter at any height. A referee can deduct points for illegal blows or disqualify a fighter if the fouls are severe and intentional.
Knockouts
Fighters can stop a fight with a knockout or technical knockout. When a fighter is knocked down, the referee gives the fighter eight seconds to return to his feet and demonstrate that he can continue. If the fighter can't do so, the fight is stopped. Referees can stop a fight at any time if they feel a fighter's safety is in jeopardy. While the fighter might not be unconscious, a technical knockout can be declared.
Scoring
Professional boxing matches are scored on a 10-point must system. Each bout has three judges, who award the winner of the round 10 points and the loser 9 points or less depending on how evenly matched the round was. At the end of the fight, the points are totaled for a decision. It's a unanimous decision if all judges agree, a split decision if one judge awards the fight to a different fighter, and a majority decision if one judge scores a draw and the others declare the same winner. The fight is a draw if two judges score it a draw, or if one judge scores it a draw and the other two are split in declaring the winner.

 
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