Boxing Knockouts

Knockout Basics

A knockout is a term used in combat sports to declare a competitor unable to continue the fight any more. This happens when the competitor cannot get up after being knocked to the ground, if they are unconscious, or if they have a significant injury rendering them incapable of more activity. Knockouts occur in many sports such as kickboxing, Thai boxing, mixed martial arts, and regular boxing. This can often lead to injuries to the head, the most common of which is a concussion. Repeated knockouts (or repeated blows to the head) have been known to result in brain damages, strokes, and paralysis.

Specific to boxing, a fighter is given a count of 10 seconds to get up from the ground after being knocked off their feet. The person may be conscious or unconscious, but if they are not confidently standing on two feet and ready to fight again after 10 seconds, a knockout is ruled. Something known as a technical knockout also exists, if something renders the fighter unable to continue, such as a serious cut resulting from a blow.

Knockout Records

The longest documented bout ending in a knockout took an impressive 77 rounds took place in 1892. Al Couture delivered the fastest knockout in a boxing match during the year 1946 in a bout against Ralph Watson. At the sound of the bell, Couture engaged in a quick surprise attack on Watson who was still readying himself. In just 10.5 seconds Watson was out cold in the shortest professional boxing match in history. The late great Jack Dempsey racked up 49 wins through knockouts, 25 of which occurred in the first round. He came close to Couture’s quick knockout record, delivering knockout blows in the first 14 and first 18 seconds of boxing matches. One of the most prolific deliverers of knockouts was George Foreman, who complied 68 of them throughout his career.

Notable Knockouts

Some strange events surrounding knockouts have taken place in professional boxing. For example, in 1978, boxer Sugar Ray Leonard actually knocked out referee Tom Field. Also in 1959, fighter Henry Wallitsh became so frustrated with his inability to land a decent punch against Bartolo Soni that he gathered every ounce of his strength to throw against his opponent. The force of Wallitsh’s swing caused him to hurl across the ring, over the ropes, and on to the arena floor. His chin hit the floor with such force that it rendered him unconscious, creating the first instance of a boxer knocking himself out in history.