What is a knockout in boxing?
A knockout, or KO, happens in boxing when a fighter is knocked down and cannot get up before the referee counts to ten. The other fighter wins the bout immediately.
When a boxer is knocked down, the referee sends the opponent to a neutral corner and begins counting. If the downed boxer cannot stand and show they are ready to continue by the count of ten, the bout ends in a knockout. Knockouts usually happen after a strong punch to the jaw or head, but body punches can also cause them.
A technical knockout, or TKO, happens when the referee, a doctor or a fighter's corner stops the fight because one boxer cannot safely continue, even without a ten-count. This might be due to injuries, too many unanswered punches or a fighter not defending themselves.
Famous knockouts
Some of boxing's most famous moments are knockouts, such as Muhammad Ali's victory over George Foreman in the 1974 Rumble in the Jungle in Kinshasa. Mike Tyson was famous for quick knockouts early in his career. Safety rules and medical checks aim to reduce the dangers of head injuries.
Did You Know?
The term KO is also used in video games and everyday speech to describe a decisive defeat.