A Knockout (KO) and Technical Knockout (TKO) are two ways a fight can be stopped before going the distance. The main difference is whether a boxer is able to beat the ten count after being knocked down – with or without a loss of consciousness. If they can’t, the result is a knockout win.
If a referee stops the fight for safety concerns over a fighter, it is a TKO. Some sanctioning bodies also allow the ringside physician to stop the fight for the same reason. The reasoning is that a fighter is taking too much punishment and that a knockdown is inevitable can be avoided, to protect the longer term health of the losing boxer. Technical knockouts will count towards a fighters knockout streak the same as a normal knockout win.
A TKO can also occur when a fight is stopped due to other injury including cuts, bleeding or swelling. This can happen even when the same fighter is ahead on points.
When it comes to damage caused by headbutts or other fouls, the referee must determine whether or not it was accidental. If the fight needs to be stopped, the decision is then dependant on whether it is after the fourth round or not. If after, the result is a ‘technical decision’ awarded to the boxer ahead on the scorecards at the time of the stoppage. If before, it is a ‘no decision’ result.
Deliberate fouls including headbutts may result in a disqualification and a win for the opponent.
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