THE PROFESSIONAL BOXING REFEREE MANUAL 2014 “STRIVING TO BE THE VERY BEST” Contents INTRODUCTION.......................................................... 4 DISCLAIMMER, WAIVER OF RIGHTS AND INDEMNITY........................... 5 CREDITS............................................................... 6 DEDICATION............................................................ 7 ABOUT THE AUTHOR...................................................... 8 THE REFEREE........................................................... 9 The Referee’s worst enemies ......................................... 9 Personal conduct and ethics ......................................... 9 Medical considerations for the Referee ............................. 10 The Referee’s attire and dress ..................................... 10 Powers of the Referee .............................................. 11 Advice to the Referee .............................................. 12 What makes a good Referee? ......................................... 12 Referee training ................................................... 14 Working sparring matches in the gym .............................. 14 Studying one’s duties ............................................ 15 Attending training seminars ...................................... 15 THE RULES OF BOXING.................................................. 16 Association of Boxing Commissions’ Uniform Rules of Boxing ......... 17 TECHNICAL REFEREE GUIDELINES FOR THE UNIFORM RULES OF BOXING......... 18 SCORING AREA......................................................... 36 Fair blow in boxing ................................................ 37 Illustration of the legal and foul areas ........................... 37 PRE BOUT RESPONSIBILITIES............................................ 38 Dressing Room – Key issues to discuss .............................. 38 Verbal commands and hand signals ................................... 40 Basic hand signals ................................................. 41 BASIC SPANISH VERBAL COMMANDS........................................ 43 UPON ENTERING THE RING............................................... 45 The boxer’s dress and equipment .................................... 45 The female boxer’s equipment ....................................... 45 Center ring instructions ........................................... 46 ONCE THE BELL RINGS.................................................. 46 Movement and positioning ........................................... 47 Shortening the distance ............................................ 47 The Open or Dominant side .......................................... 48 One-minute rest period ............................................. 49 FOULS................................................................ 49 Concussive head impact fouls ....................................... 49 Outline of common fouls ............................................ 49 WHEN IS IT OK TO STOP A BOUT?........................................ 63 MOST SERIOUS CUTS.................................................... 64 Approved medicine for cuts ......................................... 65 RECOMMENDED REFEREE ACTIONS, BASIC MECHANICS AND SAFETY INFORMATION.. 65 REFEREE MECHANICS.................................................... 66 Legal knockdown .................................................... 66 Counting the downed boxer .......................................... 66 Stopping the count ................................................. 66 Serious knockdowns ................................................. 67 Double knockdowns .................................................. 67 EVALUATING THE DOWNED BOXER.......................................... 67 TECHNICAL KNOCKOUT................................................... 68 KNOCKOUT............................................................. 68 HANDLING A KNOCKED OUT BOXER......................................... 69 KNOCKDOWN MECHANICS.................................................. 69 SLIP MECHANICS....................................................... 70 TEMPORARY STOP MECHANICS............................................. 70 Consideration for calling a temporary stop to the action ........... 70 ACCIDENTAL HEADBUTT MECHANICS WHEN THERE MAY BE INJURY............... 71 LOW BLOW MECHANICS IN CASES WHEN THERE MAY BE INJURY................. 71 POINT DEDUCTION MECHANICS............................................ 72 Considerations for deducting points ................................ 72 DISLODGED MOUTHPIECE MECHANICS....................................... 73 Considerations when handling a dislodged mouthpiece ................ 73 Common mistakes in handling a dislodged mouthpiece ................. 74 WHEN A BOUT GOES THE DISTANCE........................................ 75 THE SAFETY TEAM...................................................... 75 WORKING WITH THE RINGSIDE PHYSICIAN.................................. 75 WORKING WITH THE INSPECTORS.......................................... 76 THE TIMEKEEPER AND KNOCKDOWN JUDGE................................... 77 CONCLUSIONS.......................................................... 78 INTRODUCTION I have prepared the “The Professional Boxing Referee Manual” using materials from all over the world of boxing. Many outstanding officials have contributed to it. The manual is a living document that I have continually updated since 1994. The manual was formulated to be applicable to the general rules and principals of professional boxing. Although not all inclusive, the periodic reading of this manual will assist Referees in maintaining their high level of expertise, while at the same time developing their skills. It will also give keen insight to other boxing officials and sport enthusiasts so that they may better understand the difficulty of achieving greatness in this key aspect to the success of the sport of boxing. As a smart man once said, “Refereeing professional boxing is the most difficult officiating position in sports”. Respectfully, Armando Garcia 4 DISCLAIMMER, WAIVER OF RIGHTS AND INDEMNITY The “The Professional Boxing Referee Manual” was prepared by Armando Garcia in an effort to establish a criterion for dealing with numerous referee situations and as an attempt to interpret professional boxing rules in a simple manner. The manual is not all-inclusive. Although he has a vast boxing resume, the views, opinions, and/or recommendations contained in the ”The Professional Boxing Referee Manual” reflect his own interpretation of referee rules and procedures. Furthermore, since it is possible that general information herein may pertain only to a law, regulation, rule or acceptable standard of practice for a particular jurisdiction, a referee, boxer or his/her representatives must always inquire with the appropriate licensing jurisdiction to determine the applicable laws, regulations, rules, and acceptable standards of practice for each jurisdiction. All readers are advised that the information herein is intended solely as a general reference source, and to the fullest extent permitted by law, the information is provided “AS IS” without any warranties of any kind, whether expressed or implied, including without limitation, warranties of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose and non-infringement. No one may rely on the accuracy, integrity, quality, or completeness of the general information herein. Accordingly, neither the author nor anyone else affiliated with any website or press entity may be held liable for damages of any kind whatsoever allegedly caused or resulting from any such claimed reliance. The manual cannot be sold for personal gain. It has been produced ‘for the love of the game’. It is free of charge and can be disseminated to anyone completely or in part. However, it remains the property of the author. If anyone has any questions about this Disclaimer, Waiver of Rights, and Indemnity, or the “The Professional Boxing Referee Manual”, he, or she should contact Armando Garcia at: [email protected] 5 CREDITS So where did this material come from? Mainly, it is my personal interpretation of a referee’s duties in specific situations that I have picked up from watching great referees and from, of course, trial and error. In essence, this manual outlines my refereeing philosophy. I also obtained some materials and concepts from the many seminars that I have attended since 1987. Specifically, materials such as: USA Boxing Rule books and their “Introduction to Olympic Boxing” booklet AIBA Rule books and their “Commentary on the Rules of Olympic Boxing” booklet 1994 and 1995 World Boxing Association seminar handouts 1999 World Boxing Council seminar handout The handout titled “Cuts” that was given out at the 2002 ABC convention (unknown author) Ringside Training and Principals book I want to give particular credit to those officials and friends that I can distinctly remember gave their opinion to the manual in one way or another. There are so many to mention. 6 DEDICATION This manual is respectfully dedicated to those brave souls who have entered the ring and have fallen and left us forever. May they rest in peace. 7 ABOUT THE AUTHOR Armando Garcia was a professional boxing official and referee training facilitator for almost twenty years. He is a former International Amateur Boxing Association (AIBA) Continental Bureau Referee/Judge for the USA. Armando has refereed 31 world championship bouts and judged 14 others from 1994 to 2005. He has also refereed