Boxer's Guide to Boxing South Africa Professional Boxing 18 and Over 2026

Under regulation 3 of the Boxing Regulations:

• When: at your own cost, when you first register, every year when you renew, and any other time Boxing SA asks. It is done by a registered medical practitioner on Boxing SA's form (Annexure F).
• What's included: a test for HIV and Hepatitis B, and for women a breast and pelvic examination.
• Boxers 35 and older must each year also undergo whatever further examinations and tests Boxing SA considers appropriate to decide whether continuing to box is in their interest.

You cannot be licensed if you have, among other things: blood pressure above 140/80 over several readings; organic heart disease or past cardiac surgery; lung disease; retinopathy, retinal detachment or past eye surgery; defective vision beyond the set limits; abdominal hernias, enlarged liver or spleen or abdominal masses; one kidney or kidney disease; brain disease, brain injury or past brain surgery; nervous system disease; thyroid or lymph gland enlargement or active thyroid disease; HIV infection; Hepatitis B surface antigen; pregnancy; breast disease or past breast surgery (women); or any other condition Boxing SA's medical advisors consider a risk.

At renewal, Boxing SA reviews your record and may refuse renewal if it considers you have endured excessive punishment, even if you have undergone a neurological investigation.

Under regulation 10 of the Boxing Regulations:

You and your manager are both responsible for making sure the automatic suspensions are obeyed. The ringside physician also records a suspension recommendation after any knockout, stoppage or severe punishment.

Under regulation 17(10) and (11) of the Boxing Regulations (Boxing Amendment Regulations, 2005), unless Boxing SA gives prior written permission, you may not take part in another bout:

You may also not take part in more than six bouts in a year without Boxing SA's prior written permission.

These are separate from the medical suspensions that apply after a knockout or severe punishment (regulation 10), which can be much longer.

Under regulation 19 of the Boxing Regulations:

• The number of rounds is agreed by the promoter and boxers, subject to Boxing SA approval.
• No fight may exceed 12 rounds. Rounds are 3 minutes for men and 2 minutes for women.
• Rest between rounds: 1 minute, and you may not leave the ring.
• Time lost to stoppages ordered by the referee does not count towards the round.

Under regulation 24 of the Boxing Regulations:

• Every tournament must have a ringside physician, appointed by the promoter and accredited by Boxing SA, with two qualified first-aid attendants or paramedics and emergency equipment. No bout may start unless the physician is seated at ringside with unhindered access, and the paramedics and equipment are present.
• The physician treats injuries and cuts and, at the referee's request, can examine you between rounds or at any time.
• If you are knocked out, your seconds may not touch you until the physician has attended to you and given instructions.
• If you are knocked out, stopped (TKO), take severe punishment or are injured, the physician must examine you before you leave the venue, and records a recommendation on suspension and any special medical examination.
• If you are hospitalised or treated by your own doctor for a ring injury, you or your manager must immediately send Boxing SA a full written report from the treating doctor.
• The promoter must also confirm a nearby hospital with a neurological department will be on standby for the tournament.

You can be. Under regulation 13(3) of the Boxing Regulations, Boxing SA must give the South African Institute for Drug-Free Sport (SAIDS) written notice five working days before every tournament, so that SAIDS can conduct doping tests on the participating boxers.

Boxing SA also publishes the World Anti-Doping Agency's Prohibited List on its website. Under regulation 3, Boxing SA can also require you to have a medical examination at any time it asks.

Under regulation 16 of the Boxing Regulations, you (or your agent or manager) must apply in writing to Boxing SA at least 21 days before leaving South Africa, with:

• details of the overseas tournament;
• details of your opponent and their authenticated boxing record;
• a copy of your contract and details of the purse;
• confirmation that your manager or agent will go with you, or that you'll be accompanied by someone licensed with the boxing commission of the country where you fight.

If your opponent changes at any stage, the authorisation is void: you must submit the new opponent's details and get fresh authorisation for that bout. Boxing SA's "Authorisation to Fight Abroad" form is on its website.

Under regulation 17 of the Boxing Regulations (as substituted by the Boxing Amendment Regulations, 2005):

• Challenging: a challenger for a provincial or South African title submits a challenge to Boxing SA on the prescribed form, and warrants they are in training, fit and willing to meet the champion at least 30 days after Boxing SA approves it.
• Voluntary defence: a champion may defend against any boxer on Boxing SA's ratings list, with written approval. Within 30 days of approval they must arrange a promoter, and the fight must happen within 90 days, or the voluntary option lapses.
• Mandatory defence: the official challenger is the No. 1 rated boxer (or the next highest if No. 1 declines). The champion must defend within three months of being called on in writing, or of their last voluntary defence, whichever is earlier. Otherwise Boxing SA may order a defence without pay at a venue it chooses, or declare the title vacant.
• One title at a time: you can't hold two national or provincial titles in different weights; after winning a second, you have 14 days to say which to keep. Winning a recognised world title vacates your national title, and winning a national title vacates your provincial one.
• Losing a title: by defeat at the title weight, failing to make weight, refusing or being unable to defend, misconduct, possibly a criminal conviction, or ceasing to be registered.
• In a draw in a title defence, the champion keeps the title. No contract may require a rematch.