For generations now boxing has managed to entertain people across the globe with its display of ability, agility, and intelligence. It has developed great heroes of the track and legendary contests for the spectators of the entire world.
However, newcomers to boxing may be overwhelmed by the boxer’s terminology and strategies, especially during a keen fight. Learning some of the common words used in boxing will go a long way to ensure that newcomers appreciate the sport.
In this article, you will learn the meaning of the basic terms associated with boxing.
Understanding Common Boxing Terms
The sport of boxing utilizes a lot of terms that help with viewing and comprehending the sport even more. Fans can then be able to distinguish different punches, including the jab, cross, hook, and uppercut.
Forces and counters as well as wits and guard refer to the concepts of defense and movement and a fighter’s strategy respectively. An understanding of these terms will afford the new fan a better understanding of particular matches.
Top 10 Essential Boxing Terms Every Fan Should Know
Below are the top 10 essential boxing terms every fan should know:
Weigh-In
A weigh-in session in which boxers assume the weight of their specific class sometime one or two days before the fight. If a fighter does not make the weight he or she can be disqualified or even expelled from the tournament.
Weight Class
This is because all the fighters are divided according to their weight to avoid any try to overpower the opponent. Today, there are 17 registered categories, with boxers switching between classes when they grow up or develop muscles.
Jab
An initial strike utilizing the left hand unlike the Cross; can also be used to gauge range, harass an opponent, or primarily transition to the user’s Power punches.
Hook
A blow is thrown with the fist around the curve and is meant to land on the opponent’s head or belly. Hooks are very dangerous and may at times cause knockouts.
Uppercut
An elevated strike is usually targeted to the opponent’s jaw and one is common within short range whenever there are openings.
Technical Knockout (TKO)
A referee or doctor can stop a fight if a boxer cannot defend themselves and then the opponent will win the fight.
Unanimous Decision
In round-by-round scoring when all three judges come to the same conclusion as to the victor.
Split Decision
Option where two judges awarded one fighter and the third awarded the opponent; staging that suggested the match was a close one.
Orthodox Stance
Liberal for southpaw boxers in which the left foot is forward, it is the most widespread boxing position. Potential users of this stance include; Muhammad Ali and Mike Tyson.
Southpaw Stance
A fighting position where the right foot and hand are in front of the body, usually adopted by the Left-handed fighter. Other great(southpaw) athletes: Manny Pacquiao; and Marvin Hagler.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
In boxing, how many punches are we allowed to throw?
while there are six numbered punches in the boxing punch system, there are four primary types of punches: There is the jab, the cross, the hook, and the uppercut. The numbering of punches named these punches and indicates which hand they throw it.
Which boxer has won the most belts in boxing?
Manny Pacquiao for record most number of division titles in boxing. Other multiple division champions of record are also Oscar De La Hoya, Floyd Mayweather Jr., Sugar Ray Leonard, and Thomas Hearns.
What does the TD in boxing mean?
TD is an abbreviation of Technical Decision. It happens when a fight is stopped due to an injury that has been occasioned by a deliberate foul, and the match is decided on the scorecards. They end up being a Technical Draw if the damaged boxer was losing or even, on the verge of being tied at the time the bout was stopped.
What is the full form of KO in boxing?
KO stands for Knockout. In a boxing match, it refers to a situation where one of the fighters cannot get back on his or her feet after being knocked down or made unconscious by a legal hit and that automatically brings an end to the match.
What are the styles of a boxing match?
The four main boxing styles are: In-boxer stands back and picks his punches, out-boxer moves around a lot to avoid strikes and score a punch, slugger relies heavily on power punches and boxer-puncher combination of the above strategies. Sometimes it is often hard to categorize them strictly to a certain style and sometimes their fighting technique may also change over time.
Conclusion
As fans grasp these key terms, there is a way that they would be able to understand this boxing sport as a whole not just as a plain and simple combat sport.
With this knowledge, they are better placed to not only watch the matches and have a full appreciation of the sport.
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