Section 1. BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE AIBA RULES
Section 2. SCORING A BOUT

You must read the AIBA Rule book to authoritative information; this summary is only intended to help you understand the AIBA Rule book

Amateur Definition

Must not have boxed with or against professional boxer for a money prize or in open competition.

Judges

For five judges the judge's seats are numbered in clockwise direction, number one being in front of the jury (see appendix 14). Where a minimum of three judges is available, they are to be seated separately and evenly spaced around the ring

Gloves

All Gloves are 10oz, and must carry AIBA approval label. The gloves are to be removing at the conclusion of the bout so the bandages can be inspected.

Bandages

Bandages must be worn. Only bandages of the Velpeau types, no longer that 2.5 m or exceeding a width 5.7 cm, shall be worn. No other types of bandages are allowed i.e. martial arts bandages. Tape rubber or adhesive plaster is not to be used as bandages, although a single strip of tapes 3 inches long by I inch wide may be used at the upper wrist to secure the bandages. 

Bandages are to be checked by the referee at the conclusion of the bout.

Dress

Boxers shall be appropriately dressed (flat soled shoes, socks, shorts, singlets, cup protector, gum shields, headgear), ensuring that they compete in a red or blue Singlet, depending on their corner, and shorts that do not exceed knee length. In international contest, a boxer shall wear the correct colour headgear at all times. Due to the increased used of electronic scoring the correct colour headgear makes the boxer more visible and therefore easily identified. The headgear is to be approved and carry and AIBA approval label.

Gum shields.

The gum shields should be form fitted. If the gum shields come out of the boxer's mouth for whatever reason 3 times the boxer shall be warned. It is forbidden for the boxers to intentionally remove (spit or take out) the gum shield during the contest. If the boxer spit the gum shield out the boxer will automatically be warned or possibly disqualified.

The gum shield is to be fitted while the referee is checking the boxer before round one.

Headgear.

The headgear must carry AIBA approval label, and be fitted before entering the ring and is to be removed immediately following the bout and before the decision is given.

Beards.

Beards are not allowed, however a moustache is permitted. Boxer shall be clean-shaven at the medical / weigh in.

Belt line.

If Singlet and shorts are the same colour, an elastic waistband of a different colour 10cm wide must indicate a belt line. The belt line is an imaginary line from top of hips, level with navel

Vaseline

The use of pure Vaseline rubbed into forehead and eyebrow to prevent an injury is permitted.

Liniment on any part of face or body is forbidden.

Ring Equipment

Two swivel seats for boxers, first aid equipment (including an oxygen resuscitator unit), stretcher, Water Bottles and sprays, basin/buckets, two pairs of standard gloves (in case of damage to gloves in use)

Medical and Weigh in

National and international bouts.

The weigh in will be conducted on the first morning of competition between the hours of 8.00am and 10.00am. All other days the weigh in will be conducted between 8.00am and 9.00am. The medical shall be conducted prior the weigh in to ensure the boxers fit to compete. If a competitor is not drawn to box in the next session, they are not required to weigh in. The boxer only weigh in on the day they are to compete.

Local tournament weigh-ins times can vary, and may be on the night of the bouts, at least 2 hours before the bout.

Weight divisions

WEIGHT DEVISIONS IN OLYMPIC BOXING IN AUSTRALIA.

MALES AND FEMALES

10 years to 15 years old: 24, 26, 28, 30, 32, 34, 36, 38, 40, 42, 46, 48, 50 kilograms.

16 years to 17 years old: 52, 54, 57, 60, 63, 66, 70, 75, 80, 86 kilograms.

MALES.

17 years and older: 48, 51, 54, 57, 60, 64, 69, 75, 81, 91+ kilograms.

FEMALES.

17 years and older females: 50, 52, 54, 57, 60, 63, 66, 70, 75, 80, 86 kilograms.

Weight at official weigh in determines weight class for whole of competition, and must be met each daily weigh in.

Determining age

A boxer age is determined on the first day of competition. This age will be affective throughout the tournament even if the boxer has a birthday during the competition.

Rounds

Major competition (Olympics, Worlds, Oceania, Commonwealth, Australians, States, etc) and open senior and junior boxer compete over 4 x 2 minute rounds. In local competition, it is permissible for these boxers to compete over 3 x 2 minute rounds. Women, novice senior and junior, master and cadet boxer weight division above 46kg (i.e. 48kg division and up) shall box over 3 x 2 minute rounds. Cadet boxers (under 17 years of age) competing in the 46kg division and below compete over 3 x 1 ½ minute rounds.

If agreed, international competition can be held over 3 x 3, 4 x 3, or 6x2-minute rounds.

At all times, one-minute interval will be between rounds.

The second

Each competitor is entitled to 2 seconds (i.e. coaches). Both may mount the ring apron, but only one may enter the ring. During boxing, the seconds are not to remain in the ring or on the apron of the ring. They are to seat beside the ring at their appropriate corner. They are also to remove all articles (bucket, towels, seats, water, etc) from the corner before the bout resumes. A second may 'retire' a boxer (throw in the towel) at any time other then when the referee is applying an 8 count to a boxer.

 No advice is to be given to the competitor during the progress of the round or to incite spectators or the crowd. Any second who infringes these rules may be cautioned or removed from the corner. The boxer may also caution, warned or disqualified for the actions of the second. Once a second is removed, they shall not act again as a second in that session. If a second is removed a second time during the tournament, the second shall not act again.

During the one-minute interval between rounds, the second will attend to their boxer. The boxer is to face centre ring. It is encouraged that if the boxer is given water that the boxer 'spits' the remains into the bucket. Due to health regulations and for the image of the sport, the boxer is not to 'spit' onto the canvas.

Where a boxer's dress comes undone (i.e. shoelaces or Singlet is outside the shorts) the referee will take the boxer to his/her corner so the second can attend to the boxer's dress. At this stage, the second is not to communicate with the boxer.

Protests. The team manager can lodge a protest within 30 minutes of session termination, with protest fee of what is set. If upheld, the fee is refunded.

Overriding a decision.

The jury can overturn a decision only where they consider the referee has made a decision against the rules and articles of AIBA or where there has been obvious cheating or, the score has been incorrectly add where Handheld Boxing Points Calculator is used.

The Referee

The primary duty of the referee is the safety of the boxers. The secondary duties of the referee include maintaining control of the contest at all times and to prevent weaker boxer from receiving undue and unnecessary punishment.

The referee will be the first to enter the ring and the last to leave. Following the announcement of the boxers, the referee will check the boxers dress. The second shall remain with the boxer while the referee is checking the boxer. The referee shall shake the hands of the seconds as a signs of respect and sportsmanship. The referee then will call the boxers to the centre of the ring to shake hands and then indicate to the boxers to return to their corners. The referee will check that the judges and the ringside physician are in place and that the corners are clear. If the computer is in use check that the computer operator is ready, check jury is ready and then indicate to the timekeeper to start the round.

During a bout STOP, BREAK, and BOX are the main commands you will hear while competing.

At end of contest the referee will collect, check score - sheets and hand to announcer (not required if computer in use). When announcement made, he will raise winner's hand.

If referee stops bout or disqualifies boxer, first advise jury president (or announcer) of reason, to allow the decision to be correctly announced.

Referee is empowered to:

· Terminate a contest if too one sided, if boxer injured, or if one or both boxers are not earnest.

· Caution a boxer or stop contest and give warning

· Disqualify a boxer who fails to comply immediately with orders or behaves aggressively or offensively towards referee

· Disqualify a second who infringes rules, and disqualify boxers if second does not comply with orders

· Disqualify for a foul, with or without previous warning

· Suspend a count if other boxer deliberately fails to retire to a neutral corner, delays so doing, or seconds are talking or gesturing to their boxer or crowd.

· Interpret rules and take action on any matter not covered by a rule.

Warnings.

A warnings is given where a boxer breaks the rules but does not warrant disqualification for the offence. Order boxer to stop, send victim boxer to neutral corner, give warning (indicate this with the thumb), clearly showing infringement to boxer, than indicate to each judge in order from No 1 to no 5 with the demonstrating thumb. Demonstrate again to boxer the infringement and indicate with thumb that a warning has been given, and then order to BOX. Three warning in a contest brings automatic disqualification. Remember if a disqualification is to occur the warning is to be given first.

Cautions.

A caution is advice for less serious rule infringements. Three cautions for the same type of foul shall require a warning to be issued. Contest need not be stopped for less serious infringements

Decisions

In all situations when a bout is terminated, and in the first instance, the jury is to be notified of the referee's decision. The judges are also to be informed except where the electronic scoring system is being used. Where a bout is terminated or a decision is made and the handled boxing point calculator are in use, a referee will collect the score card from each judge in order from 1 to 5 and check that the scores are tallied and correctly added, a winner nominated and the scorecards is signed.

Win on points

· Computer scoring. At the end of the contest the boxer who is ahead on the combined accepted score will be the winner

· Handheld Boxing Point Calculator. At the end of the contest the boxer who has been awarded the bout by the majority of the judges will be considered the winner on points. If both boxers are injured or both boxers knocked out at the same time and are unable to continue the winner will be determined on points.

 Win by retirement.

If a boxer retires voluntarily owing to injury or other cause or fails to resume boxing immediately following the end of the interval period the opponent will be declared the winner on retirement. On the computer scoring system this will be identified as 'Abandoned'. If the retirement is after the round completion ie during the interval, the decision goes to the next round 

Win by RSC:

· Outclassed (OC). Is used where a boxer is outclassed or is unfit to continue.

· Outscored (OS). Apart from a referee's decision to stop a contest as RSCO, the jury chairman will, to save boxer from unnecessary blows terminate the contest if there is 20 points difference in computer scores for senior or junior and a 15 point difference in the computer scores for any other groups. This will not occur in the final round of a bout

· Injury. Referee may consult the Ringside Physician and, if does so, must follow the Ringside Physician's advice. The Ringside Physician has right to request suspension of up to one minute to examine a boxer. If the Ringside Physician is called into the ring by referee, no other personnel to enter the ring.

In the finals of championship if the bout has gone beyond the first round and an injury occurs from correct blows the winner will be decided on points and the decision given accordingly. If the injury occurs in the first round the uninjured boxer will be determined the winner.

· Compulsory Count Limit (CCL). Where a contest is terminated due to the number of counts being reached in one round or the entire contest.

Win by disqualification. Following three warnings the boxer is automatically disqualified. The referee can disqualify the boxer at any time that she/he determines that an offence is so severe that disqualification is necessary. The disqualified boxer shall not receive any medal or trophy.

Win by Knockout. If a boxer is down for ten seconds and the wipe out signal is given.

Win by RSCH (Referee stop Contest - head injury). If unfit to continue after receiving several hard blows to the head and thus saving the boxer from being KO'd.

Walkover. If boxer presents himself into the ring attired to box and opponent fails to appear within three minutes of PA call. Also a walkover could occur where a boxer fails the medical or weight in.

No contest. Eg if power failure, weather problem, ring collapse, etc.

Draw.

There are no draws in national or international tournament bouts. A draw can be use if it organized before the bout commences and has a acceptable reason.

Incidents outside the control of the referee (for championship bout)

If something happens that does not allow the bout to continue 1 minutes after the bell has rung for the start of the first or second round (lighting failure, fire alarm) the bout will be stopped and the boxer will box in the last bout of the same session. If the incident occurs in the third or fourth round the bout will be stopped and the judges asked to nominate a winner (win on points). If the incident happens during the last 3 bouts of a session, the boxer will be asked to box in the first bouts of the next session 

Over riding a decision

The jury can overturn decision only where they consider the referee has made a decisions against the rules and articles of AIBA or where there has been obvious cheating or, the score has been incorrectly added where Handled Boxing Points Calculator is used.

Fouls

The following are fouls:

Hitting below the belt, holding, tripping, kicking, and butting with foot or knee.

Hits or blows with head, shoulder forearms, elbow, throttling of the opponent, pressing with arm or elbow in opponent's face, pressing the head of the opponent back over the ropes.

Hitting with open glove, the inside of the glove, wrist or side of the hand.

Hits landing on the back of the opponent, and specially any blow on the back of the neck or head and kidney punch.

Pivot blows. A blow delivered where a boxer pivots on his/her axis turning their body away from their opponent to disguise the blow.

Hitting while holding the ropes or making any unfair use of the ropes.

Lying on, wrestling and throwing in the clinch

Hitting an opponent who is down or who is in the act of rising.

Holding

Holding and hitting or pulling and hitting

Holding, or locking, of the opponent's arm or head, or pushing an arm underneath the arm of the opponent.

Ducking below the belt of the opponent in a manner dangerous to his/her opponent.

Completely passive defence by means of double cover or intentionally falling to avoid a blow.

Useless, aggressively, or offensive utterances during the round.

Not stepping back when ordered to break

Attempting to strike opponent immediately after the referee has ordered 'break' and before taking a step back.

Assaulting or behaving in aggressively manner toward a referee at any time

Spitting out mouth piece

Keeping the advanced hand straight to obstruct the opponent's vision

Pushing, shoving

Coaching from the corner (verbal or gesture) during the progress of the round

Boxer Down

A knockdown is the result of a blow or series of blows as explained below. No extra points are awarded for a knockdown, only the blow that landed. Where a boxer is down the opponent must retire to the neutral corner. However, at all times your first priority and consideration is the downed boxer

Definition of down. A boxer is considered 'down':

If any part of the body other than the feet touches the floor from a blow or series of blow.

If the boxer hangs helplessly on the ropes from a blow or series of blows.

If the boxer is outside or partly outside the ropes from a blow or series of blows, or

If following a hard blow the boxer has not fallen or hanging helplessly on the ropes, but is in a semi-conscience state and in the opinion of the referee he is unable to continue

Boxer down possibly unconscious. The Ringside Physician is called immediately to the stricken boxer; any one but the doctor should not touch the downed boxer. The referee may remove mouth guard if it is partially out, otherwise let the Ringside Physician only attend to boxer. 

Compulsory count limit

The count limit for senior and junior boxers is 3 counts within a round or 4 counts throughout the duration of the contest. The count limit for sub-junior, cadet, women, and master, is 2 counts within a round or 3 counts throughout the duration of the contest. A count caused by any foul will not be counted towards the count limit.

Boxer down at end of round.

Where a boxer is 'down' at the end of a round the referee will continue to count. If at 8 the boxer is ready to continue the referee will instruct 'box' and the bell will be sounded. If the boxer is unable to continue he referee will stop the bout.

· Championship final. During a championship final the boxer can be saved in the final round by the bell sounding 

Bell sounds during counting

If the bell sounds during the count it will continue. If the boxer is fit to continue at the count of eight instruct box and immediately stop. This effectively means that the bout can be continued. If the boxer is unable to continue at the count of eight the referee will call stop, indicate to the boxer that the bout has ceased by demonstrating the 'wipe out signal', and then inform injury either RSC or RSC(H).

Knockdown from a foul

If a boxer is knocked down from a foul (ie Referee call 'stop' and boxer is hit, a boxer is hit with a low blow, or inside/open glove) the boxer who threw the blow will be warned, or possibly disqualified if the 'down' boxer is unable to continue after count of 10.

Shaking of hands

Competitors shall shake hands before the commencement of the first round and after the announcement of the result. Shaking of hands at any other time not permitted as it potentially puts a boxer at risk.

The purpose of shaking hands is as a sign of friendly and sporting rivalry, and as a sign of respect and sportsmanship.

Drugs

Any substance use by a competing boxer that is foreign to the body is prohibited.

Cuts and abrasions

No boxer is allowed to compete if he wears a dressing on a cut, abrasion, wound, etc on the scalp or face including the ears and nose.

Age

The age for international competition at senior level is a minimum 17 years to a maximum 34 years. A boxer's age is determined on the first day of competition. This age will be effective throughout the tournament even if the boxer has a birthday during the competition.

Divisions. Divisions within Australia are:

a. Sub junior - 10 Years and under 14 years

b. Cadet - 14 years and under 17 years

c. Junior - 17 years and under 19 years

d. Female - 15 years and under 34 years

e. Senior - 17 years and under 34 years

f. Master - 34 years and over (unlimited)

Australian states vary in their age restrictions for boxers to compete. Currently many states within Australia allow boxers to compete from age 10 years. Due to government restrictions, boxers in some states can only start competition from age 12 or 14 years, and females cannot box in NSW.

Australian Championship. Current ages at the first weigh in are:

Cadet - 14 years and under 17 years

Junior - 17 years and under 19 years (includes female)

Female - 17 years and under 34 years

Senior - 17 years and under 34 years

Definition of a scoring hit

A scoring hit is one, which without being blocked or guarded, lands directly with the knuckle part of the closed glove of either hand on any part of the front or sides of the head or body above the belt, without infringing the rules.

Infighting

Infighting may be described as the exchange of several blows when the boxers are close together. The advantage is usually with the boxer whom has the inside position because s/he can strike straight speedy blows whilst their arms protect them. The value shall be assessed at the end of the rally and credited to the boxer who had better of the exchanges. Usually a point is given to such a winner.

Hits struck by boxers whilst infringing rules ie Holding back of opponents head and hitting, or with any part of the glove other than a knuckle part and are not with the weight of the body or are not on the target area, have no value.

Point differential

Senior/Junior. The AIBA rule book provides that with computer scoring, the chairman of the jury will terminate the bout if one boxer has a lead of 20 points over the other. The decision is announced as an RSC Outs Scored (OS). This will not occur in the final round of a bout.

Novice, Sub - Junior, and Cadet Boxers

Note that AIBA rules deal with international senior boxing (17 and over) so any modified rules for novice, sub-junior or cadet boxers do not appear in the AIBA rulebook.

Novice

Novice boxers are normally those boxers who have not won a title or championship, or which have had a limited number of bouts.

Once a novice boxer has won a championship or a title, irrespective of the number of bout s/he has competed in, they will be determined as no longer having novice status.

Novice boxers compete over 3x2 minute rounds for those weighing in the 48kg and above division. This is includes senior and junior boxers. Sub-junior and cadet novice boxers competing in the lighter divisions, ie below 46kg compete over 1 ½ minute rounds.

Sub-juniors (under 14 years)

Sub-juniors boxers are those boxers who are over 10 years and under 14 years, ie 10, 11, 12 and 13 years. The main difference for sub-juniors boxers are:

That the weight divisions are graded more finely for sub-junior boxers (see appendix 6)

The number standing-eight counts permitted is reduced by one

When computer scoring is in use sub-junior boxers are deemed RSC-OS if the points difference reaches 15 points.

The length of a round for sub-junior boxers is 3x2 minute rounds for those in the weight divisions of 48kg and above and below 46kg is 1 ½ minutes rather that 2 minutes.  

Cadet (under 17 years)

Cadet boxers are those boxers who are over 14 years and under 17 years, ie 14,15 and 16 years.

The main differences of cadet boxers are:

a. That the weight divisions are graded more finely for cadet boxers

b. The number of standing-eight counts permitted is reduced by one

c. When computer scoring is in use cadet boxers are deemed RSC-OS if the points difference reaches 15 points.

d. The length of a round for cadet boxers is 3x2 minute rounds for those in the weight divisions of 48kg and above and below 46kg 3x1 ½ minutes rather than 2 minutes.

SCORING THE BOUT
 
TRADITIONAL SCORING OR CARD SCORING.

Three or five judges are required and placed on different sides of the ring. In some international and domestic competitions, three judges may be used. There is always an odd number of judges as there are no draws in Olympic style boxing.
The judges work alone to assesses the scoring value of each punch as it occurs and mentally awards points to each boxer. The judge's yardstick is "three scoring punches to a point," A scoring punch must be clean, legal, and have the weight of the shoulder behind it. The knuckle part of the glove must make contact to be a scoring punch and  must not deflected from any other part of the body. All legal punches are scored equally, regardless if they result in a knockdown or not.
When one boxer takes a definite point lead, a judge may use that score for tallying adding points as the boxer earns them and subtracting from the total as the opponent scores.
During each round, judges will add up the scoring punches delivered by each boxer, always awarding 20 points to the round's winner and somewhat less than 20 to the loser. For example, boxer "A" scored 15 legitimate scoring blows and boxer "B" landed 12. Using the guideline of three blows per point, this round would be scored 20-19.
Judges award points after each round. When the bout is over, the scores are added to determine the overall winner.
Tie scores, while quite rare, do occur. In this case, the boxer who showed more aggressiveness and better style wins. If it is still tied, the boxer with the better defence is awarded the decision.