Knockout

KO redirects here, for other uses see Ko. For other uses of knockout, see Knockout (disambiguation).

A boxer is knocked down and receives the 10-count.

.Knockout (also referred to as a K.O. or knock), is a winning criterion in several full-contact combat sports, such as boxing, kickboxing, Muay Thai and others sports involving striking. A knockout is usually awarded when one participant is unable to rise from the canvas within a specified period of time, typically because of fatigue, injury, loss of balance, or unconsciousness.

Physical characteristics

If a person is punched at a right angle to their jaw, their head will rotate sharply. This can temporarily compress the carotid arteries in the neck, essentially causing a minor stroke and the fighter can slip briefly unconscious. Margaret Goodman, MD Ringside and training principles URL last accessed June 20 2006 A base principle of boxing is to defend against this vulnerability by keeping both hands raised about the face.

If a fighter suffers a concussion and becomes unconscious from a strike with sufficient knockout power, he or she is referred as having been knocked out or kayoed (KO'd). Losing balance without losing consciousness is referred to as being knocked down. Repeated blows to the head are known to gradually cause permanent brain damage, with Alzheimer-like symptoms, and in severe cases may cause strokes or paralysis. Because of this, many physicians advise against sports involving knockouts.Lieberman, Abraham. Causing Parkinson: Boxing, Brain Injury. www.liebermanparkinsonclinic.com. URL last accessed March 4 2006.

As a winning outcome

A knockout is sometimes characterized by temporary unconsciousness.

In boxing, a knockout occurs when a fighter is knocked down and does not get up within 10 seconds, as counted by the referee. A technical knockout is declared when a boxer is judged physically unable to continue fighting, either due to the judgement of the referee, the official ring physician, the fighter him or herself, or the fighter's cornermen.Sugar, Bert. Boxing. www.owingsmillsboxingclub.com. URL last accessed March 4 2006.

In mixed martial arts, the definitions of knockouts and technical knockouts vary according to organization and jurisdiction. According to its publicized rules, the Japanese PRIDE FC promotion does not declare 'knockout' as an official type of victory, but rather only technical knockouts when the referee considers a fighter unable to continuePRIDE FC official website. Pride Rules. www.pridefc.com. URL last accessed March 4 2006.. Under New Jersey's Unified Rules of Mixed Martial Arts, which has become the de facto standard of MMA rules in the United States, a knockout is defined as a "failure to rise from the canvas"New Jersey State Athletic Control Board. Mixed Martial Arts Unified Rules of Conduct Additional Mixed Martial Arts Rules. www.state.nj.us. URL last accessed March 18 2006.. In Pancrase, a knockout is declared when the competitor loses consciousness, and a technical knockout when the referee or judges consider a fighter unable to continue the matchPancrase Hybrid Wrestling official website. Pancrase official rules -2005 Edition-. www.pancrase.co.jp. URL last accessed March 4 2006..

Technical knockouts

A technical knockout (T.K.O.) is often declared when the referee or judges decide that a fighter cannot continue the match. British records refer to TKOs as either "retired", if the fighter refuses to continue; or "R.S.F.", for Referee Stopped Fight.

References