Boxing Terms Explained: The Vocabulary of Boxing

Were you confused by some of the terms used in the last boxing flick you watched on TV? Over the decades the world of boxing has coined a definite set of words to describe boxing weights, boxing styles, boxing equipment, and the different techniques and punches used in boxing. If you wonder what they mean by lightweight, bantamweight, speed bags, and sparring gloves, you will definitely find this article useful. Boxing terminology or the vocabulary of boxing will also be useful to those who want to ‘float like a butterfly and sting like a bee’ as Muhammad Ali puts it.

The following is a list of boxing terms for writing and speaking about boxing. Learn boxing terminology and vocabulary with ease.

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Boxing Terms	Meanings and Explanation
apron	The apron is the part of a ring that extends beyond the ropes
back-pedal	To back-pedal is to retreat from an opponent while still facing them
bantamweight	Bantamweight is the professional weight category of maximum 54kg (118lb)
belt	Belt is an imaginary line around the waist below which punches are prohibited
blocking	Blocking is the use of the shoulders, arms, or hands to prevent an opponents punch from landing cleanly
bob and weave	To bob and weave is to make quick bodily movements up and down and from side to side in order to dodge punches. In boxing bobbing moves the head laterally and beneath an incoming punch. As the opponent's punch arrives, the fighter bends the legs quickly and simultaneously shifts the body either slightly right or left. Fighters generally begin the bob and weave to the left, as most opponents strike with their left hand, or jab hand first.
body blow	Body blow is a punch to the body
bolo	Bolo is a long sweeping uppercut (said to resemble a slash with a bolo knife). When used in boxing, the bolo punch's range of motion is like that of a hook combined with an uppercut. As such, the punch should be thrown at 45 o'clock from an orthodox boxer's perspective. Its most important aspect is a circular motion performed with one arm to distract an opponent, causing the opponent to either take his eyes off the attacker's other arm or actually focus on the fighter's circling arm. When the opponent concentrates on the hand that is circling, the bolo puncher will usually sneak in a punch with the opposite hand. When the rival concentrates on the hand that is not moving, the bolo puncher will usually follow through with a full punch.
bout	Bout is a contest
boxer	Boxer is a person who boxes or is skilled in the sport
boxing gloves	Boxing gloves are the special padded gloves worn by boxers
boxing match	Boxing match is a match or contest between two boxers
boxing ring	Boxing ring is the fuller term for a ring
boxing weight	Boxing weight is the particular weight category at which boxers are matched
break!	Break! is a command by the referee to the boxers in a clinch to separate
canvas	Canvas is the floor of a ring.
cauliflower ear	Cauliflower ear is an ear permanently swollen and disfigured by repeated blows [in appearance resembling the clumped shape of a cauliflower]
caution	Caution is a reprimand given to a boxer by the referee following an infringement, three such reprimands usually resulting in a warning
champion	Champion is a competitor who has excelled all others
chin	Chin is the ability to withstand punches
clinch	To clinch is to hold one's opponent in such a way that he cannot throw punches
combination	Combination is a series of punches thrown in quick succession
corkscrew	Corkscrew is a punch thrown with the elbow out and a twisting motion of the wrist
corner	Corner is one of the diagonally opposite angles of the ring, where a boxer sits between rounds and is attended by a second; it is also used as another term for the second himself
corner man	Corner man is another term for a second

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