Professional boxing is a combat sport in which two people fight each other using only their fists to score points with clean punches or win by knockout.
According to the Association of Professional Boxing Commissions (APBC), each round lasts three minutes with a one-minute rest in between.
The matches are scored by three judges using the 10-Point Must System.
Referees are responsible for stopping bouts, enforcing rules, and maintaining safety.
Rules Governing Professional Boxing
For a successful match, APBC has outlined unified rules to ensure safe and fair matches between the participants.
These rules cover weight classes, ring setup, officials, equipment, scoring, and conduct in the ring.
- Weight Classes and Weigh-ins
According to APBC, opponents in a boxing contest must compete in the same weight class to ensure fairness.
The Weigh-ins should be conducted under the supervision of the controlling commission, where boxers must weigh 24 to 36 hours before the contest, unless special permission is granted.
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Meanwhile, only approved clothing may be worn during weigh-ins, as overweight boxers are given one hour to make the correct weight.
The controlling commission may also verify the Boxer and Promoter contract prior to the contest.
- Knockdown for a Boxer
In the case of a knockdown, a boxer is given a mandatory eight-count, but not automatically disqualified after three knockdowns in a round.
For a boxer knocked out of the ring, they must receive a 20-second count and remain unassisted.
During the match, they must wear a mouthpiece, and rounds cannot begin without it; points may be deducted if a boxer intentionally spits it out.
A boxer must also wear gloves that are required and regulated by specific weight classes.
Since injuries may occur during the match, ringside medical staff must be present to handle them and ensure a safe time at the match.
- How to handle injuries
If a boxer is seriously injured by a legal hit, the bout may end, and the injured boxer loses by technical knockout (TKO).
However, if a severe injury is caused by intentional fouls, it can lead to:
- Disqualification of the offending boxer if the fight ends immediately.
- Mandatory two-point deduction if the fight continues.
- Technical Decision: if the fight stops after the fourth round, depending on the scorecards.
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APBC argues that boxers who injure themselves while committing fouls are treated as if injured by a fair blow.
Additionally, if an accidental foul stops the bout before four rounds, the result is No Decision, but after four rounds, the result is a Technical Decision based on the current scorecards.
According to the commission, partial or incomplete rounds are scored at judges’ discretion.
Boxers struck by an accidental low blow have up to five minutes to recover or lose the fight.
