What's the difference between a knockout, a TKO and a disqualification?
Rule- South Africa
- Boxing South Africa
- Professional boxing
- All ages
- Boxing Regulations 2004 (amended)
- 2026
- Fans
From regulations 27 and 35 of the Boxing Regulations:
- Knockout (KO): a boxer who is down and doesn't rise by the referee's count of ten ("out"). A boxer knocked out of the ring who doesn't climb back in unassisted within 20 seconds also loses by knockout.
- Referee stoppage: the referee stops the fight because it is one-sided, a boxer can't defend themselves, a boxer has been down three times in one round, or the corner throws in the towel. The regulations specifically call two cases a technical knockout (TKO): a cut from a legal punch that means a boxer can't continue, and a boxer who retires between rounds (TKO in the next round).
- Disqualification: for a serious foul, for not boxing to the best of their ability, or for going down without being hit (or staying down without cause).
A downed boxer who gets up must take a mandatory count of eight before boxing on. When a fight ends early, the referee alone decides the result, and that decision is final.
Updated 22 Oct 2026