Below is a list of boxing phrases and terminology commonly used in the sport.
#ChampionStatus -
A trending term for human beings performing at exemplary stellar status with positive influence on others. Acting in true champion of life example.
#LadiesoftheRing -
A trending term signifying the progressive media movement with athlete value & recognition as the heart of the action.
#NextGenChamp -
A trending term for young athlete that has the ambition and the real drive to be tomorrow's champion. This athlete is driven into the right direction towards the ultimate goal.
#WomenofBoxing -
A trending term signifying the progressive media movement with athlete value & recognition as the heart of the action.
10 Point Must System -
In the 10 Point Must System of scoring a fight the winner of a round must receive 10 points. The loser of a round will receive from 9 to 6 points. A close round: 10-9. One knockdown: 10-8. Two knockdowns: 10-7. Three knockdowns: 10-6. No knockdown but one fighter completely dominates round: 10-8. Can't pick a winner: 10-10.
Accidental Butt -
When the heads of both fighters just so happen to collide during the course of a fight. No one is ruled responsible in such a case.
Alphabet Soup -
Refered to the abbreviations of the numerous boxing sanctioning bodies such as IBF, IBO, NABA, NABC, NABF, UBO, WBA, WBC, WBF, WBO, etc. that have sprung up since the 1980s that sponsor championship fights and hand out title belts for 17 different weight classes.
Association of Boxing Commissions (ABC) -
An organization composed of members from state and tribal boxing commissions in the US and Canada. It was established after the US Senate and House of Representatives enacted the Professional Boxing Safety Act of 1996 and Muhammad Ali Boxing Reform Act to protect boxers and clean up the boxing industry. ABC sets minimum boxing safety guidelines and boxing regulations that states need to follow.
Bare-Knuckle Boxing -
The original form of boxing dating back to Ancient Greece. It's the more savage precursor to the Marquess of Queensberry rules, which mandated the use of gloves.
Barnburner -
A very good fight. One that is very intense and exciting, a real nail-biter. A fight that is so close it's hard to predict who will come out the winner until seconds before it ends.
Beautiful Brawler -
A female warrior. Someone who dedicates her time to the sweet science and loves every second of it. Some one who has confidence, determination, and the eye of the tiger.- #BeautifulBrawlers
Below the Belt -
An imaginary line from the belly button to the top of the hips where a boxer is not supposed to hit. To hit below the belt is to not behave according to the rules or decency.
Bleeder -
A fighter who is vulnerable to cuts.
Blocking -
Using the hands, shoulders, or arms to prevent an opponent's punch from landing cleanly on the head or torso.
Bob and Weave -
When a fighter moves their upper body in an up-and-down motion, making them more difficult to time correctly.
Body Punches -
Punches that particularly come from a left hook delivered to the floating rib area (the bottom of the rib cage and towards the side) where the liver is can stop a fighter if landed perfectly. Body punches delivered not quite so precisely but repeatedly round after round wears a boxer down. A sore gut, bruised ribs makes it hard to breath.
Bolo Punch -
A flashy wide sweeping uppercut that is more about showboating than power. The bolo punch might not even be thrown at all but rather used to distract the opponent so you can hit them with your other hand.
Bout -
A boxing match consisting of rounds with a one minute break.
Boxers Handshake -
Touching knuckles is how boxers greet each other whether they're wearing gloves or not. Touching gloves before the opening bell is also part of boxing protocol.
Brawler -
A slugger. It's a boxer who lacks finesse in the ring, moves slower, lacks mobility, has a predictable punching pattern, but makes up for all that with raw power and the ability to knockout their opponents with a single punch.
Breadbasket -
The stomach area.
Break -
The moment when the fighters are separating from a clinch.
Buckle -
When fighter's legs give way, as in "that punched buckled him."
Bum Rush -
To rush an opponent to get them out of the fight fast. Bum rush or bum's rush indicates the way you hustle someone out.
Candy Cane -
A body punch used by Sugar Ray Robinson thrown with a right hand to the body slightly turning it over and pushing downward.
Canvas -
The floor in a boxing ring.
Catcher -
A fighter who uses their head to block the other guy's punches. This kind of boxing strategy doesn't lead to long careers.
Catchweight -
It's a weight mutually agreed upon by two boxers. It's when boxers in different weight classes meet in the middle. A catchweight fight is made at a middle-of-the-road weight between two weight divisions.
Caught Cold -
To describe a fighter knocked out early in the fight who was not mentally prepared or warmed up properly.
Caution -
An admonition from the referee to a boxer, but generally not for serious infringements of the rules. After three cautions, a warning is issued.
Challenger -
A boxer who is scheduled to face a champion or the favored fighter.
Check Hook -
Designed to counter the attack of an aggressive fighter and consists of pivoting on your lead leg while throwing a hook to catch your forward-charging opponent.
Chief Second -
The head trainer in charge of a fighter's corner. Referred to as a corner man, aids, and assists the boxer between rounds.
Chin -
Having a chin, whiskers or granite like jaw means having the ability to absorb punches when you get hit with a big shot and stay standing, to remain on your feet despite seeing black flashing lights, blurred, double or triple vision and feeling a buzz that goes all the way to your toes. Some say you are either born with a good chin or not. Other says it's a mental toughness that when your brain tells you to go down to the canvas you will yourself to stay on your feet.
Clean Punching -
(Score/Judging) Direct punches delivered with the knuckle part of the closed glove on any part of the scoring zone of the opponent's body above the belt line.
Clinch -
A last resort defensive technique. It's when one boxer holds onto the other to avoid being hit or muffle an opponent's attack.
Combination -
A series of punches thrown in sequence like a left jab, followed by a straight right, followed by a left hook.
Commission -
An entity authorized under state/provincial/country law to regulate professional boxing matches.
CompuBox -
A computer program that was developed in 1985 by CompuBox, Inc. that counts and categorizes punches that are thrown and connected in boxing matches. It's used by TV networks to report punch stats to the audience on televised fights and also by promoters and trainers to help them analyze future opponents and fighter's sparring sessions.
Contender -
A fighter in a position to perhaps challenge for a championship.
Corkscrew Punch -
A punch thrown in a twisting motion, which often causes cuts.
Corner Man -
At the junction of the ropes (a corner of the ring) where a boxer rests between rounds their second, the corner man advises them, gives them water, tries to reduce swelling and stop bleeding.
Count -
A count is tolling of the seconds by the referee after a boxer is knocked down. If a boxer is still down at the end of the count of ten then the fight is over by knockout.
Counterpunch -
A counterpuncher waits for their opponent to throw a punch, blocks or slips past them, and then exploits the opening in the opponent's position with a counter attack or punch.
Covering Up -
Defensive tactic where a fighter goes into a shell to thwart their opponent's offensive.
Cross -
A power punch thrown with the boxer's dominant hand. It's also called a straight right, right or straight punch.
Cutman -
Cornerman responsible for tending to swelling and cuts.
Defense -
(Score/Judging) The aspect of handling the opponent's offense - by head movement, footwork, blocking, while controlling the range and balance.
Dirty Fighting -
Holding an opponent's head down and hitting face with uppercuts or ribs with hooks, rabbit punches, elbowing, forearm in the throat, armbar in a clinch, late punches, low blows, step on an opponent's foot and punch, continuous headbutting and making it look accidental.
Disqualification (DQ) -
A referee can call for disqualification after a boxer repeatedly fouls or breaks the rules causing the boxer to lose by DQ.
Dive or Take a Dive -
To throw a fight. To intentionally pretend to get knocked out by a light punch, thus intentionally losing the fight. A fixed fight with an unlawful prearranged outcome.
Down and Out -
Lack of prospects, penniless. A boxer who is utterly defeated. Knocked down to the canvas and out of consciousness.
Down for the Count -
A boxer who is knocked down for the count of ten.
Draw -
A draw is when both boxers tie or earn equal number of points from the judges' scoring the fight. Example: 1114-114, 114-114, 114-114
Effective Aggression -
(Score/Judging) The use of forward and backword force to sent the tempo of the bout and pace of action; the boxer must score punches while minimizing clean punches on counter punches.
Enswell -
Piece of cold metal that is pressed on swelling to prevent the eyes from closing.
Faded -
Term used to describe a fighter past their peak powers.
Fall through the Ropes -
If a boxer is knocked out of the ring through the ropes he or she is given a 20 count to get back into the ring on their feet. They can't be assisted or it will be considered a knockout.
Fanboy -
Someone that tries to become a boxing insider by trying to talk to athletes but gets attitude with them if they do not get what they want.
One who makes article type posts that are short and without substance, somehow turning all posts about a select number of athletes out of the great pool of talent.
Ultimately focusing on the top tier talent over all, repurposing other's articles for their own assumed gains.
Feint -
When a fighter acts like they're going to punch but does not in order to get their opponent to react.
Fight Card -
A program of boxing consisting of all the boxing matches that take place during a boxing event. Fight cards consist of a main event and an undercard of the rest of the matches.
Fight Tracker -
Someone that thrives to be a voice in the sport, suggesting and gathering simple facts on fights (post-fight, present, or future-telling fights).
Flash Knockdown -
A flash knockdown occurs when a boxer is knocked down but gets back on their feet before the referee begins the count. It's also known as a no-count.
Fluffy -
A boxer that is apparently not taking the sweet science seriously enough and is out of shape for an upcoming bout or contest. Needing more personal fitness and training.
- Synonyms: Overweight
- Synonyms: Overweight
Footwork -
The way a boxer moves and plants their feet which enables them to be well-balanced for throwing punches and ready to switch easily between defensive and offensive boxing.
Fouls -
Actions by a boxer that the referee doesn't feel meet the standard of a fair blow or is unsportsmanlike conduct. There are intentional fouls and accidental fouls. The most common fouls are headbutts, holding, and low blows.
Fringe Contender -
Low-rated contender on the cusp of the world rankings.
Gate -
The total amount of money that a boxing match brings in from the people who attended it.
Gatekeeper -
Term used to describe a fighter who is not a threat to be champion, but opponents can establish themselves as a legitimate contender by beating him.
Get Off -
A fighter's ability to get their offense untracked.
Glass Jaw -
A boxer who is especially susceptible to a knockout is said to have a glass jaw or glass chin.
Go the Distance -
A boxer goes the distance when they can fight through all the scheduled rounds.
Go to the Body -
A strategy that centers on trying to deplete an opponents' resolve by repeatedly punching to the body and not so much the head.
Go to the Scorecards -
Go to the scorecards means that after a fight has gone its schedule number of rounds the judges' score cards will determine the winner. It is also used when there is a fight stoppage due to an accidental head butt if the fight has gone beyond 4 rounds.
Governing Body -
A regulatory organization that sanctions fights.
Haymaker -
A wild swinging punch thrown with all of the person's weight behind it in an attempt to knockout the other person. You usually see haymakers in street fighting or in the movies. Haymakers are also used in boxing as a last resort. They deliver enough force to break an opponent's jaw. The term first appeared in 1912, perhaps from the 1880 "hit the hay" or "go to sleep".
Headbutt -
A headbutt occurs when a boxer's head is brought forward beyond their leading foot and gloves. The head is then swung left or right or up and down and it strikes the opponent. Headbutts can cause a serious cut or damaging head blow. It's up to the referee to determine whether a headbutt is accidental or intentional.
Hitting on the Break -
Hitting on the break occurs when the referee breaks apart two boxers who are clinching and one boxer immediately hits their opponent instead of taking a mandatory full step back.
Hook -
An inside power punch. It's a short sideways punch delivered with the elbow bent so the arm forms sort of a hook. The temple, side of the jaw, ribs, and liver is the target.
Infighting -
Fighting at close range.
Ink -
Press/Media writeups detailing career highlights. Marketing Ink is an ideal necessity for sponsors as it shows exposure to the public and entices opportunity for endorcing company's exposure to public.
Inside Fighter -
A fighter that gets in close, tries to close the gap between themself and their opponent then they can overwhelm their opponent with a flurry of hooks and uppercuts. Inside fighters have to be quick and masters of counterpunching.
Jab -
The jab is the busiest punch in boxing. It's a punch thrown quickly with your leading hand straight from the chin in direct line to your target.
Journeyman -
A journeyman/woman is a boxer with good boxing skills who strives to succeed but who has limitations and little or no expectations of winning a fight. Journeymen are often hired on short notice to fight up-and-coming prospects and contenders to pad their record.
Judge -
One of three officials who sit at ringside to score a bout.
Junior Title -
Non-major sactioned champion, like regional belts.
Kidney Punch -
A blow to the lower back which is illegal in boxing due to the damage it causes to ones kidneys.
Kissed the Canvas -
When a boxer is knocked down face first on to the canvas. In the old days they would say "His face was in the resin of the canvas".
Knockdown -
When a boxer get hits and touches the floor with any part of the his body other than his feet, is being held up by the ropes, or is hanging on, through, or over the ropes and cannot protect himself or fall to the floor.
Knockdown Eight Count -
In the case of a knockdown, the eight count is mandatory. The referee can stop the count and the fight at any point they decides the downed boxers safety is at risk. A downed boxer is allowed a ten count in which to get up unassisted. If the boxer gets up before the count of ten is reached and goes back down immediately without being struck by the opponent. the referee resumes the count where he left off.
Knockoffs -
Knockoffs are boxing matches where a heavily favored fighter gets defeated.
Knockout (KO) -
A boxer loses by way knockout or KO when he or she is unable to get up unassisted after being floored by the count of ten.
KTFO -
A brutal knockout, "Knocked the Fuck Out".
Lacing -
Pushing with or using the bottom side of open glove where the laces are to rub the face of an opponent. Lacing can cut the face.
Lead with One's Chin -
When a boxer leaving his or her chin, which is a vulnerable point, open and unprotected.
Liver Punch -
A short quick punch to the liver delivered with a left hook. It's one of the most devastating punches in boxing guaranteed to bring you right down. It's sickening as well as paralyzing.
Love-to-Hate (L2H) -
Ranking of boxers based on actions performed in and out of the ring that creates angst amongst the boxing populations in a either negative or positive form. RETURNING SOON!
Low Body -
Punch deemed by the referee to be below the legal level.
Main Event -
The most important fight on a card.
Majority Decision (MD) -
When two of the three judges score one boxer as the winner, while the third judge scores neither boxer a winner (a draw). Example: 116-114, 116-114, 114-114.
Majority Draw -
Occurs when two judges vote for a draw, while the third judge chooses a winner. The fight is recorded as a draw on both boxers' records. Example: 114-114, 114-114, 116-114.
Manager -
A person who gets paid to act as the boxer's agent or representative. It's unlawful for a manager to have a direct or indirect financial interest in the promotion of a boxer or to get paid from a promoter except if it's in the manager's contract with the boxer. These rules only apply to fights of 10 rounds or more. A boxer can act as his or her own manager.
Mandatory Eight Count -
An eight (8) second count that a fallen boxer must take when they get back on their feet. It allows the referee time to decide whether the boxer can continue the fight.
Marquess of Queensberry Rules -
Rules sponsored by British John Sholto Douglas, 9th Marquess of Queensberry in 1867 became the foundation of modern boxing regulations.
Matchmaker -
A person who proposes, selects, and arranges fights between boxers.
Mauler -
An inside fighter who tries to prevail by smothering his opponents.
Memorial Ten Count -
The tolling of the bell 10 times at the beginning of a fight in honor of a recently deceased boxer.
Mouse -
A swelling on the face, forehead, or head.
Mouthpiece -
A piece of plastic used to protect a fighter's teeth and prevent him from biting his tongue.
Muhammad Ali Boxing Reform Act (Ali Act) -
A federal law that was introduced in 1999 and enacted on 26 May 2000 by the 106th Congress to: 1.) protect the rights and welfare of boxers 2.) aid state boxing commissions with the oversight of boxing and 3.) increase sportsmanship and integrity within the boxing industry. The Act amends the 1996 Professional Boxing Safety Act by expanding upon legislature against exploitation, conflict of interest, enforcement, and as well as additional amendments. The Act was enacted in response to widespread abuse of boxers by means of exploitation, rigged rankings, and rigged matches.
Neutral Corner -
One of two corners of a boxing ring that are not assigned to either boxer during a fight. There are no chairs or any members of a boxer's team in a neutral corner aka white corner. After a boxer has knocked down their opponent, they are required to go to a neutral corner while the referee does the count.
No Decision (ND) -
If a fight is scheduled for more than four rounds and an accidental foul occurs causing an injury severe enough for the referee to stop the fight, then the fight will result in a No Decision or ND if stopped before four completed rounds. (Per ABC, IBF, WBA, WBO, Nevada Athletic Commission rules)
Not Being Able to Get Off -
When a fighter just can't seem to get started or just can't get off his punches.
On the Button -
To be punched on the chin or more precisely the bony point of the chin, whether it be from a straight punch, a grazing left hook or an uppercut.
On the Ropes -
Refers to a boxer on the verge of defeat who has been knocked against the ropes and kept there by his or her opponent's blows.
Orthodox -
Refers to a right handed fighter.
Outside Fighter -
A fighter who tries to maintain that gap between himself and his opponent, fighting with longer range punches. Outside fighters have to be fast on their feet, stepping in with a jab and stepping back out of range quickly to evade their opponent.
Overhand -
A punch that is delivered in an arching motion, traveling downward on the opponent.
Palooka -
A tenth rater, a nobody, and a lousy boxer with no ability who usually loses their fights in four or six rounds to boxers who are just starting out in their careers. It's synonymous with tomato can or ham and egger. There was a comic strip created by Ham Fisher in 1928 that featured a good-hearted, slow-witted and inarticulate boxer named Joe Palooka.
Paper Champion -
A champion who doesn't defend his/her title against worthy opponents. Making the title as worth less than a piece of paper.
Parry -
Changing the trajectory of an opponent's punch using the gloves to slap away the shot.
Paw -
To meekly poke a jab out.
Peek-a-Boo -
A boxer holds his hands high in front of his face in defense and to sneak peeks at opponent's attacks. Floyd Patterson and Mike Tyson used the Cus D' Amato forearms-up peek-a-boo. Archie Moore used the arms-across peek-a-boo.
Phone-Booth Fight -
A match where both boxers have committed to fighting at close range. There might be some bobbing and weaving and some slipping of punches or covering up to avoid them, but both women are remaining in range to be hit.
Phone-booth fights are considered "fan-friendly."
Pitty-Pat Punches -
Punches that lack intensity when they connect. They're the kind of punches seen in amateur boxing that rack up points but have no destructive effect. Also referred to as cheap punches, pitty-patty punches or pitty-patty slaps.
Play Possum -
To act hurt in an effort to get an opponent to over-commit.
Plodder -
A slow-footed fighter with no agility.
Point Deduction -
When a foul or series of fouls warrant a one-point penalty, the equivalent of losing a round.
Pound-for-Pound (P4P) -
The best boxer overall based upon his or her boxing skills whatever the weight. Pound-for-pound rankings compare boxers regardless of weight by using criteria such as boxing records, percentage of wins by knockout and level of competition to determine who is the better boxer.
Power Punches -
Hooks, straight rights or lefts, uppercuts, or stiff jabs that land solidly to the chin, head, or body that inflict damage.
Promoter -
The person primarily responsible for organizing, promoting, and putting on a professional boxing match. Usually it's not the hotel, casino, or venue where the fight is going to be held unless they are the primary ones putting the fight on and there isn't a promoter. It's unlawful for a promoter to have any direct or indirect financial interest in the promotion of a boxer. These rules only apply to fights of 10 rounds or more. A boxer can act as his or her own promoter.
Prospect -
A boxer who hasn't reached her limit yet, seems to have all the tools but no one knows if he has the heart and chin because of being untested against stiff competition. This boxer is still on her way up, and in one way or another is an unknown commodity.
Pull One's Punches -
A boxer is said to pull his or her punches when he or she uses less force than capable of, holds back from using all ones strength.
Punch -
Use of fist to in combat to inflict winning advantage. Basic punches in boxing are the jab, straight right (cross), uppercut and hook. Then you have the corkscrew delivered off a jab or cross and the wide swinging uppercut called the bolo punch.
Punch-Drunk -
In boxers it refers to Dementia pugilistica, a neurological disorder triggered by repeated blows to the head over an extended period of time. Symptoms include slurred speech, dementia, dazedness, confusion, and inappropriate behavior resembling alcoholic intoxication.
Puncher's Chance -
When an under-skilled, but hard-hitting fighter must rely solely on his punching power to win a fight.
Purse -
Money paid to two professional boxers for engaging in a fight. The amount of the purse is contractually guaranteed prior to the fight and is not altered by the outcome of the fight. Promoters pay the boxers the purse and out of the purse a boxer pays their cornermen (manager, trainer, and cutman) a percentage. Sanctioning bodies also demand a percentage of the purse. Boxers usually end up with 50 to 70 percent before taxes.
Purse Bid -
An initial step in arranging a professional boxing match. Involving the fight's/card's promoter(s). All interested registered promoters may bid on the amount of the purse (the total money that the fighters will be paid for the match), if the sides representing each fighter fail to agree on it before the deadline. The highest offer wins; however, the winning entity must produce a small percentage of the total amount up-front by a certain date. How the fighters will split the purse is negotiated between the fighters' respective representatives. Purse bids are often won by one of the two fighters' promoters.
Queer Street -
When a boxer is dazed from getting hit hard on the head or has taken too many punches to the head, the boxer is said to be on Queer Street or taking a walk on Queer Street.
Rabbit Punch -
A rabbit punch is punch to the back of the head or neck. It is illegal in boxing since it can cause cervical vertebrae damage and subsequent spinal cord injury resulting in paralysis or death. Rabbit punch got its name from a technique hunters use to kill rabbits with a quick, sharp blow to the back of their heads with a blunt object.
Retired Out -
If a opponent gets injured during the course of their batting, they may retire with the consent of the referee. In an event where the opponent discontinues without the permission of the referee, they can be declared retired out.
Ring Generalship -
(Score/Judging) The ability to control the ring and action.
Ringside -
A position that is close to the ring.
Ringside Physician -
The doctor who checks the condition of competitors before the bout and determines whether a dazed boxer can continue. The physician has the power to stop a bout at any time.
Roll with the Punches -
When an opponent bends and twists with the punch, minimizing its impact.
Rope a Dope -
Used by Muhammad Ali in his 1974 fight against George Foreman. It involves lying back on the ropes, shelling up and allowing your opponent to throw punches until they tire themselves out and then you exploit their defensive flaws and nail them.
Roughhousing -
When an opponent fights in an overly physical and unruly way.
Rounds -
Professional boxing matches cannot be scheduled for more than twelve rounds for males or ten rounds for females. Each round lasts three minutes for males and two minutes for females with have a one minute rest between rounds.
Rubber Match -
A rubber match is the deciding match in a series of fights between two boxers where each boxer has won a fight against the other. Rubber match usually refers to the 3rd fight in a series, a trilogy. It's seen as the match that determines which boxer is really the best.
Rules of Boxing -
Boxing rules can vary from country to country, state to state, by boxing organization, and whether the fight is amateur or professional. Most sanctioned fights today follow the Association of Boxing Commissions unified rules.
Sanctioning Body -
Boxing organizations that sponsor championship fights and awards title belts. The World Boxing Association (WBA) (oldest), World Boxing Council (WBC), and International Boxing Federation (IBF) are considered to be the legitimate ones.
Saved by the Bell -
When the bell rings signaling the end of the round before the referee finishes his count. This phrase came into being in the latter half of the 19th century.
Scoring Criteria -
Using the Ten Point Must System, Judges are to score each round using the following scoring criteria: clean punching (power versus quantity), effective aggressiveness, ring generalship, and defense.
Shoe Shine -
Quick little punches that are bothersome but aren't going to knock anyone down.
Shopworn -
A fighter who is slowing down after a long career.
Shoulder Roll -
D defensive move where a fighter leaves her front arm low and drapes it across her midsection so that when her opponent throws a punch she can use her shoulder to block or roll with it. This is so the defensive fighter is able to counter back with either hand because neither was used for blocking.
For a right-handed fighter, it also automatically shifts her weight to her back foot and sets her up for a hard counter right cross.
Most known Floyd Mayweather has become known for this, many great fighters like Jersey Joe Walcott were masters of this defensive technique.
Skinning the Gloves -
All boxers have tape wrapped around their gloves at the wrist to prevent the laces from coming lose, however when the tape job goes up even higher on the glove it forces the padding to conform around the knuckles giving a distinct advantage to the boxer.
Slip -
To move the head slightly to avoid a punch.
Solon -
An informal name for a boxing commissioner originating from a man named Solon who was known as the lawmaker of Athens.
Southpaw -
Left handed fighters (unorthodox). They put their right foot forward, jab with their right hand and throw power punches with their left hand (rear hand). To a "normal" right handed fighter a southpaw's punches are coming from the wrong side. When a right handed and left handed boxer fight each other their lead foot is almost on top of the other persons. Southpaws aren't always born left handed some are converted southpaws.
Southpaws Should be Drowned at Birth -
An old boxing idiom. To an orthodox right handed boxer southpaw's punches come from the opposite direction than what are trained to expect. It just feels wrong.
Spar -
Boxing for practice.
Split Decision (SD) -
When two of the three judges score one boxer as the winner, while the third judge scores the other boxer as the winner. Example: 116-114, 116-114, 113-115.
Split Draw -
Occurs when one judge favors one boxer, the other judge favors the opposite boxer and the third judge scores the fight even. The fight is recorded as a draw on both boxers' records. Example: 116-114, 113-115, 114-114.
Stablemate -
Fighters who train at the same gym or under the banner of the same promoter.
Standing Eight Count -
When the referee stops the fight and counts to eight. During this time the referee will determine if the boxer can continue. In some amateur and professional fights a knocked down boxer must take a mandatory eight count even if he or she has gotten up immediately.
Stick and Move -
When a boxer jabs or uses long range punches then quickly steps backwards using elusive footwork to evade their opponent.
Straight Right -
Considered power punch. If you are a right handed boxer it's a straight right. If you are a left handed boxer it's a straight left.
Stylist -
A fighter who relies on skills rather than brawn.
Sucker Punch -
An unexpected punch that catches a person completely off guard. The term sucker punch dates back to 1947 in the sport of boxing.
Sunday Punch -
A knockout blow. A hard punch. knockout punch or KO punch that renders an opponent unable to continue fighting.
Technical Decision (TD) -
If a fight is scheduled for more than four rounds and an accidental foul occurs causing an injury severe enough for the referee to stop the fight after four rounds have occurred the fight will result in a technical decision or TD awarded to the boxer who is ahead on the score cards at the time the fight is stopped. If an intentional foul causes an injury and the injury results in the fight being stopped in a latter round, the injured boxer will win by Technical Decision if they are ahead on the score cards.
Technical Draw -
If an intentional foul causes an injury and the injury results in the fight being stopped in a latter round, the fight will result in a Technical Draw if the injured boxer is behind or even on the score cards.
Technical Knockout (TKO) -
A boxer loses by technical knockout or TKO if the referee intercedes and stops the fight declaring them unable to continue because of bad cuts or bruises, they cannot go on or cannot defend themselves.
The Sweet Science -
A collection of boxing articles written by A.J. Liebling that appeared in The New Yorker from 1951 through 1963. Liebling was a devotee of boxing writer. Pierce Egan who published Boxiana, a chronicle of bare-knuckle fighting in the early 19th century. Egan described boxing as "the sweet science" and "the sweet science of bruising". Liebling cited Egan frequently and named his collection The Sweet Science in honor of Egan.
Third Man in the Ring -
The referee.
Throw in the Towel -
To give up, acknowledge defeat. When a boxer's second (their trainer or corner man) feels their boxer is taking a beating and doesn't think they can or should continue the fight, they throw a towel or sponge into the ring to stop the carnage, to end the fight by TKO. Also known as: "To throw in the towel", "To throw in the sponge" to end the fight.
Throwback Fighter -
The term defines a boxer with any or all of the following characteristics and attributes: 1 - may have some old school training routines that he/she employs in his/her training camps; 2 - may be highly active, fighting more than the average three times a year; 3 - may be lesser skilled than his/her opponents, but make up for that lack with some kind of intangible: heart, chin, workrate, attitude, etc.
Titlist -
Fighter who holds one of the many available "world" title belts, but is not recognized as the true or linear champion.
Toe-to-Toe -
When both fighters stand in front of each other and engage.
Tomato Can -
A lousy fighter who usually loses in 4 or 5 rounds to boxers just starting out in their careers or to experienced boxers taking a bout just to stay in shape. Tomato Cans are known for bleeding, losing and taking a beating.
Trialhorse -
Capable but largely unsuccessful opponent used to gauge if other fighters are ready to make a jump in class.
Unanimous Decision (UD) -
Occurs when all three judges agree on a winner. Example: 116-114, 116-114, 115-113.
Undercard -
The preliminary bouts on a card that consists of boxing matches that take place before the main event. They usually occur in an ascending order of importance.
Upper Cut -
Punches thrown at close range, from up under the budy. The jaw or the solar plexus is the target. It's an infighter's best weapon.
Upstart -
A new fighter with potential.
Walkout Bout -
A fight on the undercard that takes place after the main event. It's often boring to watch and people walkout of the arena during the fight. If the main event fight turns out to be a snoozer it's often referred to sarcastically as the walkout bout.
Walkover -
A one-sided fight, an easy fight, one that's easy to win.
Warning -
Given by the referee to the boxer who commits a serious foul, or receives three cautions. When the referee signals a warning the ringside judges can decide whether to give a point to the opponent. Three warnings in a bout means disqualification.
Weaving -
A way of eluding punches by turning and twisting movements.
Weigh-In -
A pre-fight ceremony where boxers are weighed to make sure they are within the limits for their weight classes and contracted weigh for the fight.
Weight Classes -
The four sanctioning bodies recognize 17 weight classes or weight divisions for professional male boxers. For minimum and maximum pounds see boxing weight classes.
Whiskers -
Chin. Used to describe a fighter's durability, as in "he (or she) has a good set of whiskers."
White Collar Boxers -
Boxers that are not registered amateurs or professional boxers. They box (basically spar with an opponent) in contests or exhibitions where no cash prizes are awarded.