What is Masters Boxing

Masters Boxing is an amateur division for those ages 35 and older. Those that are age 35 to 40 can compete in the elite division (18 years old to 40 years old), or as a master boxer (age 35 and older) or can compete in both Elite and Masters Division up until the age of 40. Once a person turns 41, you can only compete in the masters division.

All USA Boxing Rules apply to the masters boxing division with the rules bellow being specific to masters boxing.
Master Boxers must use USA Boxing Approved 16oz gloves and headgear. The gloves should always be provided by the event you are participating in. The headgear you are responsible for and there are currently 2 companies that sell them, Title Boxing and Ringside. You know it is a masters headgear because the approved lavel by USA Boxing that is on the headgear will say Approved By USA Boxing with an M in the middle. The M stands for Masters. You will not be able to compete with any other headgear.

Masters can have a neatly groomed beard up to 2 inches long.

Master Boxers will compete in 3 round bouts with the duration being 1 minute to 2 minutes long and a 1 minute rest period in between rounds.

Master Boxers are matched up by Age / Weight / and Experience.
AGE: master boxers must be with in 10 years of their opponent. (Example: If you are 50 years of age, your apponent can be between the ages of 40 to 60)
WEIGHT: The weight classes are listed bellow. You will find that at most if not all master only tournaments, weight is limited to a max of a 8 to 10lb difference with the exeption of of the super heavyweights that is 201lbs and over.
EXPERIENCE: Novice being 0 to 1o bout experience / Open being 11 bouts or more. On your 5th bout, you can compete as an open boxer.

HOW DO WEIGHT CLASSES WORK?
Men’s Weight Classes = 108 lbs., 114 lbs., 123 lbs., 132 lbs., 141 lbs., 152 lbs., 165 lbs., 178 lbs., 201 lbs.,
201+ lbs.
Lets take the 132 lbs weight class. The weight for this weight class ranges from 123.1 lbs to 132 lbs and has a 8 lbs max difference. Example: You are 132 lbs, your opponent has to be no lower than 124 lbs and can not be over 132 lbs.

THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW
1) you can not compete with out an up to date USA Boxing Masters Passbook and Physical (Masters ages 45 and older must also have an Exercise EKG / Stress Test every 5 years). Passbooks are good for a calendar year (Expires December 31st of every years) EXAMPLE: You got your passbook April 23rd, 2019. Your book will be good until December 31st, 2019.
Your physical regular physical is good for a full year. EXAMPLE: you had your physical on March 15th 2019, your physical is good until March 15th 2020.
Those ages 45 and older must also have an Exercise EKG also known as the Stress test. These are good for 5 years.

2) Competition Attire: Coordinating uniform with respective red or blue corner is recommend but not required.
No nicknames or phrases will be permitted on the competition uniform.
No adornment may be affixed to the trunks such as metal or plastic objects, sequins, etc.
Boxers are not permitted to wear additional apparel other than the competition uniform into the ring or upon completion of the bout while in the ring, before the announcement of the winner.
Sponsor and/or club logos will be permitted on competition uniform. Slogans must be a part of the sponsor and/or club logo to be included on the competition uniform.
TRUNKS: Boxers must wear a pair of loose-fitting trunks that reach halfway down the thigh, no lower than the knees. The trunks must provide a waistband of a different color than the athletic shirt. Boxers are permitted to have their last name embroidered onto competition trunks as long as it is a different color from the competition singlet/jersey.
TOP: Boxers must wear a sleeveless athletic shirt (singlet or jersey), of a different color from the waistband of the trunks.
No tape or binding of any kind will be permitted on the competition uniform at national competition or competition leading to national competition. This rule may be relaxed at the local and LBC level (to support waistband rule)

3) CUP PROTECTOR: A cup protector must be worn by male boxers. Women may wear a groin protector, if they so choose. Breast Protector is optional for women.

4) PETROLEUM JELLY: The use of a thin coat of pure petroleum jelly (i.e., Vaseline) is permitted on the face only.

5) MOUTHPIECE: A Mouthpiece must be worn by boxers. No red, shades of red, or partially red-colored mouth pieces may be worn.

These are some of the basic rules that we must make sure we follow as they are not an option and will be inforced at USA Boxing Sanctioned events and National tournaments. Brush up on the rulebook, the link is below.

USA Boxing Rulebook