Expert: Melanie Ley - 5/23/2008

Question
QUESTION: Dear Melanie,
    A while ago I was at a Golden Gloves tournament where a heavyweight took a vicious low blow that appeared intentional; he went down and looked like he wanted to die.  A warning was issued and the fighter was given time to "recover".  When the bout resumed he wasn't the same fighter, clearly had the fight taken out of him and lost by a TKO.  It is my understanding that even a second violation only results in a warning with no points deducted or disqualification.  It seems a fighter can intentionally "soften up" his opponent with one or two uppercuts to the testicles without any cost.  
    My question is why are the rules regarding low blows so liberal?
Thank you,  Mark

ANSWER: Hi Mark - Below is the low blow rule.  There is no "recover" time.  The ref starts a standing 8 count as soon as the boxer goes down and if he doesn't get up by the count of 10, he loses on a RSC.  If the ref determined it was a deliberate harm foul, he should give the other boxer a warning.  If there is a second violation, the ref can give another warning or DQ the other boxer.  Hope this answers your question.    

Blow observed by referee
(a) If a boxer has received a low blow (a punch below the beltline)
and the referee saw the foul blow delivered, the referee shall give
the command “stop” and then issue a caution or warning
(whichever is appropriate) to the boxer delivering the blow. In
the opinion of the referee, if the blow was of such force as to
incapacitate the offended boxer so said boxer cannot continue to
box, the referee shall inform the judges and the jury about the
decision to disqualify the boxer who delivered the low blow.
(b) If a boxer is down as the result of a low blow, the referee will
begin a count (the same as in any knockdown). At the end of the
8 eight count, if the boxer is ready to continue, the referee will
issue a warning to the offending boxer and give the command
“box” to continue the bout. A count, as a result of a low blow,
will not be included in the “compulsory count” for terminating a
bout.


---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Hi Melanie,
  Thank you for responding so quickly.  I'm a little confused though.  You said, "The ref starts a standing 8 count as soon as the boxer goes down and if he doesn't get up by the count of 10, he loses on a RSC. (I don't know what that stands for).
  The rules state,"if the blow was of such force as to
incapacitate the offended boxer so said boxer cannot continue to
box, the referee shall inform the judges and the jury about the
decision to disqualify the boxer who delivered the low blow."  What you said tells me that if the boxer can't continue he loses but what the rule says is that the boxer who delivered the blow is disqualified.  It still seems that one or two blows to the opponent's testicles is a way of creating an advantage without cost.
Again, thank you...Mark

Answer
Sorry - RSC stands for "Referee Stops Contest."  

If the referee decides that the blow was deliberately harmful, the boxer who threw the punches would lose by disqualification.  One, or two, deliberate blows to an opponents groin would definitely cost him in that he would lose.  So there is no advantage in throwing deliberate low blows.  

Once upon a time, before the current low blow rule, boxers who got hit used to have up to 5 minutes to recuperate and their opponent was usually disqualified.  This was changed because too many offended boxers faked being hit low and put on unbelievable acts, like rolling across the ring (my understanding is that with that much pain you can't move).

Hope this is a clearer answer to your questions.