|
Aspect
|
Amateur |
Professional |
Safety |
| Rules |
Are geared to protect the health and safety of the athlete.
Basically uniform in all 186 AIBA affiliated countries. |
Different set of rules depending on jurisdiction and
location. |
Uniform rules mean uniform safety standards. |
| Rounds
|
4 rounds of 2 minutes
each. For females, juniors, masters and
novices, only 3 rounds. |
4 rounds of 3 minutes up to 12 rounds of 3 minutes each. |
Longer bouts increase the chance of injury. |
| Gloves |
10 oz. for competitions, specially designed to cushion the
impact. White area denotes striking surface. Must have AIBA approved label. |
6 and 8 oz. gloves, protect hands but make it much easier
to knock out opponents. No striking surface. Locally approved. |
The design of gloves is a major factor in the relative
safety. |
| Headguards |
Compulsory for all competitions since 1971 in Canada, since
1984 world-wide. |
Prohibited. |
Headguards reduce cuts by 90 %, ear lobe injury by 100 %. |
| Singlets (Tops) |
Mandatory for males and females. |
Prohibited for males. |
Tops prevent rope burns, keep gloves cleaner. |
| Standing Eight-Count |
Given to a boxer in difficulty. After 3 eight-counts in a
round or 4 in total, the bout is stopped. (For
females, juniors, masters and novices, 2 and 3) |
Usually does not exist. |
Purpose is to protect the boxer before getting hurt. |
| Duties of Referee |
First priority is to protect the boxers, and to enforce the
rules in the ring. |
To enforce the prevailing rules. In some jurisdictions, the
referee keeps score. |
Difference in referees' power and willingness to protect
boxers. |
| Injuries |
The bout is stopped when there is much bleeding, or cuts,
swelling around the eye. |
The bout is not stopped unless the injured boxer is unable
to continue (TKO). |
Blood and swelling around the eyes impair vision and make
it hard to defend against blows. |
| RSC - Outclassed |
If a boxer is overmatched, and has difficulty defending
against a far superior opponent, the referee stops the contest. |
No such rule. |
Mismatches can be a cause of injuries. |
| Fouls |
There are over 20 fouls (forbidden, unfair or dangerous tactics)
which lead to warnings and point penalties if committed. Disqualification after 3
warnings. |
Only a few fouls, such as low blows, are acted on. Lax with
most other fouls, such as holding, charging with head low. |
Clean boxing without fouls makes the sport safer. |
| Objectives |
To win on points by landing more correct scoring blows on
the opponent's target area. Knock-downs do not result in extra points. Knock-outs are
accidental, and not an objective. |
For point decisions, aggressiveness, knock-downs, injuring
("marking") the opponent, can also count. KO's are an objective, as a high
knock-out record can lead to higher earnings. |
Acute knock-outs are concussions. Less than 1 % of amateur
bouts end in knock-outs. Over 25 % of pro fights end in KO's, over 50 % in KO's or TKO's. |
| Conduct |
Offensive utterances or behaviour in the
ring considered unsporting and carry a penalty |
"Trash-talking" is often used to gain media
attention |
Olympic standards for personal conduct
prohibit unsporting conduct |
| Terms |
Coach
Boxer
Bout |
Trainer
Fighter
Fight |
|
