Boxers must possess a high degree of talent, speed, agility, and endurance because they are risking their lives with every punch.
Respecting the rules is essential to avoid being disqualified or hurt, and one of the more controversial rules is that rabbit punches in boxing are not allowed.
These unlawful methods, which are infamous for inflicting serious injuries, lead to an investigation of rabbit punches in boxing—what they are, how they work, why they are forbidden, and how to prevent them.
Definition of Rabbit Punch
A strike that is illegally aimed toward the base of the skull or the rear of the head is called a “rabbit punch in boxing”. The term comes from a hunter who struck a rabbit in the neck with great speed and force.
These strikes are extremely dangerous in boxing since they have the potential to cause serious injuries like brain damage, spinal cord injuries, or even death. As such, they are forbidden in the majority of amateur and professional boxing organizations.
In a broader sense, the term rabbit punch also refers to any hit to the back of the head in a variety of combat sports or scenarios. Such punches are generally considered to be dangerous and may be fatal, so they must be strictly avoided regardless of the situation.
More: 5 Best Ways to Set Up a Dangerous Liver Punch in Boxing
Origin of Rabbit Punch in Boxing
The phrase “rabbit punch” in boxing dates back to the early 1900s and refers to the idea of landing a quick, effective blow to the back of the head, much to a hunter taking down a rabbit with a well-placed blow.
Punches to the back of the head or neck were outlawed as boxing laws developed because they carried a significant risk of seriously injuring the spine and brain stem. As a result, rabbit punch has come to represent these dangerous and outlawed strikes.
The Effects of Rabbit Punches on Boxing
A rabbit punch is when you hit your opponent in the back of the head or neck, specifically, the point where the skull and cervical vertebrae meet. This hit is dangerous since it could seriously damage the spinal cord and result in paralysis or even death.
In addition, a rabbit punch’s force can cause a concussion, a type of traumatic brain damage.
Regular rabbit punch exposure can aggravate chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), a degenerative brain disease common in athletes and anyone with recurrent head trauma. Memory loss, sadness, increased aggression, and a decrease in cognitive function are all signs of CTE.
Why are Rabbit Punches Illegal in Boxing?
The reason rabbit punches are forbidden in boxing is that they are dangerous and can cause serious injury to the person receiving them.
Originally implemented in the 1920s in response to reports of fighters suffering serious injuries from these kinds of blows, the purpose of this regulation is to protect boxers’ health.
In addition to protecting spectators’ safety, the prohibition of rabbit punches in boxing protects the sport’s credibility by keeping matches impartial and competitive.
How to Avoid Rabbit Punches in Boxing
Below are the ways to avoid rabbit punches:
1. Stress Correct Form:
To prevent rabbit punches in boxing, make sure to maintain proper form throughout strikes and always place punches above the back of your opponent’s neck.
2. Keep the Proper Gap:
To avoid inadvertent rabbit punches in boxing, keep a safe gap between you and your opponent. When boxing, be aware of your surroundings and modify your distance accordingly.
3. Keep an Eye on Your Opponent’s Position:
Pay close attention to your opponent’s positioning to avoid being caught off guard by rabbit punches in boxing. Pay attention to where they are and how they are moving, then modify your punches accordingly.
4. Avoid Retaliating:
During high-stress situations, it can be tempting to react with a rabbit punch in boxing, but doing so has serious risks. Take a step back, inhale, and focus on using proper form to safely hit your opponent in boxing.
5. Know When to Give Up:
It’s critical to give up right away if you see that your opponent is suffering from a rabbit punch in boxing. By taking this measure, the possibility of significant injury can be reduced and the boxing environment can be kept safe for both parties.
Are all Rabbit Punches in Boxing Considered Illegal?
Not always. There are situations where rabbit punches in boxing strike without incurring penalties. It wouldn’t be considered a foul, for instance, if a boxer unleashes a barrage of punches directed at the opponent’s face, and the opponent turns around and takes a blow to the back of the head.
In these situations, the onus should be on the opponent who changed his or her ways, not the striking fighter who was going for the face.
Given that strikes to the face are considered less harmful than those to the back of the head, fighters must refrain from turning their backs.
Recorded Instance of Fatalities Resulting from Rabbit Punches in Boxing
As of now, there isn’t any proof or information available that a boxer has perished as a direct result of a rabbit punch in boxing. But there have been cases, especially in boxing, where blows to the back of the head may have contributed to fatalities or severe injuries.
The boxing battle between Terrell Williams and Prichard Colon in 2015 is one famous instance. Williams landed a lot of rabbit punches in this fight, which caused the referee to deduct points in the seventh round for deliberate strikes.
After more rabbit punches, the referee did not intervene. After the ninth round, Colon was declared out of the battle due to a strange event in which his corner thought the fight was done and took off his gloves.
After the game, Colon felt weak and lightheaded in the locker room and started throwing up. He was rushed immediately to “Fairfax Inova Hospital,” where surgery was necessary to address bleeding on the left side of his brain, which was probably caused by the punches he had received from the rabbit during the fight.
Colon then suffered a 221-day coma and is presently in a vegetative state, highlighting the dire implications that boxers may suffer from rabbit punches.
Penalties for Rabbit Punches in Boxing
Penalties for throwing a rabbit punch include disqualification, fines, and suspension from competition. Depending on the boxer’s medical state, the penalty’s severity varies and in some situations, it might result in criminal charges.
1. Disqualification:
In boxing, a boxer is disqualified for using an illegal blow or for committing a foul. This results in a technical knockout (TKO) loss, which is announced as soon as the bout is canceled.
If a fighter is injured and cannot continue, or if they decide not to continue after being injured by an unlawful hit, such as a rabbit punch, a TKO may occur.
2. Fine:
A boxer who lands an unlawful blow, such as a rabbit punch, could face fines and suspension from competition in addition to disqualification. These fines are usually administered by state boxing commissions, not the athletic commissions in charge of professional fights in North America and Europe.
3. Suspension:
A boxer who willfully uses an unlawful blow, such as a rabbit punch, faces suspension from competition until they can prove their innocence in front of their state’s boxing commission or the National Amateur Fighters’ organization.
Exhibition fights are an exception to this regulation unless they are approved by national amateur boxing regulating bodies such as USA Boxing.
Frequently Asked Questions FAQs
Why are Rabbit Punches not Allowed?
Boxing's ban on rabbit punches stems from the inherent risk to vital brain and motor processes in the back of the head and neck. Because rabbit punches have the potential to cause catastrophic brain and spine injuries, they are prohibited in most combat sports.
What does Rabbit Punch in Boxing Look Like?
It indicates a punch that lands on the opponent's back of the head, the base of the skull, or back of the neck. This dangerous blow, sometimes referred to as a rabbit punch, is prohibited in boxing and most other combat sports. Its illegality and its link to serious injuries in boxing and other sports are explained in the explanation that follows.
What is the Rabbit Punch Technique?
A hand attack that is aimed at the back of an opponent's head, including the base of the skull where the spine joins the skull, is called a rabbit punch. The method employed to kill rabbits gave rise to the term rabbit punch in 1915. Here, one would strike a rabbit in the back of the head to quickly and fatally disable it.
Can you Punch the Neck in Boxing?
Fighting from a clenched fist is the only acceptable attack technique; hitting below the belt or going after the back of the opponent's head or neck is not permitted. It is forbidden to utilize ring ropes as leverage, and it is forbidden to strike opponents when they are on the ground. To maintain a fair and safe competition, this includes refraining from using rabbit punches in boxing.
How Many Illegal Punches are there in Boxing?
Within boxing, there are several illegal punches that can be used, including below-the-belt, back of the head or neck, rabbit punching, and punching after the bell sounds. Since rules can vary, it is important to follow the guidelines set forth by the particular boxing organization or tournament, especially the one prohibiting rabbit punches.
Conclusion
Because rabbit punches in boxing are dangerous and can result in serious injuries, they are not allowed in boxing. Fighters need to be cautious about where their opponent is positioned and avoid hitting the back of the head or neck.
A warning up to disqualification could be handed out by the referee for any infraction, such as throwing a rabbit punch. Respecting the regulations is essential to preserving a fair and secure atmosphere in the boxing sport.