Below is a list of boxing phrases and terminology commonly used in the sport.
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Sanctioning Body -
Boxing organizations that sponsor championship fights and awards title belts. The World Boxing Association (WBA) (oldest), World Boxing Council (WBC), and International Boxing Federation (IBF) are considered to be the legitimate ones.
Saved by the Bell -
When the bell rings signaling the end of the round before the referee finishes his count. This phrase came into being in the latter half of the 19th century.
Scoring Criteria -
Using the Ten Point Must System, Judges are to score each round using the following scoring criteria: clean punching (power versus quantity), effective aggressiveness, ring generalship, and defense.
Shoe Shine -
Quick little punches that are bothersome but aren't going to knock anyone down.
Shopworn -
A fighter who is slowing down after a long career.
Shoulder Roll -
D defensive move where a fighter leaves her front arm low and drapes it across her midsection so that when her opponent throws a punch she can use her shoulder to block or roll with it. This is so the defensive fighter is able to counter back with either hand because neither was used for blocking.
For a right-handed fighter, it also automatically shifts her weight to her back foot and sets her up for a hard counter right cross.
Most known Floyd Mayweather has become known for this, many great fighters like Jersey Joe Walcott were masters of this defensive technique.
Skinning the Gloves -
All boxers have tape wrapped around their gloves at the wrist to prevent the laces from coming lose, however when the tape job goes up even higher on the glove it forces the padding to conform around the knuckles giving a distinct advantage to the boxer.
Slip -
To move the head slightly to avoid a punch.
Solon -
An informal name for a boxing commissioner originating from a man named Solon who was known as the lawmaker of Athens.
Southpaw -
Left handed fighters (unorthodox). They put their right foot forward, jab with their right hand and throw power punches with their left hand (rear hand). To a "normal" right handed fighter a southpaw's punches are coming from the wrong side. When a right handed and left handed boxer fight each other their lead foot is almost on top of the other persons. Southpaws aren't always born left handed some are converted southpaws.
Southpaws Should be Drowned at Birth -
An old boxing idiom. To an orthodox right handed boxer southpaw's punches come from the opposite direction than what are trained to expect. It just feels wrong.
Spar -
Boxing for practice.
Split Decision (SD) -
When two of the three judges score one boxer as the winner, while the third judge scores the other boxer as the winner. Example: 116-114, 116-114, 113-115.
Split Draw -
Occurs when one judge favors one boxer, the other judge favors the opposite boxer and the third judge scores the fight even. The fight is recorded as a draw on both boxers' records. Example: 116-114, 113-115, 114-114.
Stablemate -
Fighters who train at the same gym or under the banner of the same promoter.
Standing Eight Count -
When the referee stops the fight and counts to eight. During this time the referee will determine if the boxer can continue. In some amateur and professional fights a knocked down boxer must take a mandatory eight count even if he or she has gotten up immediately.
Stick and Move -
When a boxer jabs or uses long range punches then quickly steps backwards using elusive footwork to evade their opponent.
Straight Right -
Considered power punch. If you are a right handed boxer it's a straight right. If you are a left handed boxer it's a straight left.
Stylist -
A fighter who relies on skills rather than brawn.
Sucker Punch -
An unexpected punch that catches a person completely off guard. The term sucker punch dates back to 1947 in the sport of boxing.
Sunday Punch -
A knockout blow. A hard punch. knockout punch or KO punch that renders an opponent unable to continue fighting.