It is medically proven that the back of the head is the highest risk area for injuries; consequently, the WBC is implementing the zero tolerance for rabbit punches guideline.
All referees officiating in any WBC affiliated bout must adhere to the following:
1. Immediately stop the action and warn and offending boxer who punches in the back of the head (rabbit punch).
It is common to see fighters rabbit punch during clinches, which is absolutely prohibited.
2. After the first warning, any continuous action by the same offending boxer or by retaliation must be immediately addressed by the referee with a hard warning or a point deduction.
3. Referees have the authority under his discretion to warn, to take away points or to disqualify offending fighters.
This guideline is for the use of referees officiating in WBC sanctioned bouts; however, the WBC encourages any boxing jurisdiction to implement this guideline in 4, 6, 8, and 10-round fights and championship bouts in their jurisdictions.
World Boxing Council
