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HomeBusiness and Professions CodeDiv. 8Ch. 2Art. 7§ 18738 Boxing Illegal Punches Penalty

§ 18738 Boxing Illegal Punches Penalty

Business and Professions Code·California
AI Summary·Official Text·Key Terms·Related Statutes·References
AI SummaryVerified

§ 18738 Boxing Illegal Punches Penalty

Key Takeaways

  • •Boxers can't hit their opponent in the back of the head (rabbit punch) or over the kidneys.
  • •If a boxer does this, they lose a point for each illegal hit.
  • •The referee or judges decide if the rule was broken after the round ends.
  • •The referee tells everyone (boxers, managers, and the crowd) about the penalty.

Example

During a boxing match, Fighter A hits Fighter B in the back of the head.

The referee sees the hit and, after the round ends, decides it was a rabbit punch. Fighter A loses a point, and the referee tells everyone what happened.

AI-generated — May contain errors. Not legal advice. Always verify source.

Official Source
View on CA.gov

§ 18738 Boxing Illegal Punches Penalty

(a) A boxer who intentionally hits a contestant with a rabbit punch or with a punch on that part of the body over the kidneys shall be penalized by the loss of a point for each such punch. (b) Determination that a boxer has violated this section shall be made at the end of the round in which the violation occurred and prior to the next round by the referee or, if judges are used in conjunction with the referee, by any two officials. Upon such a determination, each such official shall penalize the boxer pursuant to subdivision (a). (c) Upon a determination that this section has been violated, the referee shall inform both boxers and their managers at the end of the round in which the violation occurred and prior to the next round, and inform the audience of the penalty thus assessed. In any such case, the rest period may be extended by the referee. (Repealed and added by Stats. 1985, Ch. 1092, Sec. 2.)

Last verified: January 22, 2026

Key Terms

rabbit punchkidneyspenalized by the loss of a pointrefereejudges

Related Statutes

  • § 18734 Boxing Contest Officials
  • § 18730 Boxing Referee Duties
  • § 18731 Boxing Official Clinic Requirements
  • § 18732 Contestant Second Responsibility
  • § 14235 Trademark Classification Requirements

References

  • Official text at leginfo.legislature.ca.gov
  • California Legislature. Business and Professions Code. Section 18738.
View Official Source