Boxing Glossary

From AIBA to WBO, learn boxing's lingo

AIBA - The Association Internationale de Boxe Amateur (International Boxing Association)
Apron - The part of the boxing ring canvas outside of the ropes
Below the belt - A punch that lands below the waistline
Bleeder - A boxer who has a tendency to cut and bleed
Break - The command a referee uses to indicate boxers should separate if they're clinching or holding
Body shot - A punch delivered to the opponent's body
Bout - A boxing competition that consists of several rounds, up to a maximum of 12
Butt - When two boxers clash heads, either intentionally or by accident

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Caution - A warning from the referee not to foul
Canvas - The floor of the boxing ring
Chief second - The head corner man
Clinch or Hold - When a boxer holds on to his or her opponent
Combination - When a boxer throws more than one punch
Corner - Where the boxers rest in between rounds
Cornerman - People who work with a boxer; usually a cut man and a trainer
Counterpunch - When a boxer throws a punch after the opponent punches first
Cross - A punch that comes from shoulder level and is usually aimed at the head
Cup - A padded protective device to shield the groin area
Cut man - A corner man whose job it is to stop cuts from bleeding
Decision - A result given after the scorecards are tabulated
Feint - A deception to trick the opponent into thinking a certain punch is about to be thrown
Flurry - When a boxer throws several punches at a time
Foul - A breach of the rules
Judge - A person who scores a boxing match
No Contest - When the bout is declared to be over with no decision rendered
Disqualification (DQ) - To be declared the loser because of fouling
Head gear - A protective device that covers most of the head, except the face
Heavy bag - A training device that hangs from the roof, used to develop power punches
Hook - A short power-punch that starts from the shoulder with the elbow bent; the fist travels from the side toward the center
IBF - The International Boxing Federation (pro boxing organization)
IBO - The International Boxing Organization (pro boxing organization)
Infighting - When boxers fight at close quarters without being able to fully extend their arms when punching
Jab - A quick, straight, snapping punch thrown from the shoulder; can be used as an offensive or a defensive weapon
Kidney punch - An illegal blow to the kidney
Knockdown - When any part of a boxer's body other than the feet hit the canvas. A knockdown can also be called when any part of the body is outside the ropes or when a boxer hangs onto the ropes helplessly after being hit
KO - A knockout: when a boxer fails to reach his or her feet by the count of 10
Low blow - A punch below the belt line
Majority decision - If two judges score a bout for a boxer and the third scores it even, the bout is awarded to the boxer by a majority decision. If two judges have the bout even, then the decision is called a majority draw
Match - A boxing competition consisting of several rounds
Mouthpiece - A protective device worn by boxers to shield their teeth, gums and mouth
NABF - The North American Boxing Federation (pro boxing organization)
Neutral corner - A corner of the ring that isn't assigned to either boxer
On the ropes - When a boxer is trapped on the ringside ropes by his or her opponent
Rabbit punch - An illegal punch to the back of the head
Rankings - A list of boxers ordered according to their skill and record
RSC - Referee stops contest; a term usually used in amateur boxing
Reach - The distance measured from fingertip to fingertip with arms extended to the side. You can also measure a boxer's reach from the armpit to fingertips
Referee - The third person in the ring who supervises the match
Reign - A boxer's length of time as a champion
Ropes - These are placed on all four sides of the ring
Round - A period of specific time in which the boxers compete. Pro rounds are three minutes long, and amateur rounds are mainly two minutes long (however, some may be three minutes)
Saved by the bell - When a boxer is knocked down, but the bell rings before the count of 10 can be reached. In some bouts, there is no saving by the bell - the count will continue
Scorecards - The cards on which the judge's official scores are kept
Skipping rope - A training method used by boxers for speed and footwork
Southpaw - A boxer whose dominant hand is the left hand
Sparring - A training session where boxers fight against each other with the use of head gear
Speed bag - A training bag that is used to improve punching speed and coordination
Split decision - When two judges score a bout for one boxer and the other judge scores it for the other boxer
Standing eight count - When the referee judges that a boxer has been significantly hurt, he or she may render a count of eight before allowing the boxer to continue
Tale of the tape - This is a combination of a boxer's reach, weight and other physical measurements, such as the fist, forearm, biceps, calf, waist or chest
Technical draw - When a bout is stopped because of an accidental foul before four rounds are completed
Three-knockdown rule - A rule that states a fight must be stopped if a boxer is knocked down three times in the same round
Throw in the towel - When a corner man throws a towel into the ring to stop the bout. This usually happens when the corner man's boxer is in trouble. However, the referee can choose to ignore the towel
Title - A championship belt or crown
Title defense - When a champion defends his or her championship title
TKO - Technical knockout; when the referee stops the bout because a boxer is in trouble
Turnbuckle - The padded section of the ring ropes in each corner of the ring
Unanimous decision - When all of the judges score the bout for the same boxer
Uppercut - A punch thrown upward, usually at close quarters
Weigh-in - The event before a bout where both boxers must weigh in to make sure they're not overweight
Wrap - A thin cloth material used to wrap a boxer's hands before the gloves are put on
WBA - The World Boxing Association - (pro boxing organization)
WBC - The World Boxing Commission (pro boxing organization)
WBO - The World Boxing Organization (pro boxing organization)

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