BoxRec

So, I was always led to believe that when a boxer gets knocked down, the count doesn't begin until the other boxer goes to a neutral corner. It's a long time since Dempsey-Tunney, but that is an example. When someone gets knocked down in a British ring, the count is always taken up based on the timekeeper's count and is never adjusted if a boxer stands over his opponent and doesn't go to the corner. What's the deal?

I notice timekeeper starts counting once KD is called. i mean it doesn't always take the other boxer long to get to the other corner.

I assumed it was same in US.

Doesn't the timekeeper start the count there too.

Like most everything in boxing, I don't think there's any consistency in how the 10-count is administered. It seems dependent upon the commission overseeing the bout/event.

I do think this is one element that should be standard across all the organizations that conduct boxing matches, regardless of where they're located. However, achieving that objective is another matter entirely.

most fights i see from around the world have the count start right away, and if the ref isnt able to start immediately they will look over to the time keeper. sometimes the timekeeper will be mic'd up so you can here the count without even looking over

margaret thatcher wrote: ↑13 Mar 2026, 11:43 most fights i see from around the world have the count start right away, and if the ref isnt able to start immediately they will look over to the time keeper. sometimes the timekeeper will be mic'd up so you can here the count without even looking over

I always thought the timekeeper was looking down at the clock and shouted the seconds following that.

I believe the current rule of British refs is the away/foreign types boxer doesn't get a count and the fight must be waved over immediately.

Old bones Ian wrote: ↑13 Mar 2026, 13:31 I believe the current rule of British refs is the away/foreign types boxer doesn't get a count and the fight must be waved over immediately.

Rule 1a.

The way it seems to be enforced in practice
is that the count starts when a boxer goes down and is only suspended if their opponent unnecessarily delays going to a neutral corner

dookus wrote: ↑13 Mar 2026, 21:07 The way it seems to be enforced in practice
is that the count starts when a boxer goes down and is only suspended if their opponent unnecessarily delays going to a neutral corner

I've see guys stand over their opponent and it doesn't alter the count.

keithmoonhangover wrote: ↑14 Mar 2026, 07:12

dookus wrote: ↑13 Mar 2026, 21:07 The way it seems to be enforced in practice
is that the count starts when a boxer goes down and is only suspended if their opponent unnecessarily delays going to a neutral corner

I've see guys stand over their opponent and it doesn't alter the count.

Yeah, they're often pretty lax about enforcing it

Ruthless-RKO wrote: ↑13 Mar 2026, 11:16 I notice timekeeper starts counting once KD is called. i mean it doesn't always take the other boxer long to get to the other corner.

I assumed it was same in US.

Doesn't the timekeeper start the count there too.

Yeh, that's the correct timing. Nowt wrong with that count.

Armando Garcia - English and Spanish M anuals

Manual del Tomatiempo y Juez de Caídas - 2026:
https://1drv.ms/b/c/d9b372e4b1c0ae24/IQ ... 4?e=6Kajrn

Timekeeper and Knockdown Judge Manual - 2026:
https://1drv.ms/b/c/d9b372e4b1c0ae24/IQ ... Q?e=594GAf

keithmoonhangover wrote: ↑13 Mar 2026, 12:02

margaret thatcher wrote: ↑13 Mar 2026, 11:43 most fights i see from around the world have the count start right away, and if the ref isnt able to start immediately they will look over to the time keeper. sometimes the timekeeper will be mic'd up so you can here the count without even looking over

I always thought the timekeeper was looking down at the clock and shouted the seconds following that.

'seconds' dont come into it

I think the biggest inconsistency is the "in a position to continue" rule (or not rule) when someone rises.

I remember, ironically Malik Scott vs Derick Chisora being a tad controversial - as Malik seemed to get up and was on the of rising, but the only part of his body that was touching the floor before the word 10 was his feet. It was deemed a fair stoppage by many in the UK press cause Malik was not in a position to continue at 10. Even though he was clearly very coherent and just seemed to mistime the count / or deliberately threw the fight - which was the other accusation.

But then the example of Fury vs Wilder - yes Fury before the words 10 was uttered, the only part of his body on the floor with his feet - but, a bit like Malik, was his in a position to continue at 10? Very debatable - well actually not really - he wasn't.