🏛️Official — WBC
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10 essential rules
The World Boxing Council (WBC) is one of the four major organizations that sanction professional boxing bouts worldwide. Founded in 1963 in Mexico City, the WBC has been at the forefront of establishing comprehensive rules and regulations to govern championship boxing, protect the welfare of figh...
All WBC championship bouts are scored using the 10-point must system. The following principles apply: The winner of each round receives ten (10) points and the loser receives nine (9) points or less.; If the round is even, both contestants receive ten (10) points.; A round with a knockdown is sco...
Appeals of bout decisions or results must be submitted in writing to the WBC Board of Directors within a specified period following the bout. The appeal must include the date, time, and location of...
Intentional clinching or holding is not permitted. When a clinch occurs, the referee shall order the contestants to break cleanly and step back before resuming boxing.
Each contestant is permitted no more than four (4) cornermen (seconds) during the bout. Only one second may enter the ring between rounds.
If the bout goes the full scheduled distance, the decision is determined by the judges' scorecards: Unanimous Decision: All three judges score the bout in favor of the same contestant.; Split Decision: Two of three judges score the bout in favor of one contestant, while one judge scores it for th...
The WBC works with the Voluntary Anti-Doping Association (VADA) to promote effective anti-doping practices in boxing. The use of illegal or performance-enhancing drugs or stimulants before or during a championship contest shall be sufficient cause for disqualification.
Championship Bouts: All WBC championship bouts shall be scheduled for twelve (12) rounds of three (3) minutes each, with a one (1) minute rest period between rounds.; Non-Title Bouts: Non-title bouts may be scheduled for four (4), six (6), eight (8), or ten (10) rounds as determined by the promot...
All contestants must wear gloves that meet WBC specifications: Junior Flyweight through Welterweight (up to 147 lbs): Eight (8) ounce gloves shall be worn.; Junior Middleweight through Heavyweight (above 147 lbs): Ten (10) ounce gloves shall be worn.; Gloves must be new, clean, and in good condit...
Each contestant is permitted to use soft surgical bandage not exceeding the following: Flyweight through Welterweight: One roll of soft surgical bandage, not over two inches (2") wide, per hand.; Junior Middleweight through Heavyweight: One roll of soft surgical bandage, not over two inches (2") ...
The following actions constitute fouls and may result in point deductions or disqualification: Hitting below the belt line.; Hitting an opponent who is down or is rising from a knockdown.; Holding and hitting simultaneously.
Do not taunt or stand over a downed opponent
When an opponent is knocked down, custom requires retreating calmly to a neutral corner. Standing directly over the fallen fighter, pointing, dancing, or directing theatrics at them during the referee's count is considered a serious violation of the sport's warrior code and widely condemned.
The corner is obligated to throw in the towel
Trainers and corner staff are culturally required to stop a fight by throwing in the towel when their fighter is in serious danger, even against the fighter's wishes. Failing to do so when a fighter is clearly defenseless is viewed as a betrayal of the corner's protective duty and a violation of boxing's ethic of care.
Eddie Futch stopping Joe Frazier before round 15 of the Thrilla in Manila (1975) is the canonical example of this tradition honored correctly.
Champions do not duck mandatory challengers
Boxing culture—especially within the WBC, which maintains a strict mandatory challenger system—holds that champions who repeatedly delay or avoid mandatory title defenses are 'ducking.' The code requires a true champion to fight the best available opponent, not to maneuver around obligations through promotional conflicts or scheduling.
The WBC has formal mandatory mechanisms, but reputational damage from perceived ducking operates independently of any regulatory consequence.
Do not celebrate a knockout with excessive showboating
After stopping an opponent, a fighter is expected to show controlled acknowledgment—raising hands, thanking the crowd, embracing their corner—rather than extended or mocking theatrics. Elaborate dances or gestures directed at the fallen fighter are broadly condemned in boxing circles.
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