What is a low blow in boxing?published at 17:55 BST 11 September
A low blow is when a boxer hits their opponent below the belt line, which is not allowed.
The belt line is defined by each boxer’s hip line and is identified before a fight by the referee.
The hip line indicates where a boxer wears their belt, and a hit there is considered legal.
The rules state that if the low blow is intentional, the boxer who has been hit must continue before a reasonable time (five minutes) has passed, unless the referee disqualifies the offender.
A boxer who has been hit by an accidental low blow must continue within five minutes or they will lose the bout by abandonment.
If the boxer on the receiving end does not complain and the low blow was not hard or intentional, the referee should signal the foul without interrupting the bout.
The referee can deduct points or disqualify a boxer who hits their opponent with a low blow.
Earlier this year, Adam Azim was deducted two points for low blows in his win over Sergey Lipinets.
