I read an article about a bout in the Houston Golden Gloves in which Greg Hatley was disqualified for spitting out his mouthpiece. The article stated the following:
Referee David Rodriquez stopped the fight the first time but disqualified Hatley when it happened again.
"I thought the ref was going to take a point," said Hatley, who thought he was ahead at the time of the disqualification. "That's what he's supposed to do."
But Rodriquez said a new rule adopted five months ago gave him no option.
"Too many were taking advantage of the old rule," Rodriquez said. "If the mouthpiece comes out twice in a round, whether it is knocked out or spit out, the referee has no option but disqualification."
I have reviewed the rules posted on the USAB website and the rules indicate that the referee must DQ the boxer on the 3rd warning for the same infraction which would include spitting out the mouthpiece. The rules do permit a referee the discretion to DQ a boxer on the first foul if the referee so chooses. However, I do not see anything to support the referee's statement attributed to him in the Dallas Morning News. Is there a new rule which is not posted on the USAB website? I know that sometimes USAB does not disseminate new rules as quickly as they should or even update their own website, so I know it is possible.
This is an old rule; there hasn't been any change in the mouthpiece rule. Greg Hatley has been boxing long enough to know the rule. Since we weren't there, we don't know why the ref DQ'd Greg. But it certainly wasn't due to any "new rule." There haven't been any rule changes since 2005.
(17) Specific fouls – mouthpiece and low blows.
(a) Mouthpiece.
(1) When a mouthpiece is knocked out of a boxer’s mouth as a result of a
legal blow or a series of legal blows, the referee will “stop” the bout
and escort the boxer and mouthpiece to said boxer’s corner where the
mouthpiece will be washed (rinsed). A coach will replace the
mouthpiece in the boxer’s mouth after such washing. The referee will
then issue a caution to the boxer.
(2) If a boxer deliberately spits the mouthpiece out without receiving a
blow, the referee will escort said boxer to the corner, have the
coach/assistant coach wash (rinse) the mouthpiece and return it to its
proper position, and then the referee will issue a “warning” to the
offending boxer.
(3) A boxer who loses the mouthpiece more than once (for any reason),
will have it washed and returned, but will receive a “warning” for each
such loss after the first time.
(4) If a boxer carries the mouthpiece halfway out of his mouth, said boxer
will be “cautioned” to reinsert it. A second offense will carry another
caution. A third time will require an official “warning.”
