A boxing match typically consists of a set number of three-minute rounds, a total of up to 12 rounds. The fight is controlled by a referee who works with the boxers in the ring to judge and control the conduct of the fighters. There are normally three judges present at the side of the ring to score the bout and assign points to the boxers, based on punches, defense and knockdowns. The boxers have an assigned corner of the ring, where his or her coach may manage them at the beginning of the fight and between rounds.

The bouts are won by boxers normally by points given by judges but bouts can also end in split decisions and draws. A boxer may win the bout before a decision is reached through a knockout which is when a boxer is knocked down during the fight and the referee begins counting and should the referee count to ten, then the knocked-down boxer is ruled out as knocked out. A boxer can also win a bout by a technical knockout which is when a boxer is ruled by the referee as unable to safely continue to fight, based upon injuries or being judged unable to effectively defend themselves. When a boxer is knocked down, the other boxer must immediately stop fighting and move to the nearest neutral corner of the ring until the referee has either ruled a knockout or called for the fight to continue.

When in the ring boxers are prohibited from hitting below the belt, holding, tripping, pushing, biting, spitting or wrestling their opponent. They are also prohibited from kicking, head-butting, or hitting with any part of the arm other than the knuckles. If a boxer violates these rules then they may be ruled as fouls by the referee, who may issue warnings, deduct points, or disqualify an offending boxer which may cause an automatic loss depending on the seriousness of the foul committed.