White collar boxing rules are built for people fighting for the first time: short rounds, fair matching, full protective kit and a professional referee in charge. Rules vary between clubs and shows. These are the rules on our fight nights, for boxing and Muay Thai.
The rules at a glance
- RoundsThree 2-minute rounds, with 1 minute's rest between
- MatchingOn age, weight and experience, with no more than 5kg between you
- Gloves16oz, or 14oz if you're under 55kg
- Head guardOpen face or cheek protectors. Full-face head guards aren't allowed on fight night
- Also requiredGum shield and groin guard, plus shin guards for Muay Thai
- MedicalsA medical before your fight, and another one after it
- OfficialsProfessional referees in charge of every bout, with medics ringside
- ResultScored by the referee: a winner and a runner up, or a draw
- Age18 or over by fight night. No upper age limit
How long is a white collar fight?
Three rounds of two minutes, with a minute's rest between each. That's six minutes of fighting. It sounds short. It isn't.
You won't walk into it cold: in week 5 of camp you learn to pace three 2-minute rounds, and in week 6 you spar your proposed opponent in simulated bouts.
Boxing rules
- Punches only, with the gloves
- The referee is in charge of the bout from the first bell, and can step in or stop it at any time
- Your coach is in your corner between rounds
Muay Thai rules
Muay Thai in full uses fists, elbows, knees and shins. On our shows, the rules are adapted for first-time fighters:
- Punches, kicks and knees
- No elbows, and no knees to the head
- One grab and knee in the clinch
- Shin guards, padded from knee to instep
New to the sport? Read what is Thai boxing?
How the winner is decided
Every bout is scored by the referee. At the end there's a winner and a runner up, or it's a draw.
- Standing counts. If a fighter is caught and needs a moment, the referee gives a standing 8 count before the bout carries on.
- Two standing counts. A bout is usually called off if a fighter takes two standing 8 counts.
- The referee's call. The referee can step in or stop a bout at any time to keep fighters safe.
Whatever the result, you'll have done something most people never will: walked out in front of the people who backed you and fought three rounds.
How matching works
Every match is made by our coaches. Matchmaking begins in week 4 of camp, and matches are signed off in week 6, after sparring. 96% of fighters spar their opponent before fight night. If our medical team or coaches decide it isn't safe for you to spar or fight, their decision is final.
Kit checks
Bring your own kit from week 1. On fight night our team checks it. You'll use your own kit if it's safe. If it isn't, we provide gloves. Full list in our boxing kit list.
Fighting again
You can fight with us again. Returning fighters are matched on experience, so each fight is a step up, and from your third fight with us you compete for a winner's belt.
Questions
What are the rules of white collar boxing?
On our shows: three 2-minute rounds with 1 minute's rest, matching on age, weight and experience with no more than 5kg between fighters, 16oz gloves (14oz under 55kg), head guards, a medical before and after, and professional referees with medics ringside.
How long is a white collar boxing match?
Three 2-minute rounds, with 1 minute's rest between them.
Do you wear head guards in white collar boxing?
Yes. Open face head guards or cheek protectors. Full-face head guards aren't allowed on fight night.
What size gloves are used in white collar boxing?
16oz, or 14oz if you're under 55kg.
Are elbows allowed in white collar Muay Thai?
Not on our shows. It's punches, kicks and knees, with no elbows, no knees to the head, and one grab and knee in the clinch.
How is a white collar fight scored?
On our shows, the referee scores every bout. There's a winner and a runner up, or it's a draw.
What is a standing 8 count?
A pause where the referee counts to eight while the fighter shows they're fit to carry on. On our shows a bout is usually called off if a fighter takes two standing 8 counts.
Can a white collar fight be a draw?
Yes. The referee can score a bout as a draw.
Is there an age limit?
You need to be 18 or over by fight night. There's no upper age limit.
Your first round starts here
Eight weeks of free coaching, then a real fight night. Sign up in two minutes, then hear everything at the intro meeting before you commit to anything.
Join the camp →Take the 60-second quiz