WKO Sport-Boxing Rules & Code of Conduct
WKO Sport-Boxing & Box-Light – Simplified Rules Overview
What is Sport-Boxing & Box-Light?
These disciplines are strictly for martial artists.
If you are not from a martial arts background, you must notify WKO officials before entering.
Anyone withholding this information will be disqualified and lose their insurance cover.
This is an amateur competition format designed to help martial artists develop hand striking and defence in a controlled environment with proper medical cover and qualified officials.
Types of Competition & Contact Levels
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Sport-Boxing FULL (held in a ring) allows full contact. Fighters can win by KO or stoppage.
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Sport-Boxing LIGHT (also in a ring) is light contact only. Knockouts or excessive force can result in disqualification.
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Box-Light (on mats/tatami) is also light contact. KO = disqualification.
Rounds & Fight Duration
In open tournaments, Sport-Boxing preliminary bouts are 2 rounds of 1 minute with 30 seconds rest. Finals are 3 rounds of 1 minute.
Box-Light preliminaries are 1 round of 1.5 minutes. Finals are 2 rounds of 1 minute.
Gala non-title fights are 1.5-minute rounds.
Gala title fights are 5 rounds of 2 minutes, with 1-minute rest periods.
Age, Weight & Medical Requirements
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Minimum age is 5 years.
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Maximum age difference for juniors is 3 years.
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Maximum weight difference under 18 is 3 kg.
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Title fight athletes must pass a fit-to-fight medical.
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None title full contact level bouts athletes must pass a fit-to-fight medical.
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Fighters may receive a 28-day medical suspension where needed.
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Fighters must present a valid and up-to-date license before every bout.
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The license provider must confirm Sport-Boxing is covered under their policy.
Legal Strikes
Permitted techniques include jabs, straights, crosses, hooks, uppercuts, bolo punches, ridge hand strikes, back knuckles, blitz combinations, and jumping reverse punches (Superman punch).
A front-leg sweep (boot to boot only) is allowed for balance disruption of opponents flow.
Equipment Requirements:
Headgear:
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Juniors = Mandatory
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Adults = Optional but recommended
Gumshield and groin guard are mandatory.
Breast protectors are optional but recommended for females.
All fighters must wear a vest or t-shirt and boxing shorts.
Boxers under 12 must wear a top.
Boxing boots are optional. Trainers are allowed, but not recommended. Barefoot is also acceptable.
Boxing Gloves:
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8oz for under 8yrs
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10oz for 9 years and over
Hand Wraps:
Only cotton hand wraps are allowed. Tape cannot cover the knuckles. Gaffa tape is not permitted.
Illegal Techniques
No strikes to the back of the head, kidneys, or below the belt.
No elbows, knees, kicks, headbutts, wrestling, or excessive holding.
No punching after the bell.
No hugging or excessive clinching.
No hitting a downed fighter.
Illegal or malicious blows may result in immediate disqualification.
Medical & Safety Cover
For Sport-Boxing LIGHT and Box-Light, at least two advanced first aiders are required.
For Sport-Boxing FULL, minimum medical cover must include:
One doctor
One paramedic
One advanced first aider
An ambulance is recommended but not mandatory.
Scoring System
All bouts use the 10-Point Must System.
Each round is judged separately. The winner receives 10 points. The opponent receives 9, 8, or 7 based on performance and knockdowns.
In LIGHT divisions:
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8-counts may be issued for safety, but they don’t count as 10-8 rounds.
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Excessive force, drawing blood, or knockouts may lead to disqualification.
In FULL divisions:
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One knockdown in a round = 10-8 score.
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Two knockdowns in a round = 10-7.
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Three knockdowns in a single round or five in total = TKO.
Judges score based on clean strikes landed, effective defence, and ring control.
Clean shots are those that land accurately, are not blocked or deflected, and show control and intention.
Conduct & Discipline
If a fighter falls or is knocked down, they have 10 seconds to stand up unaided. The opponent must move to a neutral corner.
A fighter hanging on the ropes with toes off the ground is considered down.
A fighter on one knee is also considered down and cannot be struck.
No one is allowed in the ring during a round, including seconds or coaches.
If gloves come off or burst, they must be replaced to the referee’s satisfaction.
Contests affected by unavoidable interruptions can be rescheduled by the referee.
Event & Insurance Requirements
Only WKO-sanctioned events with WKO officials, qualified referees, and registered medical staff will be insured.
Unsanctioned events are not recognised or covered by WKO.
Sport-Boxing is strictly amateur – no purses or payments except ticket commission as agreed.
Winning & Judging Criteria
To win, a fighter must land more clean and effective strikes over the course of the match. Judges assess:
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Number and quality of clean shots
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Effective defence and counters
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Control of the ring and pace
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Willingness to engage and dominate
Hydration Guidelines
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Intentional dehydration to make weight is prohibited. Offenders will be disqualified.
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After weigh-in, fighters must rehydrate safely with water or isotonic drinks.
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On the day of the fight, only WATER is allowed during bouts.
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Isotonic drinks, fizzy drinks, and alcohol are banned at ringside.
No Pre-Workout drinks/powders allowed to be consumed before a bout is to be contested
Final Notes
Sport-Boxing is designed to help martial artists gain boxing experience in a safe, controlled, and regulated environment.
It is not to be compared with ABA or BBBoC boxing.
All rules must be followed. Disciplinary action will be taken for violations.