Jumping straight into the world of boxing, there are certain punches that are simply off-limits. Deemed overly risky, these punches pack the potential to inflict serious and long-lasting harm on a fighter. If you decide to use any of these, you’re looking at a warning at best, or point deduction and even disqualification at worst.
Brought together by the Association of Boxing Commissions (ABC), a North American non-profit that works towards organizing professional boxing and mixed martial arts contests, we have a collection of these forbidden punches. They’re picked straight from the ABC bylaws and agreed upon by boxing commissions across the United States and Canada.
In this article, we’re going to get down and dirty with these illegal punches. Expect a deep dive into all the need-to-know details. From what these punches are, why they’re considered too dangerous, to the penalties dished out if you’re caught using them. So, buckle up, folks, we’re in for an intense ride.
Hitting an opponent below the navel or behind the ear
In the world of boxing, playing fair and keeping things safe are super important. This is why certain moves, like hitting below the belly button or landing a punch behind the ear, are totally not cool.
‘Below the belt’ punches are a big no-no. This term usually makes people think about the groin, but it actually includes the whole area below the belly button.
These punches aren’t just bad sportsmanship, they can also seriously hurt the opponent. This is because the lower belly, where there’s not a lot of muscle to protect you, has a lot of important body parts.
So here’s the rule: keep your punches above the belly button. And remember, we’re talking about the belly button as the belt line, not the waist or the groin. A lot of newbies get this wrong and land heavy, illegal hits. Of course, nobody likes a punch in the groin, but a punch to the lower belly can be just as bad and leave a boxer doubled over in pain.
Now, about those punches behind the ear. These are also against the rules, and for good reason. Because of the size of boxing gloves and the fact that your opponent is moving, a punch meant for the side of the head can often end up behind the ear or on the back of the head. Even though lots of knockouts happen this way, these punches are still not allowed if you mean to hit there.
However, if a punch hits the ear and also the back of the ear or head by accident, it’s usually considered okay. What matters here is if you meant to hit behind the ear. If you do it on purpose, you could get disqualified.
Hitting an opponent who is knocked down
Hitting an opponent who’s already knocked down? Total no-go in boxing. This is one of those rules that’s really important, not just for playing fair but also for keeping everybody safe.
Just picture it: your opponent is already down on the mat. They’re obviously not ready to dodge or block any punches. If you go in swinging when they’re already down, that’s just not fair. Plus, it can be seriously dangerous. The whole point of boxing is to test your skills against someone who’s ready to test theirs against you. If they’re down, they’re clearly not ready.
Now, if you’re the one throwing the punches, it can be tough to stop in the middle of a combo. You’re in the zone, your adrenaline is pumping, and suddenly your opponent hits the deck. But it’s super important to pull your punches and give them a chance to get up.
If you hit someone who’s knocked down, you’re breaking one of the biggest rules in boxing. This can get you a hefty penalty, or even get you disqualified. Not to mention, it’s just bad sportsmanship.
When someone’s knocked down, that’s their time to recover. If they can get up and keep fighting, great. If not, the ref will step in. Either way, when your opponent hits the mat, your fists should stop flying.
Holding an opponent with one hand and hitting with the other
Here’s another illegal punch in boxing: grabbing your opponent with one hand and hitting them with the other. Now, you might think, “Hey, that sounds like a pretty good strategy!” But in reality, it’s both against the rules and seriously uncool.
Boxing is a sport that values skill and technique. This is not a street fight, it’s about who’s the better boxer. So, if you’re holding your opponent and hitting them, you’re not really showing off your boxing skills. You’re just showing everyone you’d rather play dirty than play well.
If you’re caught holding and hitting, the referee will step in. You might get a warning, or you might lose points. Keep doing it, and you could get disqualified. It’s just not worth it.
Hitting with the open glove, the butt or inside of the hand, or back of the hand, the elbow or the wrist
In boxing, the only punch that counts is one with a closed fist, facing forward. That’s why boxing gloves are designed the way they are, with lots of padding on the front. Any other kind of punch is against the rules and can also be pretty dangerous.
This means you can’t hit with the open glove, the butt or inside of your hand, or the back of your hand. It’s not only unfair to your opponent, but you could also end up hurting yourself. And that’s not what boxing is about.
Now let’s talk about elbow strikes. In boxing, elbow strikes, which are punches where you hit your opponent with your elbow, are a total no-go. If you purposely throw an elbow strike, you can get disqualified straight away.
Of course, sometimes mistakes happen. You might accidentally throw an elbow strike in the heat of the moment. In that case, the ref will usually give you a warning, or you might get points deducted. But remember, the more you break the rules, the more likely it is you’ll get disqualified.
Hitting with your wrist in boxing is also not allowed. And here’s why. your wrist isn’t designed to take or give the kind of force that a good boxing punch has. If you throw a punch with your wrist, you’re putting yourself at risk of a serious injury. Like the other illegal moves we’ve talked about, throwing a punch with your wrist isn’t just against the rules, it’s a dangerous thing to do.
Striking deliberately at that part of the body over the kidneys
In boxing, there’s something called a kidney punch and let me tell you – it’s an illegal punch. This move is when a fighter aims a hit at their opponent’s back or side, targeting the kidneys, which sit just below the rib cage.
Now, you might ask, “Why is it illegal?” Well, the kidneys are super important organs that filter our blood and remove toxins from our bodies. They’re also pretty tricky to heal if they get damaged. So, a punch to the kidneys can cause a lot of trouble, even leading to serious injury or, in extreme cases, a fatal outcome.
The intention of your punch matters a lot in boxing. If you’re throwing a hook aimed deliberately at your opponent’s kidneys, that’s against the rules. But, if a body shot accidentally hits the kidney, the ref might give you a pass and maybe just a warning.
Using the pivot blow (pivoting while throwing a punch) or the rabbit punch (punches thrown to the back of the head and neck areas)
This section is about two sneaky punches in boxing: the pivot blow and the rabbit punch. Both of these are considered illegal, and here’s why.
First up, the pivot blow. This is when a boxer spins their body while throwing a punch. Now, why’s this a problem? Well, because this kind of punch can land in illegal zones, like the back of the head or body. Now, you might not get in trouble for it right away, unless you keep doing it. But having it in the rules means there’s no excuse for a fighter who claims they didn’t mean to land an illegal blow.
Next, let’s talk about the rabbit punch. This one gets its name from hunters who used to kill rabbits with a sharp blow to the back of the skull. Sounds pretty brutal, right? That’s because it is. In boxing, a rabbit punch is a hit to the back of the head or neck, and it can do some serious damage.
This area is super sensitive. It’s where the brain stem meets the spinal cord, which controls everything from your movement to your heart and lungs. One hard hit here can cause paralysis or other serious injuries. And if the punch manages to separate the brain stem from the spine, it can even cause immediate death.
That’s why direct punches to the back of the head are illegal in all fighting sports. It’s just too risky and too dangerous.
Jabbing the eyes with the thumb of the glove
It’s pretty self explanatory why this is an illegal move. Hitting your opponent in the eyes with the thumb of your glove – also known as thumbing – is definitely not on the list of things you should do.
A thumb jab to the eye can cause serious injury, like scratches on the cornea or even permanent damage to the eye. The damage could be severe enough to end a fighter’s career. So, if you’re in the boxing ring, keep those thumbs tucked in and away from your opponent’s eyes.
Hitting on or out of the ropes
The ABC Regulatory Guidelines also forbid “hitting on or out of the ropes”.
First off, what do we mean by “on the ropes”? In boxing, when a fighter is “on the ropes”, it means they’re in a tough spot. They might be leaning against the ropes to avoid falling, or using them to block an opponent’s punches.
Hitting a boxer who’s on the ropes, or when they’re out of the ropes, is against the rules. Why? Because boxing isn’t about taking cheap shots at someone who’s in a defenseless position. The rules are there to protect fighters and to make sure the match is fair and square.
Holding rope and hitting
Picture this, you’re in the ring, you reach out, grab the rope for a little extra stability or leverage, and then deliver your punch. Sound okay? Not at all. The ABC doesn’t look kindly upon this maneuver. It’s seen as bending the rules, getting an unfair advantage and, as such, is firmly on their list of illegal moves.
The ropes are there to keep you in the ring, not for you to use as a tool while you’re throwing punches. People are there to see boxers box, not performing tricks. In some cases, if a man have to hold the ropes in order to stand up and punch, chances are he’s no longer fit enough to box.
Final thoughts
So there you have it, a deep dive into the world of illegal punches in boxing. We’ve delved into the punches that are seen as way too risky, all carefully set out by the Association of Boxing Commissions. The lesson? Don’t go throwing these punches in the ring unless you’re keen on playing dirty.
The world of boxing is as thrilling as it is complex, with rules and regulations meticulously laid out to ensure the safety and fairness of all fighters. Keep your boxing clean, respect your opponent, and remember – the goal isn’t just to win, it’s to fight fairly and skillfully. So stick to the legal punches, and may your fights be nothing short of extraordinary.
Until next time, keep those gloves up and continue respecting the sweet science that is boxing. Stay tuned for more in-depth boxing knowledge, and as always, happy boxing!