BOXING GLOSSARY: J, K, L
A boxing glossary of terms and phrases through J, K, L – just part of our huge Boxing FAQ.
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Boxing Glossary: J
Jab
Often referred to as a boxer’s most important punch. The jab, generally not referred to as a power shot, can be used to score points, frustrate an opponent, be used as a range-finder, and to set up combinations such as a one-two. The tell-tale sign of a great ‘boxer’ is often an accurate, stiff jab. Orthodox boxers generally snap out the jab and immediately return it back to their chin to avoid being caught by counters. Fighters such as Larry Holmes and Muhammad Ali were well-known for carrying exceptional jabs.
Journeyman
A fighter who stands little chance of capturing a world title due to limited skills. He may fight a great deal more than mainstream fighters due to monetary reasons, and therefore have a fight-packed record which can contain as many losses as wins. Journeymen are often matched with young prospects to build their confidence, records, and make them look good – in this instance, a journeyman may be referred to as ‘sacrificial lamb’.
Judge
A ringside official who has been appointed to score the contest by a state’s boxing commission; a 10-point-must scoring system is used in the professional ranks to determine a boxing result.
Judging Panel
Consists of at least three judges who score a bout, Amateur or Professional, based on a scoring system set beforehand. Judges are often seated on different sides of the ring, and are forbidden from discussing numbers with their fellow counterparts or other officials to ensure uninfluenced scores. You can find out more about judging and decision types in our Boxing Results Guide section.
Junior Bantamweight
Or Light Bantamweight, Super Flyweight; fighters must not weigh in excess of 115lbs/51kg at the bout’s weigh-in.
Junior Featherweight
Also referred to as Light Featherweight, Super Bantamweight; a weight limit of 122lbs/55kg is imposed.
Junior Flyweight
Also known as Light Flyweight, Super Strawweight; fighters campaigning in this weight division must not weigh-in over the limit of 108lbs/49kg.
Junior Lightweight
Or Super Featherweight; fighters must not weigh in excess of 130lbs/59kg in this boxing weight class.
Junior Middleweight
Also referred to as Light Middleweight, Super Welterweight; fighters must not exceed 154lbs/70kg on the scales prior to their matchup.
Junior Welterweight
Or Light Welterweight, Super Lightweight; a weight limit of 140lbs/64kg is set at the weigh-in.
Boxing Glossary: K
Keep It Clean
A term and order often spoken by the referee to remind a fighter/fighters not to deviate from the rules of boxing. A fighter throwing a rabbit punch may be told to “keep it clean!”
Kidney punch
A body shot delivered to the kidney area; when delivered effectively, fighters more than often can’t rise to beat the count.
Kissed the Canvas
Generally refers to a fighter who has suffered a knockout loss that saw him face down on the canvas, close enough to ‘kiss the canvas’.
Knockdown
When a fighter is knocked to the canvas as the result of a punch or punches either to the head or body. A ten-count is given by the referee to the felled fighter who must resume his feet to stay in the fight.
Knockdown Timekeeper
A ringside official who initiates a ten-count when a fighter is knocked down; a referee who may be busy ordering the attacker to a neutral corner can easily resume his count by listening to the knockdown timekeeper. Due to ‘long counts’ – often unintentional – the knockdown timekeeper also acts as a safeguard to ensure a fighter receives no more than 10 seconds to regain his feet.
Knockoffs
Or an Upset; a bout where a heavy favorite gets knocked out or defeated by an overlooked opponent.
Knockout (KO)
Not to be confused with a TKO (technical knockout); a knockout occurs when a fighter is unable to regain his feet before the referee has completed a ten-count.
Knockout Artist
A fighter well-known for winning his bouts via knockout and or scoring a remarkable number consecutively. These fighters carry vaunted power and carry great mainstream appeal to audiences; Mike Tyson was a notable knockout artist, as is Gennady Golovkin.
KTFO
Not an expression to use in front of your mother; after a fighter suffers a particularly brutal knockout, it may be said that he was “knocked the f*** out!”.
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Boxing Glossary: L
Lacing
When a fighter pushes, rubs/twists the lower laced underside section of his glove in the face of his opponent; ‘lacing’ can open or worsen a cut, and is considered an infringement of the boxing rules.
Landslide Decision
A Unanimous Decision which sees a fighter win many if not all the scheduled rounds on the judges’ scorecards.
Lead with One’s Chin
Refers to a fighter who fails to keep his chin tucked in when throwing punches; whether intentional or not, leading with one’s chin can prove detrimental, at worst ending in a knockout.
Life and Death (fight)
A bout which sees both fighters taking large amounts punishment, who appear to be willing to go ‘life and death’ to win. John Molina Jr. and Lucas Matthysse’s bout would be considered worthy of the title.
Light Bantamweight
Or Junior Bantamweight, Super Flyweight; a weight division which holds a 115lb/52kg limit.
Light Featherweight
Or Junior Featherweight, Super Bantamweight; a weight class where fighters must not exceed a maximum weight limit of 122lbs/55kg.
Light Flyweight
Also know as Junior Flyweight, Super Strawweight; fighters campaigning in this division must not exceed the 108lb/48kg limit.
Light Middleweight
Or Junior Middleweight, Super Welterweight; fighters in this boxing weight class can weigh a maximum of 154lbs/70kg.
Lightweight
A boxing weight division which carries a 135lb/61kg limit.
Light Welterweight
Or Junior Welterweight, Super Lightweight; a weight division which carries a 140lb/64kg weight limit.
Litmus Test
A testing fight that a young prospect may enter; a commentator may state that “John Smith is in with a tough operator tonight – this is a Litmus test.”
Liver Punch
A body shot delivered to the liver; if landed effectively, it can be a particularly debilitating shot a fighter cannot recover from within the ten-count.
Loaded Gloves
A fighter who carries illegal substances within the knuckle padding of his handwraps to inflict greater damage on his opponent; loaded gloves are strictly illegal, and can have devastating consequences in bouts, leading to severe health disabilities, commas, and even death. Antonio Margarito’s gloves were reportedly ‘loaded’ with a hardening plaster-like substance prior to his bout with Shane Mosley; luckily for Mosley, he knocked out Margarito. A fighter caught with loaded gloves can face a large fine, be suspended from the sport for over a year, and even banned.
Locking Mitts
When a fighter clamps his opponent’s (power hand) forearm in between his elbow and ribs, and attacks his opponent with his free hand; though technically an illegal practice, referees often prefer to ‘break’ the two fighters rather than issue a warning or deduct a point.
Loss
A defeat.
Loss on Points
When a fighter loses a contest on the scorecards via Split Decision, Majority Decision or Unanimous Decision.
Low Blow
A fouling punch; when a fighter is hit below the belt line – intentionally or not – in the groin, hip or thigh area. The afflicted fighter, if struck in the groin, will often need time to recover. You can see a list of boxing fouls on our Boxing Rules page.
Long Count
When a referee – usually unintentionally – gives a knocked down fighter a count which exceeds ten seconds. This may be the case for a number of reasons, such as having to deal with an opponent who has not returned to a neutral corner. ‘Long counts’ are rare in modern day boxing as timekeepers and knockdown timekeepers are often present to assist the referee should he be distracted.
Lucky Punch
When a fighter is caught with a good punch that may result in a knockdown or knockout; the fighter who landed the shot may be considered a journeyman at the time, and therefore labeled as ‘lucky’.
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