Section 7: Violations/Penalties
Fouls
The following actions constitute fouls in WBA-sanctioned bouts:
- Hitting below the belt
- Hitting an opponent who is down or who is in the process of rising from the canvas
- Holding and hitting simultaneously
- Hitting with the head, elbow, forearm, or shoulder (butting)
- Hitting with an open glove, the inside of the glove, the wrist, or the back of the hand
- Hitting on the back of the head or body (rabbit punch)
- Kidney punches (hitting the kidneys from behind)
- Hitting on the break after the referee's command
- Wrestling, roughing, or pushing an opponent
- Excessive clinching or holding
- Using the ropes for leverage when punching
- Biting
- Spitting out the mouthpiece deliberately
- Eye gouging or thumbing
- Unsportsmanlike conduct
Intentional Fouls
If an intentional foul causes an injury severe enough to terminate the bout immediately, the boxer causing the injury loses by disqualification. If the bout continues after an intentional foul, the referee deducts two (2) points from the offending boxer — point deductions for intentional fouls are mandatory.
If an intentional foul causes injury that results in the bout being stopped after the fourth (4th) round, the injured boxer wins by Technical Decision if ahead on the scorecards; the bout results in a Technical Draw if the injured boxer is behind or even.
Accidental Fouls
If an accidental foul causes injury severe enough to stop the bout before four (4) completed rounds, the bout is ruled a No Decision. If the bout is stopped after four (4) completed rounds, a Technical Decision is awarded to the boxer ahead on the scorecards. Partial or incomplete rounds are scored; if no action has occurred, the round is scored even at the judges' discretion.
Low Blows
A fighter hit with an accidental low blow must continue after a reasonable amount of time but no more than five (5) minutes, or the fighter will lose the bout.