BOXING GLOSSARY: D, E, F
A boxing glossary of terms and phrases through D, E, F – just part of our stacked Boxing FAQ.
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Boxing Glossary: D
Dancing (footwork)
When a fighter uses his footwork to cover distance, often circling the ring. This may be implemented to confuse his opponent, create unorthodox angles, showboat, or to survive the round. Muhammad Ali used to describe his impressive footwork as “dancing”.
Decision
Refers to a result reached via the judge’s scorecards in fights that go the distance; they are generally of the Unanimous, Split, Majority or Draw variety. For a comprehensive look into the meanings of these decisions and more, visit our Boxing Results Explained section.
Decision Appeal
A fighter may wish to appeal a bout’s decision with a sanctioning body or boxing commission following a fight. For instance, he may feel he was robbed by the judges who handed in dubious/unsatisfactory scorecards, or appeal if he feels the referee stopped the fight prematurely. Appealing fighters almost always demands a rematch.
Defense
A fighter’s efforts/tactics to evade his opponents attacks, either by blocking with the gloves, slipping, ducking, or stepping out of range.
Dementia Pugilistica
Or Pugilistic Parkinson’s syndrome, boxer’s syndrome; though there is some debate surrounding it’s relation to boxing, it is a neurological disorder which can affect boxers who have received too many battles in the ring; i.e. those wherein they took a high number of dazing blows or knockdowns as the result of a concussion. The disorder often manifests approximately 15 years after a fighter’s debut professional fight, characterized by dementia-like symptoms such as impaired memory and cognitive functions; tremors, reduced coordination and slurred speech are also common. Muhammad Ali, a man who was no stranger to battles in the ring, is perhaps the most famous fighter who unfortunately suffers from the disorder.
Dirty Fighting
Fighting that overtly deviates from the Queensberry Rules; for example, a fighter (or both) may be deliberately holding and hitting his opponent, pushing them around the ring, or committing low blows. Brandon Rios vs. Diego Chavez was nothing short of a ‘dirty fight’.
Disqualification (DQ)
A referee may decide to disqualify a fighter for a number of reasons, mainly because he has committed a major foul, or because he has repeatedly fouled against his opponent. You can find out more about Disqualifications in our Boxing Results Guide section and about foul types in our Boxing Rules section.
Division
Refers to a weight division/class, either in the Professional or Amateur ranks; for instance, Lightweight, Middleweight, Heavyweight. You can see a full list of divisions along with their respective weights in pounds, kilos, and stones in our Boxing Weight Classes section.
Double-End Bag
Similar in appearance to the Speed Bag; it is suspended between two long pieces of elasticized material and bounces back-and-forth/side-to-side when struck. It is popularly used by boxers in training to improve punch accuracy, timing and defense.
Down
Simply when a fighter gets knocked down to the canvas.
Down and Out
When a fighter is knocked to the canvas and cannot beat the referee’s ten-count, leading to a knockout loss.
Draw
Though very rare, the fight is scored dead even by the judges; for example, 114, 114, 114. Far more common is a Split Draw, which nonetheless carries the same result. A Split Draw is reached when one judge scores the bout even, one scores it for Fighter A, and the other for Fighter B. For a detailed list of all outcomes, check out our Boxing Results Guide page.
Drop
Simply refers to a knockdown, or knockout. A journalist may comment that “the challenger was dropped for the last time in the 5th round before the referee waived off the contest.”
Ducking (physically)
A defensive maneuver whereby the fighter bends his knees in an effort to lower his head and avoid a punch.
Ducking (boxing politics)
A fighter (or his manager/promoter), for example, may decide it’s wise to avoid a certain opponent he feels is dangerous; a loss to said fighter could be detrimental to the fighter’s career and future finances, especially if the ‘ducking’ fighter is currently unbeaten. For example, an unbeaten newly crowned Light Heavyweight may avoid a bout with banger-boxer Sergey Kovalev to maximize his reign as a champion. The business and politics of boxing is often criticized for standing in the way of the best fighters facing one another; at the time of writing this, future hall of famers Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather are still yet to face each other despite years of reported negotiating.
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Boxing Glossary: E
Enswell (End-swell)
An iron-like device which is used by a chief second or cutman to reduce the swelling on a fighter’s face – usually below, above or around the eyes. The device is often chilled and applied with heavy pressure.
Evasion
Simply avoiding punches through defensive maneuvers and strategy.
Exhibition
A bout fighters are not looking to beat or hurt their opponent in the conventional prizefighting manner; they are displaying boxing technique and aesthetics for the crowd. The term could also be referred to a situation where a fighter is a dominating and outboxing his opponent with ease; a commentator might say: “Man, John Smith is looking comfortable in the ring tonight – he’s putting on a real exhibition.”
Boxing Glossary: F
Fall Through the Ropes
Quite literally refers to the moment a fighter falls through the ropes and sometimes into the ringside crowd itself; it may be due to a knockdown or stumble. Though extremely rare, in the event of a fighter being knocked out of the ring – resulting from a punch – he is given 20 seconds to return to the ring (unassisted). You can find a complete list of rules on our Boxing Rules page.
Failure to Make Weight
When a fighter fails to weigh in under the limit imposed in his relevant weight class; the fighter may have to pay a penalty fee to his opponent, be stripped of his title (if he is defending one), or not be able to compete at all.
Falling Short
When a fighter can’t quite land his punches; it may be said he is ‘punching air’ due to his opponent’s effective movement and defense.
Featherweight
Any fighter campaigning at 126lbs/57kg; the fighter must not exceed this boxing weight at the weigh-in.
Feinting
For deception; when a fighter mimics the body language preceding a punch but does not throw it; for example, a fighter may do this to keep his opponent guessing or to evoke a reaction in order to land a counter attack.
Fight Card
The fights billed on a promoter’s card; for example, three eight-round bouts featuring prospects, one European title fight, followed by a world title bout for the main event.
Fight Record
A fighter’s official record, either Amateur or Professional; wins, knockouts, losses, draws and no contests will be included.
Fighting the Referee
Not usually meant in the literal sense! It refers to a bout where a fighter seemingly can’t perform as well as hoped due to the referee interrupting the action. For example, a fighter may comment “I had to fight the referee as well tonight – every time I tried to work inside, he kept issuing a break.” Ricky Hatton made a similar comment after his bout with Floyd Mayweather.
Fixed
Refers to a bout that ended in a highly suspicious manner; for example, the legitimacy of a knockout or decision may be disputed – particularly one that favors the hometown fighter or most lucrative.
Flash Knockdown
Refers to the moment a fighter is knocked down but not significantly hurt. It may also be due to the fighter being off balance. Generally, he will resume his feet quickly and show no signs of concussion or unsteadiness.
Floor/Deck
Another name for the canvas of a ring.
Flyweight
A boxer who fights at 112lbs/51kg; he must not exceed this weight at the bout’s weigh-in. See more on fighting weights in our Boxing Weight Classes area.
Focus Mitts
Refers to padded targets attached to gloves a trainer wears; in addition to running punching drills, a trainer may use the mitts to train his fighter to slip, bob and weave to simulate a real fighter’s varied attack on fight night.
Footwork
Refers to a fighter’s movement through his feet; i.e. his ability, good or bad, to create opportunities for offense and also defense. Today’s Carl Frampton is often considered to have great footwork, as is Manny Pacquiao.
Foul
When a fighter commits an infringement of the rules, such as an intentional head butt or low blow; the referee may issue a warning or deduct a point from said fighter. For more on fouls, see our Boxing Rules list.
Free TV
Any bout which features on TV outside of Pay Per View or satellite TV/cable subscriptions.
Fringe Contender
A boxer who, though a capable fighter, isn’t considered a ‘true contender’ capable of competing effectively with top contenders and champions.
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