Boxing (WBA/IBF) — Official Rules

Within a Competition, each Bout consists of three (3) rounds with two (2) rest periods between the rounds. Men and Women compete in their respective Age and Weight Categories, progressing through preliminaries, quarter-finals, semi-finals and the final. World Boxing Competitions generally use a single-elimination format, though the Executive Board may approve other formats (double elimination, repechage, round robin, plate, YOG format) when suitable.

The duration of the rounds is three (3) minutes for Elite and U19 Age Category Competitions, and two (2) minutes for U17 Age Category Competitions. The duration of the rest periods between rounds is one (1) minute for all Competitions.

Competitions owned by World Boxing include the World Boxing Championships (Elite), the U19 World Boxing Championships, the Continental Boxing Championships (Elite), the World Boxing Cup and the World Boxing Cup Finals. Sanctioned competitions include boxing at Multi-Sport Games, U17/U19 and other non-Elite Continental Championships, and the World Boxing Challenge. As the IOC-recognised international federation, World Boxing will sanction boxing at the Summer Olympic Games from 2028.

Age is determined by calendar year of birth. Elite Boxers are aged 19 to 40; U19 Boxers are aged 17 to 18; U17 Boxers are aged 15 to 16; and U15 Boxers are aged 13 to 14 (the U15 category is regulated by Confederations and National Federations).

From 1 January 2025 the ten Elite Men's weight categories are: Flyweight (≤50kg), Bantamweight (≤55kg), Lightweight (≤60kg), Welterweight (≤65kg), Light Middleweight (≤70kg), Middleweight (≤75kg), Light Heavyweight (≤80kg), Cruiserweight (≤85kg), Heavyweight (≤90kg) and Super Heavyweight (90+kg). These ten categories replaced the previous structure (M51–M92+) used until 31 December 2024.

From 1 January 2025 the ten Elite Women's weight categories are: Light Flyweight (≤48kg), Flyweight (≤51kg), Bantamweight (≤54kg), Featherweight (≤57kg), Lightweight (≤60kg), Welterweight (≤65kg), Light Middleweight (≤70kg), Middleweight (≤75kg), Light Heavyweight (≤80kg) and Heavyweight (80+kg, named W81+).

Weigh-ins generally take place in the mornings, and a Boxer must make weight on the day they box. A Boxer is allowed at the official scales only once per day; the weight shown with the body naked or in underwear is the official weight. A Boxer's weight must not exceed the maximum limit of the category, and at the first official weigh-in must exceed the minimum limit; failing either results in a walkover (WO) for the opponent. The time from the end of the Daily Weigh-In to the first Bout of the day must be at least three (3) hours.

The ring must measure a minimum 6.10 m inside the ropes on all four sides, with the apron extending a minimum of 61 cm on each side, so the overall platform is at least 7.4 m long and wide. The platform stands at a height of 100 cm from the ground, with padding of 1.5 cm to 3.0 cm thickness covered by a non-slip canvas.

The ring has four (4) ropes on each side at heights of 40, 70, 100 and 130 cm from the canvas, each rope a minimum of 4 cm thick and padded. Ropes are joined on each side at equal intervals by two ties 5–10 cm wide. The four corner pads, facing the Technical Delegate, are: near-left red, far-left white, far-right blue, near-right white.

Boxers wear red or blue gloves matching their corner, fastened with a Velcro closure covered by 5 cm wide tape. Gloves weigh 284 g (≈10 oz) or 340 g (≈12 oz) (±5% tolerance), with the leather no more than half the total weight. 10 oz gloves are used for all Women's categories, all U17 Men, and Men from Flyweight (M50kg) to Welterweight (M65kg); 12 oz gloves are used for Men from Light Middleweight (M70kg) to Super Heavyweight (M90+kg).

Headguards (red or blue, matching the corner) are mandatory in all U17 and U19 competitions and in Elite Women's competitions, but Elite Men must not wear a headguard. The headguard weighs a maximum 450 g (≈16 oz), comes in four sizes (S/M/L/XL) with 2–3 cm padding and a Velcro closure. (The re-introduction of headguards for Elite Men is under review for Congress 2026.)

Boxers wear a uniform predominantly red or blue matching their corner, and a gumshield (intentionally spitting it out without a blow draws a mandatory warning; a third unintentional loss also draws a warning). A groin protector is worn by men and a breast protector is permitted for women. Kinesiology tape may be applied only from the waist down and to the back of the body.

Each Bout is officiated by one Referee inside the ring and five (5) Judges ringside who score each round independently per the Scoring Criteria. Judges' scores are not visible to the Referee or other Judges in the Field of Play. The Referee controls the bout but does not score it.

Up to three (3) Seconds may accompany a Boxer, but only two (2) may mount the apron and only one (1) may enter the ring during rest periods. Seconds must clear the ring before each round begins. A Second may signal retirement (Abandonment) by mounting the apron and throwing the towel into the ring when the Boxer cannot continue — except while the Referee is counting. During a cut, only adrenaline 1/1000 and non-petroleum jelly may be applied.

Scoring uses the "Ten Point Must" System. In each round every Judge independently awards the winner 10 points and the loser 9 or fewer, with 7 as the minimum score for the loser. Every round must have a declared winner — no round can be scored as a draw. Judges must push the scoring button within five (5) seconds of the end-of-round bell; scores transmit directly to the system and cannot be altered afterwards.

The round winner is decided by three criteria, in order of importance: (1) number of scoring blows to the target area, (2) technical and tactical superiority, (3) competitiveness. A scoring blow must connect cleanly with the knuckle surface of the glove, carry body or shoulder weight, break no rules, and be clearly seen by the Judge. The target area is the front and sides of the head and torso (above the beltline); the back of the head, neck, throat, spine, lower back, and below the beltline are not scoring areas.

10-9 (close round): the difference in scoring blows is not large, or the round is decided on quality, technical/tactical superiority or competitiveness — a round may still be 10-9 even with a standing eight count or a knockdown. 10-8 (clear winner): a clear winner from a large difference in scoring blows, or a smaller difference plus a standing eight count or knockdown. 10-7 (total dominance): one Boxer is completely dominant in all criteria, typically with a large blow difference and possibly a count or knockdown.

The Referee controls the bout with four commands: "Stop" (stop boxing), "Box" (start or continue), "Break" (break a clinch), and "Time" (order the Timekeeper to stop the clock and the Boxers to stop). After a Stop or Time command the Referee uses explanatory signs and gestures to indicate any infringement.

Fouls include: hitting below the belt (low blow), with the head, shoulder, forearm or elbow, with an open glove, the inside of the glove, the wrist or side of the hand; hitting the back of the head/neck (rabbit punch) or a kidney punch; a pivot or backhand blow; holding, holding and hitting, locking an arm or head; tripping, kicking, butting, biting, spitting; pushing; using the ropes unfairly; hitting an opponent who is down or rising; passive defence; and not stepping back on "Break". Such acts may incur a caution, warning or disqualification.

At the Referee's discretion a Boxer who disobeys instructions, fouls or boxes unsportingly may be cautioned, warned, or disqualified. Each warning reduces the offender's total score by one (1) point per Judge, recorded via the scoring system. A third warning in a Bout results in automatic disqualification (DSQ). The Referee may disqualify a Boxer for a serious foul with or without prior warning, and a headbutt or illegal blow that causes an injury or cut leads to disqualification of the offender.

If a low blow is not hard or intentional and the offended Boxer does not complain, the Referee signals the foul without stopping the bout. If the Boxer complains, the Referee either immediately disqualifies the offender (for an intentional, hard blow) or starts an Eight Count. The offended Boxer is then allowed up to one minute and 30 seconds (90 seconds) to recover; if still unfit, the opponent wins by RSC-I, otherwise the Referee warns the offender and the bout continues.

A Boxer is knocked down if, as the result of a blow or series of blows, the Boxer touches the floor with any part of the body other than the feet, is lying on or partly outside the ropes, or — following a hard blow — has not fallen but is considered hurt and requires a standing Eight Count. The Referee orders "Stop" and counts.

On a knockdown the Referee counts at one-second intervals, from one to eight if the Boxer is fit to continue, or one to ten if unfit. There is a mandatory count of eight — the bout must not resume before "eight" even if the Boxer is ready or the round ends. The gong does not save a Boxer: a Boxer down at the end of a round is counted out regardless, and reaching ten means defeat by Knockout (KO). The opponent must wait in the neutral corner during the count.

For Elite, U19 and U17 categories a maximum of three (3) Eight Counts in one round and a maximum of four (4) Eight Counts in one Bout apply; reaching a limit stops the contest (RSC). Eight Counts resulting from illegal blows or fouls are not counted toward these limits.

A Boxer punched out of the ring by scoring blows has 30 seconds to return unaided after an Eight Count, else loses by RSC. A Boxer pushed out has 60 seconds to return (no count); if unfit the offender is examined — if the pushed Boxer is unfit to continue the opponent loses by DSQ, otherwise the offender is warned. A Boxer who falls out of their own accord has 30 seconds to return without an Eight Count, else loses by RSC.

At the end of a full Bout the winner is determined from each Judge's total scores. A unanimous decision is declared when all five Judges name the same winner; a split decision when three (or four) Judges favour one Boxer and the others differ. Tied total scores (including deductions) are broken by the tied Judge(s). The WP decision also applies where an unintentional foul, simultaneous injuries, or force majeure after the first round stops the bout — scores are then final.

RSC is declared when a Boxer is outclassed, receives excessive punishment, is unfit to continue or fails to resume after an Eight Count or the rest period, or fails to re-enter the ring within 30 seconds. RSC-I (injury) is declared when a Boxer is unfit to continue due to an injury from scoring blows or any injury not caused by a foul, or fails to recover from a low blow within 90 seconds. The Ringside Doctor may advise the Referee to stop a bout.

A Boxer knocked down who fails to stand and resume before the count of ten loses by Knockout (KO); the decision is also KO if the Referee summons the doctor or stops the count for immediate medical need. Abandonment (ABD) is declared when a Boxer retires voluntarily, when the Second throws the towel into the ring (outside a count) or declines to resume during the rest period, or when a Boxer refuses to continue after losing a contact lens.

A Boxer disqualified for any reason — including a third warning or an intentional foul causing a disabling injury — loses by DSQ, the opponent winning. DQB applies to disqualification for unsportsmanlike behaviour (e.g. assaulting an official). A Walkover (WO) is declared when a Boxer fails to appear within one minute of the bell, or fails the Medical Examination or Daily Weigh-In. No protest or appeal is permitted; bout decisions are final.