Page "Boxing" Paragraph 28

In general, boxers are prohibited from hitting below the belt, holding, tripping, pushing, biting, or spitting.

The boxer's shorts are raised so the opponent is not allowed to hit to the groin area with intent to cause pain or injury.

Failure to abide by the former may result in a foul or wallet slap.

They also are prohibited from kicking, head-butting, or hitting with any part of the arm other than the knuckles of a closed fist ( including hitting with the elbow, shoulder or forearm, as well as with open gloves, the wrist, the inside, back or side of the hand ).

They are prohibited as well from hitting the back, back of the neck or head ( called a " rabbit-punch ") or the kidneys.

They are prohibited from holding the ropes for support when punching, holding an opponent while punching, or ducking below the belt of their opponent ( dropping below the waist of your opponent, no matter the distance between ).

If a " clinch " – a defensive move in which a boxer wraps his or her opponents arms and holds on to create a pause – is broken by the referee, each fighter must take a full step back before punching again ( alternatively, the referee may direct the fighters to " punch out " of the clinch ).

When a boxer is knocked down, the other boxer must immediately cease fighting and move to the furthest neutral corner of the ring until the referee has either ruled a knockout or called for the fight to continue.