REFEREE RULES AND GUIDELINES                                                                                                                                                                                             Updated July 14, 2008                          

APPLICATION OF THE RULES AND GUIDELINES

The purpose of these guidelines is to provide the participants and officials a clear guide as to what rules govern their bout and what referee mechanics are to be in place for each bout. The Association of Boxing Commissions (ABC) strongly recommends that these guidelines and practices be implemented in all championship bouts.

Unless prohibited or overridden by local Commission rules or policies, the Uniform Championship Rules and Guidelines of govern all championship contests held in ABC Member states.

In the event of an issue or dispute regarding a situation that occurs during the bout that is not covered by the Uniform Rules and Guidelines, the local Commission rules will be the final authority.

In the event of an issue or dispute regarding a situation that occurs during the bout that is not covered by the Uniform Championship Rules and Guidelines or the local Commission rules, the Referee; as the sole arbiter, will make a fair decision based on the safety of the boxer. 

1.    BOXER RULES AND EQUIPMENT

The local Commission is the final authority in all equipment matters.

1.1.                 GENERAL RULES

Improper use and/or tampering with any equipment prior to the bout may result in the removal from competition and if during a bout, a point(s) deduction or DISQUALIFICATION will occur.

Only soft contact lenses may be worn.  

The wearing of piercing accessories during competition is prohibited.

Unless specifically noted, female boxers are to follow the Male Bout Specific Rules. 

1.2.                 FEMALE BOUT-SPECIFIC RULES

Female boxers should not use any facial cosmetics and must have their hair secured with soft and non-abrasive materials.

During the bout, female boxers should wear the following equipment:

• Breast protectors optional unless Boxers has implants, then mandatory
• Body shirt
• Mouthpiece (two)
• Trunks (shall go no more than one (1) inch over the pelvic protective girdle)
• Gloves
• Boxing shoes

Additionally, it is strongly recommended that a female boxer wear a fitted genital protector.

1.3. DURATION OF ROUNDS

Female bout rounds are two (2) minutes in duration with a one (1) minute rest period after each round with the exception of the final round. 

Duration of the bout must be noted on the Bout Agreement.

2. MALE BOUT-SPECIFIC RULES

During the bout, male boxers should wear the following equipment:

• Mouthpiece (two)
• Trunks (should go no more than one (1) inch over the genital protector)
• Genital protector
• Gloves
• Boxing shoes

If a male boxer’s hair needs to be secured; only soft and non-abrasive materials should be used. Facial hair should be neatly cropped and can pose a threat to opponent.

3.0.  REGULATORY GUIDELINES FOR WEIGHT CLASSES, WEIGHT DIFFERENCES AND GLOVE

        WEIGHT.

4.0.  WEIGHT LOSS

Weight loss as determined by the local Commission that is detrimental to the health and safety of the participant will not be allowed. 

5.0.  GLOVES

All gloves must be approved by the Commission.

Contestants in all weight classes up to and including the welterweight class (147 pounds) shall wear no less than eight-ounce gloves. In heavier classes, contestants shall wear no less than ten-ounce gloves.

When two contestants differ in weight classes, the contestants shall wear the gloves required for the higher weight classification.

The brand name and color of the gloves will appear on the Boxer(s) Contract.  If it does not, the Commission has the final authority on all glove matters.

Gloves for all events will be new.  No breaking, skinning, roughing or twisting of gloves will be permitted.

6.0.  BANDAGES/WRAPPINGS

The use of water or any liquid or material on any part of the handwrap is strictly prohibited.

Bandages will be adjusted in the dressing room in the presence of both contestants and a Commission representative.  All bandages/wrappings are to be signed off by a Commission representative. Either contestant may waive his privilege of witnessing the bandaging/wrapping of his opponent's hands. 

6.1.  REGULATORY BANDAGES/WRAPPINGS

Bandages will not exceed the following restrictions:

One winding of surgeon's adhesive tape, not over one and one-half inches wide, placed directly on the hand to protect that part of the hand near the wrist. Said tape may cross the back of the hand twice but will not extend within one-inch of the knuckles when the hand is clenched to make a fist.

Contestants will use soft surgical bandage not over two inches wide, held in place by no more than eight (8) feet of surgeon's adhesive tape for each hand. One thirty (30) yard roll of bandage should complete the wrappings for each hand.

7.  SCORING OF THE BOUT

All bouts will be evaluated and scored by three (3) judges who will tabulate their scores on individual round scorecards.

The 10 Points Must System will be the standard system of scoring a bout.

In the event that a bout ends by TECHNICAL DECISION, the Judges will score the partial round.

Unless there is a point deduction(s), a round shall not be scored less than 10-6.

8.  LENGTH OF THE BOUT AND DURATION OF ROUNDS

Each round will be of three (3) minutes duration with a one (1) minute rest period after each round with the exception of the last round.

9.  SOLE ARBITER

The Referee is the sole arbiter and is the only individual authorized to:

Ø  interpret rules and situations

Ø  determine if a blow was legal or a foul and if a foul, if it was intentional or accidental

Ø  declare that an accidental injury has occurrred

The Uniform Rules dictate that only the Referee may stop the bout. However, if local Commission rules allow the Ringside Physician to stop the bout, either the Referee or the Ringside Physician may stop the bout.

10.  SECONDS

There can be no more than four (4) seconds working in each corner.  

Only one (1) second can work the corner inside of the ring, two (2) outside of the ring and one (1) on the floor in the corner during the one (1) minute rest period.

Excessive coaching from the corner and or excessive use of water is prohibited.

All seconds will be under the direct supervision of the Corner Inspector.

Any second who conducts himself or herself in an unruly manner will be removed from the corner.

A violation of the rules or unsportsmanlike tactics as determined by the Referee may also result in administrative discipline up to and including a fine, suspension and or the withholding of pay.

10.1.  CHIEF SECOND

One of the seconds will be deemed the Chief Second.  The Chief Second is responsible for all activities in the corner during the bout. However, for violations, the violating Second is responsible and he or she may be removed from the corner.

If the corner wants the bout stopped in a world or regional championship bout the Chief Second will notify the Inspector.

11.  CORNER STOPPING THE BOUT

It is strongly recommended that if a Chief Second wants to stop the bout, he or she is to inform the Inspector who will then inform the Referee.  Entering the ring during a count or the bout; and interfering will subject the corner’s boxer to a loss by DISQUALIFICATION.

It is recommended that no one throws anything into the ring. If the Chief Second wants the bout stopped and the Referee is not stopping it, simply inform the Inspector. 

Under no circumstances is a Second to enter the ring during competition. Doing so will subject the corner’s boxer to a loss by DISQUALIFICATION.

12.  MANDATORY EIGHT (8) COUNT

The Referee will administer the mandatory eight (8) count after all legal knockdowns.

At his or her discretion, the Referee may terminate the count if the boxer is in need of medical attention.

13.  MOUTHPIECE

It is mandatory that a boxer has a form fitted mouthpiece inside their mouth, set and in place at all times during the competition. It is strongly recommended that all boxers have two (2) form-fitted mouthpieces available for use in each bout.

The round cannot begin without the mouthpiece being set in place inside the boxer’s mouth and set in place.

If the mouthpiece is dislodged during the bout, the Referee will wait until the first opportune moment, without interfering with the action, call time out and have the mouthpiece replaced. 

At the discretion of the Referee, point(s) may be deducted or a DISQUALIFICATION rendered in the following situations:

Ø  If the mouthpiece is not being properly kept inside of the boxer’s mouth

Ø  If the mouthpiece is purposely spit out

Ø  If the corner fails to have the boxer resume boxing with the mouthpiece in place, and or delays in replacing it after it has become dislodged

If the mouthpiece comes out during or concurrent with a knockdown and the Referee determines that a point deduction is warranted, indicate the deduction as you are having the mouthpiece returned to the boxer. Do not bring the boxer into the center of the ring solely to deduct a point.

If the round goes to its natural conclusion, check with the Judges to assure that they deducted the point(s) as instructed from their scorecards.

In cases where a mouthpiece is spit out as determined by the Referee:

Ø  First occurrence: Mandatory one point deduction

Ø  Second occurrence Mandatory one point deduction

Ø  Third occurrence: Mandatory Disqualification

14.  STANDING EIGHT (8) COUNT

There is NO Standing Eight (8) Count.

15.  LEGAL KNOCKDOWN

When a boxer is struck by a legal blow(s) and goes down, the Referee will command “Down!” and signal by pointing to the canvas.

A boxer is deemed downed when struck by a legal blow(s):

Ø  any part other than the soles of his feet touch the canvas

Ø  if he is hanging helplessly on the ropes

Ø  if only the ropes prevent him from being knocked down

The boxer is suggested to be in a downed position when rising from a knockdown.

16.  THREE (3) KNOCKDOWN RULE

The Three (3) Knockdown Rule is not in effect.

If the bout is allowed to continue after a third knockdown in the same round the Referee is to watch the boxer very closely to prevent unnecessary damage to the boxer’s health.

17.  DOUBLE KNOCKDOWNS

If both boxers go down at the same time due to a legal blow, the Referee is to continue the count as long as one boxer is still down.  If both boxers remain down until the count of ten (10), the bout must be stopped and the decision is a TECHNICAL DRAW.

18.  BOXER KNOCKED THROUGH THE ROPES AND ONTO THE RING APRON

As a result of a legal blow a boxer is knocked through the ropes and onto the ring apron, but not completely out of the ring, he or she will receive a ten (10) second count. The boxer must return to a standing and ready position, he or she may only be assisted by a second, before the count elapses. If assisted by anyone other than a Second, (and the action causes an unfair advantage over the opponent) the boxer may lose point(s) or be DISQUALIFIED.

The Referee is the sole authority in deciding whether the boxer received assistance.

19.  BOXER KNOCKED COMPLETELY OUT OF THE RING

As a result of a legal blow a boxer is knocked completely out of the ring and onto the floor, the boxer will receive a twenty (20) second count. The boxer must return to a standing and ready position, unassisted by anyone, before the count elapses.  If assisted by anyone, (and the action causes an unfair advantage over the opponent) the boxer will lose by DISQUALIFICATION. 

In these cases there is a mandatory count of eighteen (18) unless the boxer is determined to be ready before the mandatory count.  

The Referee is the sole authority in deciding whether the boxer received assistance.

20.  BOXER KNOCKED THROUGH THE ROPES, UNTO THE RING APRON AND THEN

       FALLS COMPLETELY OUT OF THE RING.

As a result of a legal blow a boxer is knocked through the ropes and onto the ring apron and then during the count, he falls completely out of the ring and unto the floor, the count will change to a twenty-(20) second count. The boxer must return to a standing and ready position unassisted by anyone before the count elapses. If assisted by anyone, (and the action causes an unfair advantage over the opponent) the boxer will lose by DISQUALIFICATION.

In these cases there is a mandatory count of eighteen (18).

The Referee is the sole authority in deciding whether the boxer received assistance.

21.  BOXER DOWN AGAIN WITHOUT RECEIVING ANOTHER BLOW

As a result of a legal blow a boxer is knocked down and during the mandatory count, he goes down again without receiving another blow, the Referee should continue the count (unless the boxer is obviously hurt and needs immediate medical attention).

22.  BOXER DOWN AFTER THE BELL

The round ends when the bell has been rung.

In the event that legal blows during the round negatively affect a boxer and he or she goes down after the bell has sounded, the Referee will consider that the round is over and that the one (1) minute rest period has begun.

The Referee may then allow the boxer’s corner to assist him or her and/or summon the Ringside Physician to evaluate the boxer.

23.  KNOCKDOWNS AT THE BELL

The bell ending the round should not be sounded by the Timekeeper during a count. In the event that a knockdown occurs at the end of the round and the bell rings, the Referee will disregard the sounding of the bell and continue his mandatory count.

The Timekeeper will ring the bell after the count and the Referee’s evaluation. The boxers are to receive a full one-minute rest period immediately after these situations.

24.  WIPING OF GLOVES

Before a bout can resume after a boxer has been knocked down, fallen or slipped on the floor of the ring, the Referee will wipe his gloves.

25.  SLIPS

If a boxer goes down and the Referee does not announce that it was a legal knockdown, the Referee will command “No Knockdown!” and signal by extending both hands and arms in front of his body criss-crossing them at waist level.

26.  BLOWS AT OR AFTER THE BELL

A blow that strikes a boxer concurrent with the sounding of the bell is deemed to be a legal blow.

A blow that strikes a boxer after the sounding of the bell is deemed to be a foul that the Referee will determine if it was Accidental or Intentional.

Referees are to watch the boxer closely if he or she is struck in the head. Referees are strongly recommended to consult with the Ringside Physician as appropriate.

27.  BLOWS AT OR AFTER THE COMMAND OF “BREAK!” “TIME! OR “STOP!”

A blow that strikes a boxer concurrent with any of these commands is deemed to be a legal blow.

A blow that strikes a boxer after any of these commands is deemed to be a foul that the Referee will determine if it was Accidental or Intentional.

28.  SAVING BY THE BELL

A boxer who has been legally knocked down cannot be saved by the bell in any round.

29.  TERMINATION OF A BOUT DUE TO A FAIR BLOW

If a boxer sustains an injury from a fair blow(s) and the injury is severe enough to immediately terminate the bout, the injured boxer will lose by TECHNICAL KNOCKOUT (TKO).

30.  END OF THE ROUND ANNOUNCEMENT

The Timekeeper will signal the eminent end of each round when there are ten (10) seconds left in the round.

31.  OFFICIAL END OF THE ROUND

The round ends when the bell has been rung.

32.  BEGINNING OF THE ROUND ANNOUNCEMENT

The Timekeeper will signal the eminent beginning of each round when there are ten (10) seconds left in the one-(1) minute rest period.

33.  ACCIDENTAL INJURIES

A case of an accidental injury is when someone or something other than an opponent injures a boxer.

The Referee must immediately declare that an Accidental Injury has occurrred. In these cases the Referee will have the clock stopped and attend to the injury.

When the Referee declares that an accidental injury has occurrred, the Four (4) Round Rule will be applied.

The Referee must consult with the Ringside Physician in all accidental injury cases. The Referee in conjunction with the Ringside Physician will determine the length of time needed to evaluate the affected boxer and his or her suitability to continue.

If the injured boxer is not adversely affected and their chance of winning has not been seriously jeopardized because of the injury, the bout may be allowed to continue after the time allotted by the Referee.

34.  THE FOUR (4) ROUND RULE

The rule will apply to cases where a bout ends before its scheduled duration due to a foul, an accidental injury, or unforeseen circumstances.

The rule is applied after the completion of the Fourth (4) round.

In foul or injury cases, if the bout is allowed to continue after the issue has been addressed, but the foul or injury results in the bout being stopped in a latter round due to legal blows, the Four (4) Round Rule will apply.

34.1.  INTENTIONAL FOUL

If the rule is applied and the bout goes to the scorecards:

After the Fourth (4th) round if the fouled boxer is ahead on the scorecards he or she will win by: TECHNICAL DECISION.

Before the Fourth (4th) round if the fouled boxer is even or behind on the scorecards the result will be a: TECHNICAL DRAW.

If an Intentional Foul causes an injury and the fouled boxer can continue, the Referee will deduct two (2) points from the boxer who committed the foul.

If an Intentional Foul does not cause injury and the fouled boxer can continue, the Referee will deduct one (1) point from the boxer who committed the foul.

Only the Referee can determine if an Intentional Foul causes or does not cause injury.

34.2.  ACCIDENTAL FOUL

If the rule is applied and the bout goes to the scorecards:

After the Fourth (4th) round the boxer who is ahead on the scorecards will win by: TECHNICAL DECISION.

Before the Fourth (4th) round ends it is a: NO DECISION.

Inc cases where the Four (4) Round rule is applied Judges must score the partial round even if the round has to be scored even.

34.3.  ACCIDENTAL INJURY

An Accidental Injury is when someone or something other than the boxer’s opponent injures a boxer.  Only the Referee can determine if an Accidental Injury occurrred.

If the rule is applied and the bout goes to the scorecards:

After the Fourth (4th) round the boxer who is ahead on the scorecards will win by: TECHNICAL DECISION.

Before the Fourth (4th) round ends it is a: NO DECISION.

35.  FOULS

35.1.  REFEREE ACTION ON FOULS

The Referee shall inform the Commission Representative as soon as possible of the following:

Ø  The type of foul

Ø  If the foul was accidental or intentional

Ø  If point(s) will be deducted from the offending boxer

Ø  If the offending boxer will be disqualified

Ø  If the Five (5) minute rule will or will not be applied

Ø  If the Four (4) round rule will or will not be applied

Ø  If the bout will or will not continue

The Referee must declare if a blow was legal or a foul and if a foul, if it was Accidental or Intentional.

Deduction of point(s) for fouls will be done at the time of the infraction.

Decisions to employ the Five (5) minute rule, a temporary bout stoppage, or the Four (4) Round rule are to be based initially on the rules that govern the bout and subsequently on the discretion of the Referee if the rules are unclear. The Referee may consult with the Ringside Physician if necessary. In foul cases, the primary importance is the safety of the boxer and the integrity of the bout.

If an Intentional Foul causes an injury, and the injury is severe enough to immediately terminate the bout, the boxer causing the injury will lose by DISQUALIFICATION.

Deduction of point(s) for Intentional Fouls is mandatory.

36.  FOULS OR UNSPORTSMANLIKE CONDUCT DURING THE ONE (1) MINUTE REST PERIOD.                                                                                     

The one (1) minute rest period is not considered a part of the scoring portion of any round.

If a boxer fouls or acts in an unsportsmanlike manner during the one (1) minute rest period the Referee will admonish or disqualify the offending boxer depending on the severity of the offense.

The Chief Second is responsible for all corner activities. Any illegal activity may cause the Chief Second to be immediately removed from the corner for the entire event.

37.  CONCUSSIVE HEAD IMPACT FOULS

The Referee must consult with the Ringside Physician in all cases involving concussive head impact fouls. The Referee in conjunction with the Ringside Physician will determine the length of time needed to evaluate the affected boxer and his or her suitability to continue.

37.1.  INTENTIONAL

If the Referee determines that a foul to the head was intentional, he will follow the Intentional Foul Rule and guidelines, considering that allowing the bout to continue may subject a boxer to a severe injury. If the affected boxer is not badly injured and their chance of winning has not been seriously jeopardized because of the foul, the bout may be allowed to continue. If the bout is allowed to continue, the offending boxer will be issued an official warning and have two (2) points deducted from his or her score in the round. 

If the Referee determines that the affected boxer cannot continue, the offending boxer will lose by DISQUALIFICATION.

37.2.  ACCIDENTAL