10 Common Boxing Fouls You Should Know

Boxing is often called the sweet science, but there’s nothing sweet about losing a bout because of an infraction you committed or, even worse, getting disqualified. Boxers of all experience should familiarize themselves with boxing rules before getting inside the ring to spar.

Knowing the rules will keep your opponents safe during matches and help prevent you from earning a bad reputation at your gym or the greater boxing community.

Ten Common Boxing Fouls You Should Be Aware Of

Ready to learn about some of the common fouls in boxing you should avoid? Let’s get started:

1) Punching Below The Belt

Anything below your opponent’s belt is considered a foul in boxing, not just punching someone’s family jewels. A punch to the thigh or any other part of the leg is equally illegal. Of course, punching the groin area is considered the worst offense, and it could earn you a disqualification if it is deemed intentional and causes substantial damage.

Most low blows will earn you a couple of warnings before the referee starts taking points away. Do it some more, and there’s a good chance you’ll be disqualified.

2) Rabbit Punches

Striking an opponent at the back of their head in boxing is deemed illegal, as is the case in other combat sports. It’s called rabbit punches in boxing, and it’s one of the worst infractions you can commit inside the ring, given the serious injuries it can cause.

There are no guarantees you’ll get even a warning with rabbit punches. Hit an opponent in the back of the head, and there’s a good chance you’re getting kicked out of the ring.

If you think the punishment is extreme, consider the case of Prichard Colón, who collapsed after getting hit behind the head multiple times during his fight with Terrel Williams. The injury led to severe brain damage that left Colón paralyzed.

3) Punching After The Bell

This might be the most common infraction in boxing, but it’s still illegal. The bell means it’s time to stop swinging, and you’ll probably get a stern warning if you keep throwing punches. Strike after the bell multiple times during a fight, and you might have some points deducted.

While boxing rules require both fighters to stop swinging once they hear the bell, the golden rule is to always protect yourself. That means you should be ready to block or evade any strikes that come at you after the bell. Don’t just stand there and get punched in the face.

4) Clinching And Hitting

Hitting someone with your hands while clinched up with them is called dirty boxing for a reason. It’s illegal, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t do it. This is one of the more acceptable fouls in boxing, and crafty boxers can hit and get away with it.

You can’t commit a foul if the referee can’t see it, so feel free to land subtle punches on the referee’s blind side. You’ll likely get multiple soft warnings before the referee starts thinking about taking points if you get caught.

5) Headbutting

We’ve all been there before; sometimes, you just want to get ahead in your career, but using your head as a battering ram isn’t the way to do it. Headbutts can lead to nasty cuts and bruises, and it’s generally viewed as a major infraction.

At the very least, you’ll likely lose points if you’re caught intentionally headbuttling, so don’t do it. It’s also one of those infractions many boxers take personally. Be prepared for dirty blows in retaliation from your opponent if you sneak a headbutt in without the ref noticing.

6) Elbows

Elbows belong in the Muay Thai ring, not boxing’s squared circle. Swinging your elbow like a Muay Thai fighter would cost you some points in boxing, but you’re less likely to be penalized if you use your elbow to frame opponents.

That isn’t to say that you can’t use elbows for defense. Floyd Mayweather was a master at using his elbow to create space when opponents pressured him during his prime.

7) Punching On The Break Or After The Fight

Boxers need to follow instructions from referees inside the ring, including when they call for a break or when the fight is over. Stop throwing punches immediately, but keep the golden rule in mind. Punching on the break is viewed as a cheap, underhanded tactic, and it won’t win you any fans. Especially, if you throw a punch at the opponent after the fight. Depending on the impact of the illegal strike, it could also cost you points or lead to a disqualification.

8) Excessive Clinching

Clinching is a part of boxing, but doing it excessively could lead to a warning or worse. It won’t make a good impression on fans, as excessive holding slows the fight’s pace. However, it should be noted that clinching can be an invaluable defensive tool, so grab on for dear life if your opponent wobbles you with a punch. Losing a few points is better than getting knocked out, so keep that in mind during your fights.

9) Hitting A Downed Opponent

Hitting your opponent when they’re down is a guaranteed way to earn significant point deductions or get disqualified, depending on how bad the strike was. This isn’t mixed martial arts; hitting downed opponents is strictly prohibited. It’s such an egregious foul that you might even have a riot on your hands, so don’t think about doing it.

Show some class when you knock down an opponent and let them get back on their feet before you start launching punches at them again. It’s a boxing match, not a bar fight.

10) Biting

There was no way we were going to leave this off our list. In a perfect world, you shouldn’t have to tell anyone not to bite their opponents, but here we are.

Biting is viewed as one of the lowest things you can do inside the ring, and it can earn you a lot more than getting disqualified or point deductions. Mike Tyson was initially permanently banned by the Nevada State Athletic Commission for biting Evander Holyfield during their title rematch. That decision was overturned a couple of years later, but only because of how famous Tyson was. A lesser-known fighter wouldn’t have gotten a second chance.

Use Your Knowledge Of The Rules To Your Advantage

Follow the rules of boxing when you spar, so following them becomes part of your muscle memory. Your training partners will appreciate you being an excellent sparring partner who keeps it clean inside the ring and you won’t have bad habits that end up costing you points or worse during your fights.

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