OLYMPIC BOXING

I’ve always found it fascinating that boxing, a sport where two people try to punch each other in the face, has been around for centuries. There’s just something strangely thrilling about it, don’t you think? Well, Olympic boxing takes this raw and intense sport and turns it into something that can be played on an international stage.

SETUP

A boxing ring is like a raised square box that’s 3-5 feet tall and about 16-25 feet wide. It’s got four posts at each corner and ropes going all around it. The ring also has a cushioned floor to keep boxers safe if they fall.

In Olympic boxing, boxers can only fight each other if they’re in the same weight class. That’s why it’s a big deal for fighters to stay at the right weight. Here are the different weight classes in Olympic boxing:

– 51kg (112lbs)

– 57kg (125.6lbs)

– 63.5kg (140lbs)

– 71kg (156.5lbs)

– 80kg (176.4lbs)

– 92kg (202.8lbs)

– 92kg+ (202.8lbs+)

– 50kg (110lbs)

– 54kg (120lbs)

– 57kg (125.6lbs)

Your Body Mass Index (BMI)

Hey there! Have you ever wondered what your body mass index (BMI) is and why it’s important? Well, let’s find out together!

BMI is a simple calculation that can tell you if you have a healthy body weight in relation to your height. It’s a helpful tool for understanding where you stand on the weight spectrum.

So, how do you calculate your BMI? It’s quite simple! You just need to know your weight and height. Once you have those numbers, you can use a formula to calculate your BMI and determine if you fall into a certain weight category.

There are a few different weight categories based on BMI. Here are a few examples:

• If your BMI is less than 18.5, you are considered underweight.
• If your BMI falls between 18.5 and 24.9, you are in the normal weight range.
• If your BMI is between 25 and 29.9, you are classified as overweight.
• If your BMI is 30 or higher, you are considered obese.

It’s important to remember that BMI is not a perfect measurement. It doesn’t take into account factors like muscle mass or body composition. It’s simply one tool to help give you a general idea of your weight status.

Now that you know a bit more about BMI, you can decide whether it’s something you want to calculate for yourself. If you’re curious, there are plenty of online calculators that can do the math for you!

In Olympic boxing, the bouts are divided into rounds. Men have three rounds, each lasting three minutes, while women have four rounds, with each round being two minutes long. A ringing bell marks the start and end of each round, and boxers are only allowed to exchange blows during these rounds.

When it comes to the punches thrown in boxing, boxers can only use their gloves to strike their opponents. Hitting below the belt or targeting the back of the neck or head is strictly prohibited.

Scoring in boxing matches is done by the judges. There are five judges in total, and each judge decides the winner of each round based on several factors. These include the number of punches landed, knockdowns, round domination, fouls committed, and defensive ability displayed by the boxers. The judges carefully consider all these aspects before making their decision.

After each round, the judges will give the winning fighter 10 points. The fighter who loses the round will get between six and nine points, depending on how close the round was.

For example, let’s say both fighters did well in a round, but one of them got knocked down. The judges will most likely give the round to the fighter who didn’t get knocked down, with a score of 10-9. However, if one fighter completely dominated the round, the score could be 10-8 or even 10-7.

KNOCKDOWNS

When a fighter gets knocked down, the referee starts counting to ten. The fighter has to get back up before the count is over and show they can continue the fight. If, after ten seconds, the boxer is still on the ground or using the ring ropes for support, the fight is over and the fighter is considered knocked out.

When it comes to boxing, the referee plays a crucial role in ensuring fair play and safety. They have the authority to stop a match if they believe a fighter is unable to continue after getting knocked down. This is to protect the well-being of the fighters.

Fouls are violations of the rules in boxing. If a fighter commits a foul during a bout, it can have an impact on how the judges score the match. Typically, a warning is given for the first offense, and if the fighter repeats the foul, a point may be deducted by the referee. Here are some examples of boxing fouls:

1. Striking below the belt: Hitting your opponent in the groin area is strictly prohibited.

2. Holding and hitting: Holding your opponent and then striking them is not allowed.

3. Ignoring the referee’s instruction: If the referee instructs a fighter to go to a neutral corner and they continue to strike their opponent, it is considered a foul.

4. Using prohibited body parts: Apart from closed fists, hitting with other body parts like the elbows, wrists, open gloves, knees, feet, or head is against the rules.

5. Eye-thumb contact: Contacting your opponent’s eye with the thumb of your glove is a foul.

6. Hitting the kidneys: Striking your opponent’s kidneys is not permitted.

These fouls are important to understand because they can affect the outcome of a match and may result in penalties. It’s crucial for boxers to adhere to the rules and compete in a fair and sportsmanlike manner. By following these guidelines, a boxer can ensure a more enjoyable and successful boxing experience.

When I step into the boxing ring, I make sure to follow the rules of the sport. It’s important for me to play fair and be a good sportsman. This means I can’t do anything unsportsmanlike that would give me an unfair advantage over my opponent. Some examples of unsportsmanlike conduct include hitting my opponent in the back of the head, punching them after the bell, biting them (I’m looking at you, Mike Tyson!), or any other behavior that goes against the rules of fair play.

Now, let’s talk about how a boxing match comes to an end. There are two main ways to win a boxing match – by knockout or by decision.

When it comes to winning by knockout, it’s the most exciting way for a match to end. One fighter shows their superiority and dominance by making their opponent unable to continue. If an opponent is knocked down and can’t get back up within 10 seconds, or if they’re hit and lose consciousness, the referee instantly declares a knockout.

On the other hand, winning by decision means that the match goes the distance, and the outcome is determined by the judges. They take into account the fighters’ performance throughout the match, considering factors like the number of successful hits, defense, and overall strategy. After carefully evaluating these aspects, the judges declare a winner based on their scores.

So, whether it’s a thrilling knockout or a hard-fought decision, the end of a boxing match is always a captivating moment. It’s a testament to the skill, determination, and sportsmanship of the boxers involved.

A boxing match can end in a technical knockout (TKO). This happens when a fighter is hit in the head excessively without being knocked down, and the ref stops the match to avoid serious injury. The match can also end in a TKO if a fighter gets injured and can’t continue or if their trainer throws a towel into the ring.

Deciding the winner

If neither fighter is knocked out in a 3-round fight, the winner is determined by the judges’ scores. The judges add up the points from each round to decide who wins. If all five judges agree on the same winner, it’s called a unanimous decision. But if the rounds are close and not all judges agree, it’s a split decision.