Below is a list of boxing phrases and terminology commonly used in the sport.
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Candy Cane -
A body punch used by Sugar Ray Robinson thrown with a right hand to the body slightly turning it over and pushing downward.
Canvas -
The floor in a boxing ring.
Catcher -
A fighter who uses their head to block the other guy's punches. This kind of boxing strategy doesn't lead to long careers.
Catchweight -
It's a weight mutually agreed upon by two boxers. It's when boxers in different weight classes meet in the middle. A catchweight fight is made at a middle-of-the-road weight between two weight divisions.
Caught Cold -
To describe a fighter knocked out early in the fight who was not mentally prepared or warmed up properly.
Caution -
An admonition from the referee to a boxer, but generally not for serious infringements of the rules. After three cautions, a warning is issued.
Challenger -
A boxer who is scheduled to face a champion or the favored fighter.
Check Hook -
Designed to counter the attack of an aggressive fighter and consists of pivoting on your lead leg while throwing a hook to catch your forward-charging opponent.
Chief Second -
The head trainer in charge of a fighter's corner. Referred to as a corner man, aids, and assists the boxer between rounds.
Chin -
Having a chin, whiskers or granite like jaw means having the ability to absorb punches when you get hit with a big shot and stay standing, to remain on your feet despite seeing black flashing lights, blurred, double or triple vision and feeling a buzz that goes all the way to your toes. Some say you are either born with a good chin or not. Other says it's a mental toughness that when your brain tells you to go down to the canvas you will yourself to stay on your feet.
Clean Punching -
(Score/Judging) Direct punches delivered with the knuckle part of the closed glove on any part of the scoring zone of the opponent's body above the belt line.
Clinch -
A last resort defensive technique. It's when one boxer holds onto the other to avoid being hit or muffle an opponent's attack.
Combination -
A series of punches thrown in sequence like a left jab, followed by a straight right, followed by a left hook.
Commission -
An entity authorized under state/provincial/country law to regulate professional boxing matches.
CompuBox -
A computer program that was developed in 1985 by CompuBox, Inc. that counts and categorizes punches that are thrown and connected in boxing matches. It's used by TV networks to report punch stats to the audience on televised fights and also by promoters and trainers to help them analyze future opponents and fighter's sparring sessions.
Contender -
A fighter in a position to perhaps challenge for a championship.
Corkscrew Punch -
A punch thrown in a twisting motion, which often causes cuts.
Corner Man -
At the junction of the ropes (a corner of the ring) where a boxer rests between rounds their second, the corner man advises them, gives them water, tries to reduce swelling and stop bleeding.
Count -
A count is tolling of the seconds by the referee after a boxer is knocked down. If a boxer is still down at the end of the count of ten then the fight is over by knockout.
Counterpunch -
A counterpuncher waits for their opponent to throw a punch, blocks or slips past them, and then exploits the opening in the opponent's position with a counter attack or punch.
Covering Up -
Defensive tactic where a fighter goes into a shell to thwart their opponent's offensive.
Cross -
A power punch thrown with the boxer's dominant hand. It's also called a straight right, right or straight punch.
Cutman -
Cornerman responsible for tending to swelling and cuts.
