Winning the bout Winning on points. This is the most common type of win and is decided simply by consulting the judges scores for each boxer. Winning by retirement. If the referee thinks a boxer is totally outclassed, the bout will be stopped and the superior opponent wins. The bout also will be stopped if one of the boxers is injured or is unable to continue or if one of the boxers receives an eight-count three times in one round or four times in a bout.
Boxers are down if they touch the floor with anything other than their feet.
They also are down if they are dangling on the ropes or are wholly or partially outside the ropes from a blow. A boxer can be considered down while standing up. This state usually occurs after the boxer has received a blow or blows to the head and may be dazed. Out on the feet, a boxer is given a mandatory eight-count by the referee. The referee uses this time to evaluate the status of the boxer to determine if the bout can continue.