At the 2026 Dakar Youth Olympic Games, boxing will follow rules tailored to athletes under the age of 17. From the format of the bouts and the scoring system to safety measures, everything is carefully regulated to ensure both sporting fairness and the protection of the young boxers.
In boxing at the Youth Olympic Games, bouts follow the amateur format set by the International Boxing Association (IBA). Matches consist of three rounds of three minutes each, with a one-minute rest period between rounds. The winner is determined either by the judges’ decision, by the referee’s decision, or, more rarely, by a knockout. The scoring system used is the ‘10-point must system’: in each round, the boxer deemed to be the better performer receives 10 points, whilst his opponent generally receives 9 or fewer, depending on the observed difference. The judges assess specific criteria: number of clean punches landed, technical quality, tactical control and defence.
“The judges can award 10 points to a boxer who, in their view, has performed well, and 9 points to his opponent. This results in a 10-9 score in the case of close bouts. A 10-8 score may be given for a clear round, and 10-7 for total dominance.”
Christophe Mibe Djonsi, Boxing referee – Cameroon
The protection of young athletes is a central element of the rules. Boxers wear approved gloves and, depending on the weight categories and the regulations in force for IBA youth competitions, protective headgear is compulsory. Each bout is preceded and followed by a medical check-up, and a boxer may not return to the ring without observing a minimum rest period, particularly in the event of a heavy blow or suspected concussion. The referee is obliged to stop the bout immediately in the event of obvious imbalance or danger to one of the participants.
“Some viewers, due to their lack of understanding of the rules, engage in speculation regarding the decisions made by the judges. It is very important to know the rules. Decisions are not made at random. They are based on the IBA rules and only on those.”
Christophe Mibe Djonsi, Boxing referee – Cameroon
Finally, the organisation of boxing at the Youth Olympic Games forms part of a broader development strategy. The points system prioritises technical skill over power, thereby limiting dangerous encounters. The absence of specific qualifying tournaments also reduces the number of bouts leading up to the Games. This framework enables young boxers to take part in a demanding international competition whilst competing in a safe environment, in line with the educational objectives of the YOG.
