1. Knockdown: A boxer is "down" when any part of the boxer's body, except the boxer's feet, touches the floor of the ring, or when the boxer hangs helplessly on the ring ropes or when the boxer is rising from a down position, as a result of a legal blow. Whether a knockdown has occurred is at the sole judgment of the referee.

2. Eight count: A boxer who is down shall take a count of eight seconds regardless of whether the boxer has returned to their feet before the count of eight has ended.

3. Counting: When a boxer is down, the knockdown counter immediately shall begin counting, making the count known with an arm motion. The referee immediately shall order the other boxer to a neutral corner and then pick up the count from the knockdown counter making the count known with an arm motion. If the boxer is unable to return to their feet at the count of ten seconds, the referee shall declare the other boxer the winner of the match.

4. Low blow: The referee may give a boxer a maximum break of five minutes if the referee determines a foul was committed by the other boxer. Each boxer shall return to their respective corner until the round is ready to resume.

History: Effective February 1, 1997; amended effective July 1, 2016; October 1, 2020.

General Authority: NDCC 53-01-07

Law Implemented: NDCC 53-01-07