Many boxers wonder if the kidney punch is illegal in boxing.
In combat sports, there are many vulnerable targets, including your opponent’s body or head.
Beginner boxers think that taking a hook or uppercut to the chin is the worst thing that can happen to them in the ring.
For more experienced boxers, there are targets that they fear more, such as the liver or back of the head via a rabbit punch.
One of the worst places to get punched is the kidney, which can have devastating consequences if hit.
This article will discuss whether the kidney punch is illegal in boxing.
What Is A Kidney Punch?
A kidney punch is when a boxer strikes his opponent’s lower back, unlike straight punches which aim for the front of the opponent.
The kidneys are located towards your back and are not a usual target for boxers.
This usually happens when you’re in close range or in a clinch, and your arm cannot protect your body from the wide swinging blows.
Unlike the rib cage which protects your lungs, heart, and part of the liver, there is little to no protection in the lower back area to protect you from kidney strikes.
Is The Kidney Punch Legal In Boxing?
The kidney punch is illegal in boxing.
It’s important to distinguish this from a liver shot, which is legal.
While the top of your rib cage and your elbows protect your liver, you cannot easily protect yourself from kidney shots.
Referees stop the fight whenever a boxer turns their back on their opponent to prevent any accidental shots going to the lower back area or to the back of the head.
Even though aiming for an opponent’s kidneys is illegal, some boxers still do it both purposefully and accidentally.
Some boxers do it to weaken their opponents when they are in a clinch when the referee cannot see.
For shots that the referee can see, it’s up to them to decide whether a kidney punch is intentional or not and give warnings or take away points accordingly.
One professional fighter who used this often is George Foreman. The tape clearly shows intentional kidney punches, but the referee didn’t deduct any points in either case.
Effects of the Kidney Punch
Some of the effects of a kidney punch include:
- Erratic Blood Pressure
- Internal Bleeding
- Kidney Rupture
The kidneys are essential organs for your well-being, but they’re fragile with little to no protection.
They also help produce Vitamin D for your bones. When it’s damaged or not functioning properly, toxins will remain in your blood.
Erratic Blood Pressure
First, getting hit hard in the kidney can lead to erratic blood pressure.
Your kidney’s main function is to filter blood, as well as regulate blood pressure and fluid intake.
Even mild cases of a bruised kidney can lead to severe health problems in the long term regarding blood pressure.
Internal Bleeding
Next, getting hit hard in the kidney can lead to internal bleeding.
In the short term, a bruised kidney can lead to urinating blood. This is serious and indicates damage to your vital organs.
Kidney Rupture
Lastly, getting hit hard in the kidney can lead to kidney rupture.
This is rare, but a hard enough hit to the kidney can lead to serious injury and even death by kidney rupture or organ failure.
How To Recover From A Kidney Punch
To recover from a kidney punch after a spar or fight,
- Take A Break And Rest
- Seek Medical Attention
- Prevent Getting Hit In The Kidney Again
If you’ve gotten hit with a good kidney punch, sometimes the effects are immediate. Other times you won’t feel the full effects until after you’re done fighting and the adrenaline is gone.
Take A Break And Rest
First, to recover from a kidney punch, take a break from boxing and get some bed rest.
This can take anywhere from one to two weeks until you feel fully recovered.
Seek Medical Attention
Next, to recover from a kidney punch, seek medical attention.
If there’s urine in your blood, you should seek immediate medical attention and treatment.
This points to internal bleeding which is always serious. A doctor will need to stop the bleeding inside and monitor your blood pressure over a period of months.
Prevent Getting Hit In The Kidney Again
Lastly, take measures to prevent getting hit in the kidney again.
For the future, it’s hard to train your back muscles to protect your kidney and prevent a future injury.
The best practice is to be aware of this attack and don’t show your back to your opponent.
However, if you’re in a clinch, there’s little you can do except to get out of that bind as quickly as possible.
If it’s a mild injury and you’re getting back into sparring, let your partner know so that they’ll focus on other parts of your body.
Conclusion
Now that you know of the kidney punch and all its risks, you’ll think twice before whacking away at your opponent’s back to weaken him.
Even though there is little you can do to protect yourself from a kidney punch when your opponent is clinching, it’s good to be aware of it. As a boxer, self-defense against powerful punches is your top priority.
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