top of page
Pro Kickboxing

WKO Sport-Boxing Rules & Code of Conduct

Basis of Sport-Boxing & Box-Light:

One fundamental rule of Sport-Boxing & Box Light is that all competitors must be from a Martial Arts background. NO competitor is allowed to compete under Sport-Boxing Rules unless they are from a Martial Arts background. It is the competitors responsibility to notify WKO event officials if they wish to compete in Sport-Boxing & Box Light Rules if they are NOT from a Martial Arts background.

​

Any competitor withholding the fact they are not from a martial arts background will be disqualified immediately. And forfeit their indemnity of cover provided by WKO insurance and insurers. 

​

Sport-Boxing & Box Light is an Amateur sport but is for Martial Artists to practice within a competitive environment their hand striking and defensive applications. In a safe and controlled environment following the required risk assessments, sufficient medical cover & qualified officials are in attendance. Against like for like individuals from a Martial Arts background to compete to be able to further their hand striking and defence abilities. 

Matching and Venue requirements.

  1. Fighting Areas:
    Sport-Boxing: To be a fair stand-up boxing match in a 16-24-foot ring, or as near that size as practicable.
    Box-Light: Is a Tatami sport with a minimum competitive area of 6m x 6m 

  2. For Sport-Boxing LIGHT & Box-Light All contact to be light contact, a KO can and may result in disqualification if seen to be excessive force of intent

  3. For Sport-Boxing FULL heavy contact is allowed and fighters can win by KO, TKO Stoppage without being disqualified

  4. MAXIMUM age difference between minors Is 3 years

  5. MAXIMUM weight difference for Title bouts under 18 Is 3kg

  6. For open tournaments weight difference is 3k

  7. All Fighters must pass the fit to fight medical before allowed to fight (Title Fights)

  8. 28 day medical suspensions will be issued where appropriate

  9. All fighters must hand in their up to date license before each fight so it can be updated accurately by a WKO OFFICIAL Only

​

Rules & Requirements of Sport-Boxing

​

Legal Strikes:

 

Jabs, Straights, Crosses, Hooks and Uppercuts.

 

Along with Bolo Punches, Ridge Hand strikes, Back Knuckle Strikes, Blitz style combinations and Jumping reverse punches (Superman punch) 

​

Front leg sweep is also allowed but only boot to boot, by way of putting opponent off balance.

​

Equipment Requirements:

  1. All Fighters must wear head gear approved by the referee

  2. Gum Shields and Groin must be worn

  3. Breast protectors for females are optional but recommended 

  4. All fighters must wear a suitable vest/t-shirt, boxing shorts. 

  5. Boxing Boots are optional but recommended, trainers are allowed but NOT recommended, bare foot is also allowed. 

  6. Wrapping of hands:
    A, Electrical tape is NOT allowed
    B, NO tape will be allowed over the front of the knuckles
    C, In between knuckles is allowed
    D, Tape up to 1” of back of knuckles is allowed.

  7. Tops are mandatory for all Boxers Under 12yrs of age.

  8. No Fighter will be allowed to fight unless in possession of up to date UK license.

  9. It is the competitors responsibility to ensure their licence provider has Sport-Boxing covered on their groups policy

  10. Sport-Boxing LIGHT & Box-Light:
    From 5yrs Upwards
    All Punches to the head must be controlled light contact.
    Punches to the body are allowed to be heavier.
    8 Counts do not impact the score cards

  11. Excessive force, drawing blood or causing a KO or TKO can and will result in DISQUALIFICATION!

  12. Sport-Boxing FULL:
    From 16yrs upwards
    8 Counts will be scored as 10-8 round or 10-7 if 2 knock downs
    3 knock downs in 1 round the fight is over 
    Competitors can win from KO, TKO or Stoppage without being Disqualified

​

Foul Techniques:

  1. No punches to the back of the head allowed

  2. No kidney punches allowed

  3. No Punches below the belt allowed

  4. Fighters must protect themselves at all times!

  5. No hitting after the bell

  6. No Head butts, Elbows, Knees or kicks allowed

  7. Illegal blows may result in disqualification, which is at the referees discretion

  8. No wrestling or hugging allowed.

​

Contest rounds and length:

  1. Sport-Boxing Open Tournament rounds will be 2 x 1 min rounds with 30 sec rest for preliminary rounds, then 3 x 1 min rounds with 30 sec rest for Final.
    Box-Light Open Tournament rounds will be 1 x 1.5 min rounds for preliminary rounds, then 2 x 1 min rounds with 30 sec rest for Final

  2. Gala None Title rounds to be of 1.5 minutes duration, and one minute’s time between rounds.

  3. Gala Title rounds to be of 5 x 2 minutes duration, with one minute’s rest time between rounds.

 

WKO Sanction requirements:

  1. An event that is not sanctioned by WKO and does not have WKO officials present will not be recognised nor insured through WKO

  2. All WKO events must have, WKO Event insurance, WKO Chief official/REP, WKO recognised qualified Referee, WKO recognised and qualified judges

  3. All WKO events must have registered and qualified medical supervision

  4. Sport-Boxing LIGHT & Box-light Requires the minimum level of cover:
    2 x     Advanced First Aiders

  5. Sport-Boxing FULL requires minimum level of cover:
    1 x Paramedic
    1 x Advance First Aider
    1 x Doctor
    1 x Ambulance (Not mandatory but recommended)

​

Scoring System:

  1. All bouts shall be scored on a 10 point must system.

  2. Sport-Boxing LIGHT: 8 counts may be given to allow a fighter to compose themselves at the referees discretion. But shall not be scored as an automatic 10-8 round.

  3. Each round shall be scored individually based on skill NOT force from clean shots landed ONLY

  4. If a boxer purposely and continues to over power their opponent the referee may disqualify the offending boxer

  5. Sport-Boxing FULL 8 counts will be scored 10-8 for st knock down in a round 10-7 if 2 knock downs in the round.
    3 knock downs in one round will result in a TKO
    5 knock downs in the whole fight will result in TKO

  6. Each round shall be scored individually based on skill & Effectiveness of shots landed from clean shots landed ONLY

  7. Scoring on skill shall be over clean shots landed, effective defence and ring craft.

  8. Effective defence will be classed as evading shots and successfully countering shots.

 

Rules of Conduct:

  1. If either Boxer falls through weakness or otherwise, he must get up unassisted, 10 seconds to be allowed him to do so, the other man meanwhile to return to a neutral corner, and when the fallen man is on his legs the round is to be resumed and continued until the round times have expired. If one man fails to come to the scratch in the 10 seconds allowed, it shall be in the power of the referee to give the win in favor of the other fighter.

  2. A fighter hanging on the ropes in a helpless state, with his toes off the ground, shall be considered down.

  3. No seconds or any other person to be allowed in the ring during the rounds.

  4. Should the contest be stopped by any unavoidable interference, the referee to name the time and place as soon as possible for finishing the contest; so that the match must be won and lost?

  5. The gloves to be fair-sized boxing gloves of the best quality and in suitable condition for competitive bouts:
    8yrs and Under 80z Gloves 
    9yrs and over 10oz Gloves

  6. Should a glove burst, or come off, it must be replaced to the referee’s satisfaction.

  7. A competitor on one knee is considered down and if struck is entitled to the win.

  8. No shoes or boots with spikes be allowed.

  9. The contest in all other respects to be governed by WKO

  10. Sport-Boxing is strictly an amateur fighting sport, no purses are to be paid other than agreed ticket commission agreed between event Organiser and Sport-Boxer.

  11. Sport-Boxing events are for martial arts based clubs to gain experience of the art of boxing. Under a strict controlled and safe environment. And is not to be measured alongside the ABA or BBBoC

​

Hydration of Athletes:

​

Athletes in combat sports experience body water fluctuations resulting from training and intentional dehydration when making weight. 

​

WKO must remind all athletes that intentional dehydration when making weight is strictly prohibited. Anyone identified as using this method to cut weight will be disqualified.

​

Once a fighter has made weight safely they are required to replenish lost salts and electrolytes along with sufficient levels of water in take.

​

Once rehydrated safely after the weigh in, WKO recommends athletes only consume water or isotonic drinks the day before due to fight.

​

On the day of the fight/s athletes must monitor their fluid intake of water or isotonic drinks. For the duration of the bouts athletes are only permitted to consume WATER ONLY. WKO do not recommend consuming isotonic drinks during any bout being contested.

​

Fizzy drinks or Alcohol will not be permitted for consumption at ringside during any bout being contested.

​

Water is the only substance to be allowed for consumption by an athlete during any type of bout being contested.

​

ALL RULES MUST BE ADHERED TO DISCIPLINARY ACTION WILL BE TAKEN IF NOT!!!

​

bottom of page