Referees, Judges and Officials play a vital role in running Boxing Ireland’s competition structure as well as ensuring that clubs are able to provide club shows.
Judges
Judges score rounds based on effective aggression, ringcraft, defence and clean punching, awarding 10 points to the winner of the round and fewer to the loser, typically progressing from local club shows to national/international events through structured training and experience. Becoming a judge involves training, learning rules (like the 10-point must system), and gaining extensive experience, often starting by officiating many amateur bouts to build skills and earn respect
Referees
An amateur boxing referee enforces rules, ensures fighter safety (legal blows, no holding, low blows), and manages the flow of the match, requiring passion, training, and gaining experience at local bouts to advance in officiating. Referees protect boxers by stopping fights when necessary and ensuring fair play, acting as a crucial part of the sport’s structure, with training often involving qualifications and computer scoring.
Education
Referee and Judge training is overseen and administered by the National Registrar, and provided at local level.