Olympic (amateur) Boxing – quick guide to tournament rules

This is a brief unofficial guide to the major rules for amateur competition. To see the full international and national rules, click "Constitution" menu tab at left.

The fundamental rules governing amateur boxing are the same throughout the world, and are used from local tournaments all the way up to the Olympic Games by all national associations affiliated with the international amateur boxing organisation ("AIBA").

These rules are obligatory for amateur boxing associations affiliated with Boxing Australia Inc. In Australia, there are some amateur boxing associations NOT affiliated with Boxing Australia; you should be aware that only those boxers affiliated with Boxing Australia are eligible to represent Australia at international events including the Commonwealth Games and Olympic Games.

Registration

You cannot compete until you have registered as a boxer with your state boxing association affiliated to Boxing Australia. You should see your coach about registering as he or she must be satisfied that you are ready to compete.

Upon registration you are issued with a blue Boxer Competition Record Book.  You must then have a full medical examination, the results of which are written into your blue book. You must have a follow-up medical examination annually, and it must be documented in your blue book.

To compete at an event, make sure you have your coach's agreement that he/she will be available to corner you at that event. You must attend the weigh-in at the specified time; late-comers miss out. You produce your blue book to verify that you are registered and have had a full medical exam in the last 12 months. You will be weighed and given a pre-bout medical check to make sure you are still fit to compete. This pre-bout medical check does NOT take the place of your annual medical examination, and you CANNOT expect the boxing medical officer to give you a full medical exam on the day.

If you are not registered, or do not have your blue book, or do not have proof of a current medical exam in your blue book, you will not be permitted to weigh in. This is for your safety, and officials will not make exceptions to these rules.

Grooming, clothing and equipment for tournaments

Always bring your competition record book to the weigh-in. You must bring a red and a blue singlet so you can wear a singlet with the colour of the corner you are allocated. It is recommended that you wear headgear of the correct colour. If you are not clearly and quickly identifiable as “red” or “blue” then a judge may make an error and award your punch to the wrong corner. This is a risk during a busy bout with lots of fast action, especially with computer scoring.

 Definition of a scoring punch

Judges award points to a boxer for each scoring punch s/he lands. A scoring punch is one that:

A non-scoring punch is one which infringes the rules; or which lands on the arms; or is struck with any part other than the knuckle part of the closed glove; or which merely connects, without the weight of the body or shoulder. Non-scoring punches are (obviously) not scored by the judges.

Fouls

Rule infringements are called "fouls" and the referee will issue a caution, a warning or even a disqualification.

These actions are fouls:

Age divisions (for both genders)

The minimum age for boxer registration in Australia is 10, but may be higher in some states. Note that currently women and girls are prohibited by law from boxing in New South Wales, though they may train and register as boxers; however they can only compete interstate.

 Age division crossovers

Under-19 boxers (ie aged 17 or 18) can compete in their own age division or may elect to compete in the Senior (17+) division. Boxers under 17 may box an adult only with the approval of the senior judge/referee officials, which approval will be with-held if the age difference is considered excessive.

 Weight divisions for selections and titles

For male boxers 17 and over, the upper limit of each weight category is: 48, 51, 54, 57, 60, 64, 69, 75, 81, 91kg, and 91+ kg (no limit).

For under-17s and female boxers the divisions are 46, 48, 50, 52, 54, 57, 60, 63, 66, 70, 75, 80, & 86 kilograms. (For younger boxers weighing below the 46kg division, 2kg increments from 22kg up are used).

In selections and titles, these weight divisions are mandatory. In other bouts, matching across weight divisions is acceptable provided the weight difference between the boxers is minimal.

Duration and number of rounds

Bouts are 3 rounds of two minutes duration, with a one-minute rest break between rounds. Anyone weighing 46kg or less boxes three rounds of one-and-a-half minutes only. Males aged 17-33 may box 4 rounds, and must do so in a title bout.

Touching gloves/shaking hands

When you are about to start your bout, the referee will call you to the centre of the ring to “touch gloves” as a sign of sportsmanship, then send you back to your corner ready for the bell. You must NOT touch gloves in this way during the actual bout. You can (and should) shake hands after the decision is announced. Do not leave the ring till any prizes or trophies have been presented.

Referee commands

The  referee uses three commands  – Box, Stop, and Break. You must stop immediately you hear the referee call STOP, and may not continue till you are told to BOX. The command BREAK is used when two boxers get entangled, and it requires you each to take a full step back then continue boxing. BREAK does not mean take a rest, nor drop your guard!

Types of decision

You can win a bout by one of the following methods:

The Eight-Count and Compulsory Count Limit

Where a boxer is temporarily unable to defend him/herself (eg after receiving a hard blow), the referee stops the contest and counts to eight. Immediately the count begins, the other boxer must go to a neutral (white) corner and stand with hands at his/her side facing the centre of the ring.

If at the end of the count of eight, the injured boxer cannot safely continue (in the referee’s opinion), the contest is terminated and the injured boxer loses the bout (RSC). The contest is also terminated if a boxer receives too many eight-counts. For senior males, the compulsory count limit is invoked at 3 counts in a round or 4 in a bout. For those under 17, and females and masters, it is 2 counts in a round or 3 in a bout. This is also recorded as RSC.

Your Safety - Mandatory Exclusion periods

If you lose a contest by Knockout or RSC (Head), you are prohibited from sparring or competing for 28 days, to ensure you are recovered. If you receive another exclusion within 3 months of the first, the second exclusion is for 3 months.

Exhibition bouts

In non-title situations, if you cannot be matched with a suitable opponent the matchmaker may agree to an exhibition bout with a boxer who is not in your age or weight category. In exhibitions the boxers are required to focus on skill and to reduce the intensity of their punches. There is no winner.

Disclaimer

This is a quick reference for boxers and coaches. It does not cover all circumstances and does not replace the AIBA Rules nor any rules of Boxing Australia or its affiliated state bodies.