Professional Boxing

Professional boxing is an intense sport and requires strength and precision and a world of strict training. Professional bouts typically range from ten to twelve rounds, much longer then amateur boxing. Four round fights are common for less experienced fighters or club fighters and 2-3 round professional bout exist in Australia as well. Unlimited round boxing existed through the early twentieth century and it usually lasted until one fighter quits or clearly can’t fight anymore. Fifteen rounds were internationally known as the limit for championship until the early 1980s. After the death of boxer Duk Koo Kim, it was reduced to twelve. Scoring for professional boxing are on a Ten Point Must System, which means the boxer who wins a round must be awarded ten points. The opponent will receive nine or less depending on how many knockdowns he suffers. Each knockdown a boxer suffers a point is deducted from their score. So if a Boxer knocks down his opponent three times, the victorious boxer will receive ten points and his competitor will receive seven. The scoring punches include face, side of head, back of head, and the front and sides of the torso. There is limited head and chin protection in this game for headgear is not required and boxers are generally allowed to take a large amount of punishment before a fight is stopped. A referee will stop a fight at anytime if he believes a boxer cannot defend himself due to injury.

If a boxer is injured the other competitor is awarded a technical knockout which results in a win. A technical knockout can also be awarded if a boxer’s punch opens an existing cut on their competitor. In these cases a Cutmen is appointed. Cutmen treat cuts between rounds to keep the boxer in the match and are located at the corners of the ring. Cuts and bruises are common in professional boxing because a boxer’s uniform has very limited protection and padding. Boxers are typically bare-chested and sport a pair of decorated shorts. These shorts usually represent the boxer by displaying their nickname or colored in a way that represents their country or origin. Successful boxers can make up to five hundred dollars a four bout match. Boxers who make it to the top can earn up to millions per match which clearly shows that this highly demanding game could be well worth the punishment.