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How does a knockout differ from a technical knockout in boxing?
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boxing
Manny Pacquiao (right) and Floyd Mayweather, Jr., in their 2015 welterweight bout; Mayweather won in a unanimous decision.
In boxing, the distinction between a knockout and a technical knockout lies in how the match is concluded:
- Knockout (KO): This occurs when a boxer is struck by a blow that renders them unable to continue the fight, typically resulting in them being unable to rise before the referee completes a count.1
- Technical Knockout (TKO): This occurs when a match is terminated by the referee because a boxer is deemed unable to continue, often due to injuries or an inability to defend themselves effectively, even if they have not been rendered unconscious by a single blow.23
While a standard knockout is defined by the physical impact of a blow that prevents a fighter from continuing, a technical knockout is a decision made by the official to protect the athlete's safety when they can no longer safely compete.2