Amateur Boxing vs. Professional Boxing

Rules and regulations vary between amateur boxing and professional boxing.  Listed below are some basic disparities regarding organizaiton, safety, rules, etc.  

Organization
Amateur:  All amateur boxing is under the jurisdiction of a single, unified national governing body (NGB). As an NGB, USA Boxing has jurisdiction over the administration and rules of competition for amateur boxing in the United States.

Professional:  Many state-controlled commissions have different sets of rules. Therefore, no such single, unified body exists, nor is there one singular set of standards, rules and guidelines.

International
A:  Amateur boxing uses the same set of rules worldwide. While USA Boxing's rules conform completely to the international rules, USA Boxing has more stringent rules in some areas for safety.

P:  Has different sets of rules - World Boxing Organization (WBO), International Boxing Federation (IBF), etc., and those set by state commissions.

Philosophy
A:  The main objective is to score points. In amateur boxing, the force of a blow or its effect on the opponent does not count. Therefore, the knockout is a by-product in amateur boxing. A blow that knocks a boxer to the mat receives no more credit than a regular blow. A knockdown is scored as a single blow and does not necessarily make the boxer the winner of that round.

P:  Added weight is given to a blow based on its impact and effect on one's opponent. Therefore, the knockdown and/or knockout is an objective in the pros.

Safety during the competition
A:  Form-fitted mouthpieces are required and must be worn at all times.  If it falls out, it is replaced immediately.

P:  The rule applies to pro contests in certain states, but is not uniform.

A:  Headguards are mandatory in the U.S. and in major international competitions.

P:  Headguards are prohibited.

A:  Boxers receive standing eight-counts. This is a safety precaution that gives the referee eight seconds to evaluate the condition of the boxer.  Based on his/her decision, the bout may continue or be stopped.

P:  Certain pro world bodies have recently adopted this rule.

A:  Injury - referee stops the action and takes the boxer to the corner for the physician's opinion. Based on the physician's evaluation, the bout will either continue or be stopped. The physician may suspend the action at his/her discretion at any point during the match to examine a boxer. The physician may also examine a boxer between rounds. The physician's decision to stop or continue a match is binding.

P:  Under some rules, it is the same.

A:  More control is exercised by the referee in the ring. Referees caution boxers to let them know that they are violating fundamentals and rules.

P:  Boxer is only warned for a harm foul, blow-type infraction - not for technique.

A:  Referee will stop the bout if a boxer is out-classed.

P:  Referee is authorized to stop the bout but rarely does due to financial and TV arrangements.

A:  If a bout is stopped because of blows to the head, the boxer is not allowed to compete or work out in the gym for a specified period of time.

P:  This may be done, but not in all cases and depends on the state.

A:  All amateurs are registered with USA Boxing.

P:  No single system exists.  It is controlled by local groups.

A:  The criteria for stopping bouts due to injury are stricter - i.e. lacerations or swelling which block vision will cause the bout to be stopped.

P:  Rules are less strict on injuries that stop a bout - i.e. a boxer will continue to box if his eye is swollen shut or if a cut around the eye, nose or mouth is badly bleeding.

A:  The use of the head (butting) is strictly regulated.  Boxers are cautioned and then may be warned or lose points if they continue.

P:  Head butting is laxly controlled.

A:  A blow counts for scoring only if the knuckle surface is used; slapping, etc., is not allowed nor does it count for points. Therefore, the striking area is limited to the knuckle of the fist and must hit the front and side of the head and body above the waist.

P:  Not as much attention is given to the placement of scoring blows.

A:  The bell cannot save a boxer from a stopped contest. The count continues to completion, regardless of when the bell rings (except in finals of a tournament, such as the Olympics, Pan Am Games or U.S. Championships).

P:  Depending on state rules, a boxer can be saved from a knockout by the ringing of the bell.

A:  Three standing eight-counts in one round or four in a match automatically stops a bout.

P:  This is waived in some circumstances.

Gloves
A:  Internationally, amateur boxers use 10-ounce gloves for all weight classes. In U.S. competitions, they use 10-ounce gloves for 106 to 152 pounds and 12-ounce for 165 to +201 pounds and must be thumb-attached or thumbless.

P:  Use 8-ounce gloves.

A:  Attempt to design gloves to absorb shock.

P:  Designed to transmit force, except in rare instances, where groups are attempting to improve.

Physical
A:  Pre- and post-bout physicals are mandatory. In a tournament, the boxer has an initial physical and then has one each day he competes along with post-bout exams.

P:  Same as above.

Attire
A:  A boxer wears a top to aid in identification as well as to absorb sweat, dirt, and keep gloves cleaner.

P:  Do not wear tops.

A:  A boxer may not wear a beard or goatee; a thin, pencil-line moustache is allowed. Hair may not impair vision.

P:  No such rules.

Rounds
A:  Four, two-minute rounds, with one-minute break in between. For Junior Olympic boxers, rounds are graduated in length from one minute to two minutes, depending on age-group.

P:  Vary considerably.

Rules
A:  Can refer to specific rules which govern or regulate a point or area. An official rule book exists.

P:  Have rule books, not one that is complete or universally used.