How many warnings before a boxer is disqualified?
I · Intermediate · Fouls and penalties · 2 of 5The referee has three steps. A caution is a telling-off with no cost. A warning takes 1 point off the boxer's score on every judge's card. A third warning in a bout is automatic disqualification, and a serious foul can bring disqualification at once.
How it works
- The referee may caution, warn or disqualify at their discretion, with or without earlier steps.
- To give a warning the referee says "stop", shows the offence to the boxer and then to the official at the table, who has it entered in the scoring system.
- Each warning: 1 point off the total, per judge.
- Third warning: disqualification.
- A headbutt or other serious illegal blow that causes no injury: a warning.
- A headbutt or other illegal blow that causes an injury or a cut: the offender is disqualified.
- If the referee did not see a suspected foul, they may consult the judges.
- A boxer who does not obey the referee at once, or behaves offensively or aggressively towards the referee, may be disqualified.
- An irregularity in the hand wraps found after the bout, which the referee believes gave an advantage: disqualification.
Tricky cases
Does a caution cost points?
No. Only a warning does.
Can a boxer be disqualified without any warning?
Yes. The referee disqualifies a boxer for a serious foul with or without a previous warning.
A boxer was warned twice in round one and once in round three. Are they disqualified?
Yes. It is the third warning in the bout that counts, not in a round.
Why the rule exists
A point is a heavy price in a three-round bout, so a warning changes behaviour quickly. The fixed limit of three keeps a persistent fouler from spoiling the contest.
Where it differs
| Where | What changes | Source |
|---|---|---|
| World Boxing rules | As above | WB 8.11; WB 9.5 |
| Professional boxing | Point deductions are at the referee's discretion, with no fixed limit of three | C |
From the rule book
World Boxing Competition Rules, Rules 8.3.6, 8.3.7, 8.11 and 9.5. Approved November 2024. Checked 14 October 2026. Official document: World Boxing Competition Rules (PDF).