Section 3773-2-02 - Ohio will adopt the "Association of Boxing Commission" uniform championship rules for all boxing events(A) No boxing contest shall be scheduled for more than twelve rounds, of three minutes duration, and one minute rest period(B) Referee is the sole arbitrator of a bout and is the only individual authorized to stop a contest. The referee shall be approved by the commission and will not score the contest.(C) All bouts will be evaluated and scored by three judges approved by the commission.(D) "Ten Points Must System" will be standard system of scoring a bout. Judges are to score each round using the following criteria:(2) Effective aggressiveness(E) At the conclusion of each round, the judges shall score that round and submit their scorecard to the referee who will then submit the cards to the inspector or commission representative. For title bouts the judges will fill out two scorecards for each boxer per round, one card for the sanctioning body and the other for the state commission. (1) Judges may only deduct points when instructed by the referee.(2) In the event that the bout is stopped prior to the round ending, the judges shall score "all" incomplete and partial rounds as if they were completed rounds(F) All boxers are required to wear a mouthpiece during competition. The round cannot begin without the mouthpiece. If the mouthpiece is dislodged during competition, the referee will call time and have the mouthpiece replaced at the first opportune moment, without interfering with the immediate action. The referee may deduct points if it is judged the mouthpiece is being purposely spit out.(G) There is "no" standing eight count.(H) A mandatory eight count after knockdowns will be standard procedure in all bouts.(I) There is "no" three knockdown rule.(J) Determination a of a knockdown It shall be rules a knockdown when as a result of a legal blow or series of legal blows, a contestant:
(1) Touches the canvass with any part of the body other than their feet(2) Is being held up by the ropes(3) Is hanging on, through, or over the ropes without the ability to protect themselves and cannot fall to the floor.(4) Turns their back to their opponent and walks away without protecting themself(K) When a boxer has been knocked down; the referee must immediately order the other boxer to a neutral corner and shall thereafter pick up the count from the timekeeper. The downed boxer will be allowed a ten count in which to rise unassisted. Should the boxer arise before the ten count is reached and go back down immediately without being struck by the opponent, the referee shall resume the count from where they left off. If a contestant is unable to continue at the count of ten, the referee shall declare the opponent the winner by a knockout. A referee may terminate the count and the bout if they decide the safety of the downed opponent is at risk.(L) A boxer shall receive a twenty second count, to re-enter the ring, if the boxer is knocked out of the ring and onto the floor. Failure to re-enter the ring in the prescribed time will cause the boxer to lose the bout. The boxer is to be unassisted by any of their seconds. If assisted by any of their seconds, boxer shall be disqualified by the referee.(M) A boxer who has been knocked down cannot be saved by the bell in any round.(N) If a boxer sustains an injury from a fair blow and the injury is severe enough to terminate the bout, the injured boxer will lose by TKO.(O) Intentional fouls:(1) If an intentional foul causes an injury, and the injury is severe enough to terminate the bout immediately, the boxer causing the injury shall lose by disqualification.(2) If an intentional foul causes an injury and the bout is allowed to continue, the referee will notify the judges to deduct two points from the boxer who caused the foul. Point deductions for intentional fouls are mandatory.(3) If an intentional foul causes an injury and the bout is allowed to continue and the injury results in the bout being stopped in a latter round, the injured boxer will win by a technical decision if they are ahead on the scorecards and if they are behind or even on the scorecards the bout will result in a technical draw. Partial or incomplete rounds will be scored. If no action has occurred, the round should be scored as an even round.(4) If the boxer injures themselves while attempting to intentionally foul the opponent, the referee will take no action in their favor and this injury will be considered the same as if caused by a legal blow.(5) If the referee feels that a boxer has conducted themselves in an unsportsmanlike manner they may stop the bout and disqualify them.(P) Accidental fouls(1) If an accidental foul causes an injury severe enough for the referee to stop the bout immediately, the bout will result in a "No Decision" if stopped before three completed rounds in bouts scheduled for four rounds. If three rounds have been completed in a bout scheduled for four rounds, a technical decision will be awarded to the boxer who is ahead on the scorecards at the time the bout was stopped. Partial or incomplete rounds will be scored. If no action has occurred, the round should be scored as an even round.(2) If a bout is scheduled for more than four rounds and an accidental foul occurs causing an injury severe enough for the referee to stop the bout immediately, the bout will result in a "No Decision" if stopped before four completed rounds. If four rounds have been completed in a bout scheduled for more than four rounds, a technical decision will be awarded to the boxer who is ahead on the scorecards at the time the bout was stopped. Partial or incomplete rounds will be scored. If no action has occurred, the round should be scored as an even round.(3) Rounds are complete when the bell rings signifying the end of that round.(4) A boxer who is hit with an accidental low blow must continue after a reasonable amount of time but no more than five minutes or they will lose the fight.(Q) Fouls A foul is an action by a boxer, identified by the referee that does not meet the standard of a fair blow or the conduct of a responsible professional fighter. Fouls may include, but are not limited to, the following type of contact or acts:
(1) Hitting an opponent below the navel or behind the ear(2) Hitting an opponent who is knocked down(3) Holding an opponent with one hand and hitting with the other(4) Holding or deliberately maintaining a clinch(5) Wrestling, kicking or roughing tactics(6) Pushing an opponent about the ring or into the ropes(7) Hitting with the head, shoulder, elbow, or knee(8) Hitting with an open glove, the butt or inside of the hand, or back of the glove(9) Purposely falling to the canvas of the ring without being hit or for the purpose of avoiding a blow(10) Striking deliberately at the part of the body over the kidneys(11) Rabbit punches (punches thrown to the back of the head and neck areas).(12) Jabbing the eyes with the thumb of the glove(13) Unsportsmanlike conduct causing injury to an opponent that does not meet the standard of a fair blow.se (14) Use of abusive language(15) Hitting on the break(16) Intentionally spitting out the mouthpiece(17) Hitting on or out of the ropes(18) Holding ropes and hitting(20) Not following referee's instructions(21) Crouching below opponents belt(22) Stepping on an opponent(23) Leaving the neutral corner(24) Shouting from a second from the cornerOhio Admin. Code 3773-2-02
Effective: 8/1/2019
Five Year Review (FYR) Dates: 4/11/2019 and 08/01/2024
Promulgated Under: 119.03
Statutory Authority: 3773.34
Rule Amplifies: 3773.34
Prior Effective Dates: 08/19/1984, 02/08/1991, 09/20/2005