Glossary

Below the Belt

Rules

Any punch landing below the navel/beltline. It is an illegal strike that results in a warning, point deduction, or disqualification.

Rules Guide
Boxing Rules: Scoring, Fouls & Weight Classes

How this fits with the rest of the rules — the 10-point must system, fouls and penalties, and every weight class.

More Rules Terms

Accidental Foul

An unintentional illegal action such as a headbutt or low blow. If a fight is stopped early due to an accidental foul, scorecards go to the judges if enough rounds have been completed.

Amateur Boxing

Olympic-style boxing, run internationally by World Boxing (which took over from the expelled IBA) and nationally by federations such as USA Boxing. Elite bouts are 3 rounds of 3 minutes, women and youth boxers wear headguards, and scoring emphasizes clean punching.

Bantamweight

A weight class with a limit of 118 lbs (53.5 kg) in professional boxing.

Break

A command from the referee to separate fighters from a clinch. Both fighters must step back and stop punching immediately.

Cruiserweight

A weight class with a limit of 200 lbs (90.7 kg) in professional boxing, sitting between light heavyweight and heavyweight.

Down

A knockdown. Occurs when any part of the fighter's body other than the feet touches the canvas as a result of a punch, or when the fighter is being held up by the ropes.

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