A complete boxing words, terms & phrases glossary featuring every piece of lingo – here covering V, W, X, Y and Z. Just part of our huge Boxing FAQ.
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Words & Terms: V
Venue
The place where a boxing event is held. For example, the MGM Grand Arena, Las Vegas.
Verdict
Or result, outcome. For example, the verdict of the bout was a Unanimous Decision for Boxer A. See our Boxing Results Explained guide for more information on verdicts.
Veteran
A boxer with a wealth of experience as an Amateur and or Professional, who is said to ‘know his way around the ring’. Veterans, while typically older, are usually very confident in their abilities and can be masters of fundamentals and time-honed craft.
Volume Puncher
A boxer who throws a lot of leather, such as the legendary Manny Pacquiao who was revered for his high work rate and lightning-fast combinations.
Words & Terms: W
Waived Off
An act performed by a referee to save a boxer from further punishment deemed unnecessary. The referee will typically step in and wave his hands above the boxer’s head, leading to a Technical Knockout (TKO) victory for the opponent.
Walking Down (an opponent)
A confident boxer who has worked out his opponent may begin to press forward, stay on the front foot, and start to throw more frequently with harder shots. Boxers such as Gennady Golovkin and Artur Beterbiev are good at finishing (knocking out) their opponents through this strategy.
Walkout Bout
A fight card’s first or early bouts are often referred to as ‘walkout bouts’. This is because the featured boxers are unknown, and or novices, and are therefore not considered to be among the main attractions of the event.
Walkover
A boxer possessing a ‘journeyman record’ may be considered a ‘walkover’ when stepping into the ring with a highly capable opponent.
Warning
Or caution; issued by a referee to a boxer who has committed an infringement of the rules such as a low blow.
Washed Up
Or shop-worn; refers to a former champion or decent boxer who has deteriorated and no longer performs at the same level.
WBA
World Boxing Association; a sanctioning body which awards title belts during professional championship fights.
WBC
World Boxing Council; a sanctioning body which awards title belts during professional championship fights.
WBO
World Boxing Organization; a sanctioning body which awards title belts during professional championship fights.
Weigh-In
An event, often in front of press and fans in mainstream bouts, where boxers are weighed on scales typically 24 hours before a scheduled fight. The boxers must not exceed the maximum weight for their division. For example, in a Welterweight bout, neither man can exceed 147 lbs/67kg.
Weight Classes
Or divisions. Boxing currently has 17 weight classes, which exist to ensure fights are both competitive and as sportingly fair as possible for both boxers.
Welterweight
A weight division whereby boxers must not exceed 147 lbs/67kg on the scales.
Wind
Or tank; refers to a boxer’s stamina and cardiovascular endurance.
Windmilling
A term used to describe a novice boxer who lacks technique and finesse, or perhaps a professional boxer who is desperately trying to land a knockout blow in the final round. Deontay Wilder ‘windmilled’ Bermane Stiverne in the 2nd round of their 2015 bout.
Win on Points
Usually refers to a Unanimous, Split or Majority Decision, but can refer to the Technical variety. You can find a list of decision outcome meanings in our Boxing Results Explained guide.
Whiskers
Or beard; refers to a boxer’s punch resistance. A boxing commentator might say: “John Smith seemed unfazed by that big shot – he has a good set of whiskers on him.”
White Collar Boxing
Refers to boxers – often people participating in the sport in their spare time – who are neither registered as Amateurs or Professionals. They compete in contests that usually carry no prize money; White Collar Boxing is typically taken up as a past time by fitness or boxing enthusiasts.
It continues to grow, with companies offering people (with no combat experience) a chance to train and compete in a real bout.
White Corner
Or Neutral Corner. Following a knockdown, the attacking boxer will be asked to go to the furthest ‘white corner’ while the referee reads the felled boxer a 10-count.
Work Rate
Refers to how many punches a boxer throws during a round or fight. The rate may be high or low depending on the style or strategy implemented.
Words & Terms: X
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Words & Terms: Y
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Words & Terms: Z
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