1. Number and length of rounds

  1. No bout of professional boxing shall be scheduled for more than 12 rounds.
  2. Each bout of professional boxing shall be scheduled for 4, 6, 8, 10 or 12 rounds.
  3. Each round shall be scheduled for no more than three minutes.
  4. There shall be a one-minute rest period between rounds.

2. Contestant apparel and equipment

  1. Contestants shall wear:
    1. boxing trunks that shall not be shorter than mid-thigh, not cover the knee and not be worn above the belt line
    2. appropriate footwear, such as shoes or light boots of a soft material, without heels, cleats, spikes or hard soles
    3. a foul-proof abdominal guard
    4. a mouthpiece
  2. Contestants may wear:
    1. form-fitting compression tights, without padding, under their boxing trunks
    2. an ankle support or wraps of gauze and tape over their ankles, if covered by a shoe or boot
    3. a form-fitted knee support, which must not be abrasive, have no metal or plastic parts, and have no strapping or padding
  3. Contestants shall not wear:
    1. any supportive tape or wraps, other than those allowed in Part I: Section 7 Hand Wraps
    2. any support or brace other those allowed in 2.2
    3. headgear
  4. Contestants who are men shall not wear a shirt.
  5. Contestants who are women:
    1. shall wear a sleeveless form-fitting rash guard, sports bra or other similar garment
    2. may wear a breast protector or cup protector, which shall:
      1. be confined to the natural contours of the breast, so as not to provide extra protection
      2. not shield any target area of the body, including the breastbone
      3. have no metal parts other than a fastening at the back of the contestant

3. Officials required to be present

  1. No bout of professional boxing shall begin without:
    1. a referee in the ring
    2. a ringside medical practitioner, assigned by the Commissioner, seated in close proximity of the neutral steps
    3. a paramedic or an individual with the qualifications of a paramedic within the meaning of the Ambulance Act, seated in close proximity to a ringside medical practitioner
    4. three judges, seated immediately outside of the ring or fenced area on separate sides
    5. a timekeeper, seated immediately outside of the ring or fenced area, on a side that is not occupied by any of the judges, and in close proximity to a ringside medical practitioner assigned by the Commissioner
    6. a knockdown timekeeper, seated beside the timekeeper
    7. a scorekeeper, seated immediately outside of the ring, in close proximity to the timekeeper
    8. two equipment supervisors, one seated in close proximity to the seconds of each contestant

4. Persons permitted in the ring

  1. No persons other than the contestants, the referee and the ringside medical practitioner assigned by the Commissioner may be in the ring during the progress of a round.

5. Stopping a bout

  1. The referee and the ringside practitioner assigned by the Commissioner are the only persons authorized to stop a bout prior to its scheduled conclusion.

6. Pre-bout procedures

  1. The referee shall inspect each contestant upon arrival to the ring to make sure no foreign substances have been applied to either the gloves or any part of a contestant’s head or body to the detriment of the opponent, except a light application of petroleum jelly on the eyebrows, under the eyes, on the bridge of the nose and behind the ears.
  2. The referee shall call contestants together before the bout for final instructions, at which time each contestant shall be accompanied by their lead second.
  3. The contestants, after receiving instructions, may touch gloves and return to their corners.

7. Timekeeper

  1. A timekeeper shall be equipped with:
    1. at least two accurate stopwatches or similar devices for keeping time
    2. a bell with a metal hammer or similar device
    3. a wooden clapper or similar device
    4. a whistle
  2. On the referee’s signal, the timekeeper shall begin the first round of a bout by sounding the bell or similar device and starting a stopwatch or similar device.
  3. Ten seconds prior to the end of each round, the timekeeper shall give warning to the contestants by sounding the wooden clapper or similar device.
  4. At the end of the round, the timekeeper shall sound the bell or similar device, unless the referee is counting a count of 10 for a knocked down contestant. If the knocked down contestant rises before the referee reaches the count of 10, and the round has already ended, the timekeeper shall immediately sound the bell or similar device.
  5. The timekeeper shall use a stopwatch or similar device to time a one-minute rest period between rounds.
  6. Ten seconds prior to the end of the rest period between rounds, the timekeeper shall give warning to the contestants and seconds by blowing the whistle.
  7. At the end of the rest period between rounds, the timekeeper shall signal the beginning of the next round by sounding the bell or similar device, but only where the seconds have left the ring and removed any obstructions.
  8. If at any time during the progress of a bout the referee signals a timeout, the timekeeper shall pause the stopwatch or similar device and shall only restart it when the referee signals to do so.
  9. If the referee has signaled a timeout due to an injury, the timekeeper shall start a second stopwatch or similar timekeeping device, and signal to the referee when five minutes have elapsed if the bout has not otherwise resumed.
  10. If a bout is stopped before the scheduled number of rounds ends, the timekeeper shall inform the scorekeeper of the exact duration of the bout.

8. Fouls

  1. The following are fouls:
    1. hitting below the belt line
    2. hitting an opponent who is down, is getting up after being down or who is hanging helplessly over the ropes
    3. holding an opponent with one hand and hitting with the other
    4. excessive holding or deliberately maintaining a clinch
    5. wrestling, kicking, or biting
    6. grabbing or holding the ropes
    7. butting with the head or shoulder
    8. hitting with the open glove, or with the butt of the hand, the wrist, the forearm, the elbow, the knee, and all backhand blows
    9. deliberately hitting behind the head
    10. deliberately hitting over the kidneys
    11. spinning and hitting
    12. excessive taunting, abusive language or gestures
    13. any conduct detrimental to the integrity of the sport
    14. hitting on the break
    15. hitting after the bell has sounded ending the round, including the last round
    16. hitting an opponent who is entangled in the ropes
    17. pushing an opponent
    18. continuous dropping of the mouthpiece
    19. striking a blow during intervention by the referee
    20. timidity

9. Warnings, deductions and disqualifications

  1. If a foul is committed during a bout, the referee shall, in their discretion, determine if the foul is accidental or intentional.

Accidental fouls

  1. If a contestant commits an accidental foul, the referee may, in their discretion, giving consideration to the severity of the foul and the number and severity of fouls committed by the contestant over the duration of the bout:
    1. issue a warning to the contestant who committed the foul
    2. deduct one or two points from the contestant who committed the foul
    3. disqualify the contestant who committed the foul
  2. If an accidental foul causes an injury severe enough for the referee or ringside medical practitioner to stop the bout, the bout will result in no contest if stopped before four completed rounds.
  3. If an accidental foul causes an injury severe enough for the referee or ringside medical practitioner to stop the bout following the completion of the fourth round:
    1. the judges shall score incomplete rounds, if the bout is stopped during the progress of a round
    2. the bout will result in:
      1. a technical decision awarded to the contestant who is ahead on the judges’ score cards at the time the bout is stopped
      2. a technical draw if the judges’ score cards are even at the time the bout is stopped
  4. A contestant who is struck with an accidental low blow shall continue in the bout after a reasonable amount of time but not more than five minutes, or they will lose the bout by technical knockout.

Intentional fouls

  1. If a contestant commits an intentional foul, the referee shall:
    1. deduct up to two points from the contestant who committed the foul, if the foul did not cause an injury
    2. deduct two points from the contestant who committed the foul, if the foul caused an injury
    3. disqualify the contestant who committed the foul.
  2. If an intentional foul causes an injury, and the injury is severe enough for the referee or ringside medical practitioner to stop the bout immediately, the contestant causing the injury shall lose by disqualification.
  3. If an intentional foul causes an injury and the bout is allowed to continue, and the same injury results in the bout being stopped by the referee or ringside medical practitioner before the completion of the fourth round, the bout will result in a no contest.
  4. If an intentional foul causes an injury and the bout is allowed to continue, and the same injury results in the bout being stopped by the referee or ringside medical practitioner following the completion of the fourth round:
    1. the judges shall score incomplete rounds, if the bout is stopped during the progress of a round, and the bout will result in:
      1. a technical decision awarded to the injured contestant, if they are ahead on the judges’ score cards at the time the bout is stopped
      2. a technical draw, if the injured contestant is behind or even on the judges’ score cards at the time the bout is stopped

Foul procedures

  1. To deduct a point, a referee shall:
    1. signal timeout to the timekeeper
    2. order the fouled contestant to a neutral corner
    3. stand in front of the offending contestant, and advise them of the foul
    4. notify each judge and the scorekeeper of the number of points deducted and type of foul
    5. signal time to the timekeeper to continue the bout

Consultation of ringside medical practitioners

  1. Contestants injured severely enough by a foul to require consultation with the ringside medical practitioner may, at the discretion of the referee, be given a reasonable recovery time not to exceed five minutes.

Consultation of judges

  1. If an injury occurs due to a suspected foul that the referee was unable to see, the referee may, in their discretion, consult the judges to determine if the injury occurred as a result of a foul.

10. Injuries

Accidental injuries

  1. If the referee determines that an injury has been caused due to someone or something other than an action of the contestant or their opponent, the referee shall declare an accidental injury and allow the injured contestant a reasonable recovery time, not to exceed five minutes.
  2. If the accidental injury is severe enough for the referee or ringside medical practitioner to stop the bout, the bout will result in no contest if stopped before the completion of the fourth round.
  3. If a contestant continues in the bout following an accidental injury and the same injury results in the bout being stopped by the referee or medical practitioner following the completion of the fourth round:
    1. the judges shall score incomplete rounds, if the bout is stopped during the progress of a round
      1. the bout will result in a technical decision awarded to the contestant who is ahead on the judges’ score cards at the time the bout is stopped or
      2. a technical draw if the judges’ score cards are even at the time the bout is stopped

Self-injuries

  1. If the referee determines that an injured contestant was responsible for their own injury, the referee shall not penalize their opponent in any manner and shall treat the injury the same as an injury produced by a fair blow. If the referee or medical practitioner determines that the contestant is unable to continue due to the self-injury, they will lose by technical knockout.

11. Unforeseen circumstances

  1. In instances where a bout has to be concluded due to unforeseen circumstances, the bout will result in a no contest if stopped before the completion of the fourth round.
  2. In instances where a bout has to be concluded due to unforeseen circumstances not related to the conduct of the bout following the completion of the fourth round:
    1. the judges shall score incomplete rounds, if the bout is stopped during the progress of a round
      1. the bout will result in a technical decision awarded to the contestant who is ahead on the judges’ score cards at the time the bout is stopped or
      2. a technical draw if the judges’ score cards are even at the time the bout is stopped

12. Blows struck at the end of a round

  1. A fair blow that strikes a contestant concurrent with the sounding of the bell or similar device to signal the end of the round shall be deemed to be a legal blow.

13. Dislodged mouthpieces

  1. If a contestant’s mouthpiece is involuntarily dislodged during the progress of a round, the referee shall call timeout, clean the mouthpiece, and reinsert the mouthpiece at the first opportune moment, without interfering with the immediate action.
  2. If the referee determines that a contestant has deliberately spit out their mouthpiece, the referee may issue a warning to such contestant or deduct one or more points from such contestant and, upon any subsequent infraction, may disqualify the contestant.

14. Knockdowns

  1. A contestant shall be considered to be down when:
    1. the contestant touches the floor of the ring with any part of the body other than the soles of their feet
    2. only the ring ropes prevented them from being knocked down or
    3. the contestant is being held up by the ring ropes

Knockdown timekeeper

  1. When a contestant is down, the knockdown timekeeper shall immediately stand and count one-second intervals in a loud clear voice, indicating the count to the referee with a motion of their arm and upraised fingers.
  2. The knockdown timekeeper shall continue their count until the referee has taken up the count or waved off the knockdown.

Knockdown procedure

  1. Notwithstanding anything else in this ruleset, if in the opinion of the referee a contestant who is down for any reason requires immediate medical attention, the referee may immediately stop the bout.
  2. If, in the opinion of the referee, a contestant is down for any reason other than a legal blow struck by their opponent, the referee shall immediately wave off the knockdown by calling “no knockdown” and extending both arms in front of their body at waist level and waving them in a criss-crossing motion.
  3. When a contestant is knocked down as a result of a legal blow struck by their opponent, the referee shall immediately call “down” and signal by pointing to the ring floor.
  4. After calling a contestant down, the referee shall order the contestant’s opponent to the farthest neutral corner and shall thereafter pick up the count from the knockdown timekeeper.
  5. The referee shall continue the count of one-second intervals, in a loud clear voice, indicating the count to with a motion of their arm and upraised fingers.
  6. If a contestant who is down rises before the count of 10 is reached and immediately goes down again without being struck by a blow, the referee shall resume the count where it was left off.
  7. A contestant who is knocked down shall not be allowed to continue in the bout until after the referee has finished a mandatory count to eight.
  8. Should the opponent fail to stay in the farthest neutral corner, the referee may cease counting until they have returned to it, and then continue with the count from the point at which it was interrupted.
  9. Before a contestant that has fallen, slipped or been knocked down can continue in the bout, the referee shall wipe the contestant’s gloves clean.
  10. If a contestant taking the count is still down when the referee reaches the count of 10, or if the referee determines that a knocked down contestant requires immediate medical attention, the referee shall wave both arms above their head to indicate that the contestant has been knocked out and declare their opponent the winner of the bout by knockout.
  11. If both contestants go down at the same time, as a result of a legal blow struck by their opponent, the referee shall continue a count of one-second intervals as long as one of the contestants is down.
    1. If one contestant rises before the count of 10, and the other contestant remains down after the count of 10, the first contestant to rise shall be declared the winner by knockout.
    2. If both contestants stay down for a count of 10, the bout will be stopped and the decision will be a technical draw.
  12. A constant may not be saved by the bell in any round. If a contestant taking the count is still down when time in the round expires, the timekeeper shall not sound the bell until after the referee has finished a mandatory count to eight.

Contestant knocked through the ropes

  1. If, as a result of a legal blow, a contestant is knocked through the ropes, but remains on the ring platform, the referee shall begin the knockdown procedure.
  2. To continue in the bout, a contestant who is knocked outside of the ropes shall be required to return unassisted to a standing and ready position inside of the ring ropes prior to the referee reaching the count of 10.
  3. If during the count to 10 the contestant falls off the ring platform, the contestant shall be required to return unassisted to a standing and ready position inside of the ring ropes prior to the referee reaching the count of 20.
  4. If, in the opinion of the referee, the contestant receives any assistance which causes an unfair advantage, they may be deducted points or disqualified.

Contestant knocked through the ropes and off the ring platform

  1. If, as a result of a legal blow, a contestant is knocked through the ropes and off the ring platform, the referee shall begin the knockdown procedure.
  2. To continue in the bout, a contestant who is knocked outside of the ropes and off the ring platform shall be required to return to a standing and ready position inside of the ring ropes prior to the referee reaching the count of 20.
  3. If, in the opinion of the referee, the contestant receives any assistance which causes an unfair advantage, they may be deducted points or disqualified.

Three knockdown rule

  1. In a non-championship bout, if a contestant is knocked down three times in a round by their opponent, the referee shall stop the bout and declare the knocked down contestant the loser by technical knockout.
  2. In a championship bout, if a contestant is knocked down three times in a round by their opponent, the referee may, in their discretion, allow the bout to continue if they are of the opinion it does not represent an immediate threat to the health and safety of the knocked down contestant.

No standing eight count

  1. The referee shall not in the absence of a knock down stop the action between two contestants to begin a count to eight for one of the contestants.

15. Judging and scoring criteria

  1. All bouts shall be scored by three judges.
  2. In scoring a round, judges shall take into consideration, in order of priority:
    1. effective punching, including the power, number and accuracy of punches thrown and landed
    2. ring generalship, including the ability to take advantage of opportunities to cope with situations as they arise, to foresee and neutralize the opponent’s method of attack and to force the opponent to adopt a style at which they are not skillful or which is to their disadvantage
    3. effective aggressiveness, including forcing the bout with skillful attack in an attempt to win the round
    4. effective defence, including avoiding or blocking blows or preventing the opponent from landing blows
  3. At the end of each round, each judge shall determine the winning contestant of that round by awarding them a gross score of ten points and by awarding a gross score of nine or less points to the opponent, depending on the judgment as to the degree to which the opponent lost the round. No fraction of points may be awarded. If, in the opinion of the judge, the round is even, each contestant shall receive ten points.
  4. Judges shall use the following scoring guideline for the purpose of informing their scores.
Rounds with no knockdowns
Contestant A scoreContestant B scoreScoring guideline
1010Contestant A and Contestant B are even in all aspects of the judging criteria, neither contestant has demonstrated any advantage and a winner of the round cannot be determined.
109Contestant A has demonstrated a close, moderate or decisive advantage in the judging criteria over Contestant B.
108Contestant A has demonstrated overwhelming dominance in the judging criteria over Contestant B throughout the duration of the round, but has not knocked down Contestant B.
Rounds with one knockdown
Contestant A scoreContestant B scoreScoring guideline
109Contestant B is knocked down but has otherwise demonstrated overwhelming dominance in the judging criteria over Contestant A throughout the duration of the round.
108Contestant A has demonstrated a close, moderate or decisive advantage in the judging criteria over Contestant B, including a knockdown of Contestant B.
108Contestant B is knocked down, but has otherwise demonstrated a close to decisive but not overwhelming advantage in the judging criteria over Contestant A.
107Contestant A has demonstrated overwhelming dominance in the judging criteria over Contestant B throughout the duration of the round, including a knockdown of Contestant B.
Rounds with more than one knockdown
Contestant A scoreContestant B scoreScoring guideline
109Contestant A and Contestant B have been knocked down an equal number of times in a round, but Contestant A has otherwise demonstrated a close, moderate or decisive advantage in the judging criteria.
108Contestant A is knocked down once, and Contestant B is knocked down twice, in a round that Contestant A has otherwise demonstrated a close, moderate or decisive advantage in the judging criteria over Contestant B.
107Contestant A has demonstrated a close, moderate or decisive advantage in the judging criteria over Contestant B, including two knockdowns of Contestant B.
106Contestant A has demonstrated overwhelming dominance in the judging criteria over Contestant B throughout the duration of the round, including two knockdowns of Contestant B.
106Contestant A has demonstrated a clear, moderate or decisive advantage in the judging criteria over Contestant B, including three knockdowns of Contestant B.
  1. Following the conclusion of the round, each judge shall mark their scorecard with:
    1. the gross score of each contestant
    2. points deducted by the referee, if any
    3. the net score for each contestant
  2. The judges shall only score knockdowns and point deductions at the exclusive direction of the referee.
  3. An official assigned by the Commissioner shall collect the scorecards of each judge at the end of each round, who shall in turn deliver the scorecards to the scorekeeper, who shall tally the scores of each judge.

16. Bout results

  1. A bout of professional boxing shall have one of the following results:

Knockouts and technical knockouts

  1. Knockout, if a knocked down contestant fails to rise to a standing and ready position before the referee reaches the count of 10; or if, in the opinion of the referee, the contestant who was knocked down requires immediate medical attention.
  2. Technical knockout, if:
    1. the referee stops the bout
    2. the ringside medical practitioner stops the bout
    3. a contestant in a non-championship bout is knocked down three times in a round
    4. a contestant retires from the bout between rounds
    5. a contestant is unable to continue due to an injury sustained as a result of a legal blow
    6. a contestant is unable to continue due to a self-injury
    7. a contestant is unable to continue after five minutes, following an accidental low blow or
    8. a contestant’s lead second has requested that the referee stop the bout

Decisions

  1. Unanimous decision, when all three judges score the bout for the same contestant.
  2. Split decision, when two judges score the bout for one contestant and one judge scores for the opponent.
  3. Majority decision, when two judges score the bout for the same contestant and one judge scores a draw.

Draws

  1. Unanimous draw, when all three judges score the bout a draw.
  2. Majority draw, when two judges score the bout a draw.
  3. Split draw, when one judge scores the bout for one contestant, one judge scores the bout for the opponent, and one judge scores the bout a draw.

Technical decisions

  1. Technical decision, when:
    1. an accidental foul causes an injury that results in the bout being stopped by the referee or ringside medical practitioner following the completion of the fourth round, and either contestant is ahead on the judges’ score cards at the time the bout is stopped, or
    2. an accidental injury results in the bout being stopped by the referee or ringside medical practitioner following the completion of the fourth round, and either contestant is ahead on the judges’ score cards at the time the bout is stopped, or
    3. an intentional foul causes an injury that results in the bout being stopped by the referee or ringside medical practitioner following the completion of the fourth round, and the injured contestant is ahead on the judges’ score cards at the time the bout is stopped

Technical draws

  1. Technical draw, when:
    1. an accidental foul causes an injury that results in the bout being stopped by the referee or ringside medical practitioner following the completion of the fourth round, and the judges’ score cards are even at the time the bout is stopped
    2. an accidental injury, not caused by a foul, results in the bout being stopped by the referee or ringside medical practitioner following the completion of the fourth round, and the judges’ score cards are even at the time the bout is stopped
    3. an intentional foul causes an injury that results in the bout being stopped by the referee or ringside medical practitioner following the completion of the fourth round, if the injured contestant is behind or even on the judges’ score cards at the time the bout is stopped
    4. if both contestants knock each other down, and both stay down for a count of 10.

No contests

  1. No contest when:
    1. an accidental foul causes an injury that results in the bout being stopped by the referee or ringside medical practitioner before the completion of the fourth round
    2. an accidental injury, not caused by a foul, results in the bout being stopped by the referee or ringside medical practitioner before the completion of the fourth round
    3. an intentional foul causes an injury and the bout is allowed to continue, and the same injury results in the bout being stopped by the referee or ringside medical practitioner before the completion of the fourth round
    4. a bout has to be concluded due to unforeseen circumstances not related to the conduct of the bout, if stopped before the completion of the fourth round.

Disqualifications

  1. Disqualification when the referee disqualifies a contestant for any reason.