Knockout 17163 222524828 2008-06-29T20:28:36Z 208.117.11.128 /* Knockdown */ :''KO redirects here. For other uses, see [[Ko]]. For other uses of knockout, see [[Knockout (disambiguation)]].'' [[Image:Box24-knock-down.jpg|thumb|275px|A boxer is knocked down and receives the 10-count.]] A '''knockout''' (also referred to as a '''K.O.''') is a winning criterion in several [[full-contact]] [[combat sport]]s, such as [[boxing]], [[kickboxing]], [[Muay Thai]], [[mixed martial arts]] and others sports involving [[strike (attack)|striking]]. A knockout is usually awarded when one participant is unable to rise from the [[canvas]] within a specified period of time, typically because of fatigue, injury (serious or temporarily incapacitating, e.g. a bleeding cut above the eye can blind a fighter), loss of balance, or [[unconsciousness]]; that is, the person may literally be knocked out. A '''technical knockout''' (also referred to as a '''T.K.O.''') is often declared when the referee or other judges (such as official ring [[physician]], the fighter himself, or the fighter's [[cornerman|cornermen]]) decide that a fighter cannot continue the match, even though he did not fail the count.<ref>Sugar, Bert. [http://www.owingsmillsboxingclub.com/boxing.htm Boxing]. ''www.owingsmillsboxingclub.com''. URL last accessed [[March 4]] [[2006]].</ref> [[United Kingdom|British]] records refer to TKOs as either "retired", if the fighter refuses to continue, or "R.S.F.", for Referee Stopped Fight. ==Physical characteristics== <!-- Unsourced image removed: [[Image:Knock out.jpg|thumb|275px|A Cambodian [[Pradal Serey]] kickboxer is still knocked down while his adversary is being proclaimed the winner]] --> There is actually very little known about what exactly causes a knockout but many agree it has to do with minor trauma to the brain stem. This usually happens when the head rotates sharply, often caused by a strike. A common misconception is that a knockout is caused by compression put on the carotid arteries in the neck restricting blood flow, but this is in fact how a choke out works.<ref> Margaret Goodman, MD [http://www.secondsout.com/RINGSIDE/sopranos.cfm?ccs=354&cs=9809 Ringside and training principles] URL last accessed [[June 20]] [[2006]]</ref> A basic principle of boxing is to defend against this vulnerability by keeping both hands raised about the face. A fighter who suffers a [[concussion]] and becomes unconscious from a [[strike (attack)|strike]] with sufficient [[knockout power]] is referred to as having been ''knocked out'' or ''kayoed'' (''KO'd''). Losing balance without losing consciousness is referred to as being ''knocked down'' ("down but not out"). Repeated blows to the head are known to gradually cause permanent [[brain damage]], with [[Alzheimer]]- or [[pugilistic Parkinson's|Parkinson's]]-like symptoms, and in severe cases may cause [[stroke]]s or [[paralysis]]. This is commonly known as becoming "[[punch-drunk]]". Because of this, many [[physicians]] advise against sports involving knockouts.<ref>Lieberman, Abraham. [http://www.liebermanparkinsonclinic.com/content/view/48/31/ Causing Parkinson: Boxing, Brain Injury]. ''www.liebermanparkinsonclinic.com''. URL last accessed [[March 4]] [[2006]].</ref> ==As a winning outcome== [[Image:SingletonBox-knockout.jpg|thumb|right|275px|A knockout can be characterized by temporary unconsciousness.]] In [[boxing]], a knockout occurs when a fighter is knocked down and does not get up within 10 seconds, as counted by the referee. ==Knockdown== A knockdown occurs when a fighter touches the floor of the ring with any part of his body other than his feet following a hit. The term is also used if the fighter is hanging on to the ropes, caught between the ropes, or is hanging over the ropes and is unable to fall to the floor and cannot protect himself. A knockdown triggers a count by the referee; if the fighter fails the count, then the fight is ended as a K.O.<ref>[http://www.ringsidebygus.com/boxing-terms.html#k Boxing Terminology] ''Ringside by Gus''. URL last accessed [[June 17]] [[2008]].</ref> A '''flash knockdown''' is a knockdown where the fighter hits the canvas but recovers quickly enough that a count is not started.<ref>[http://www.ringsidebygus.com/boxing-terms.html#k Boxing Terminology] ''Ringside by Gus''. URL last accessed [[June 17]] [[2008]].</ref> ==See also== *[[Concussion]] *[[Knockout power]] ==References== <div class="references-small"> <references /> </div> {{Combat sports decisions}} [[Category:Martial arts terms]] [[Category:Boxing terminology]] [[bg:Нокаут]] [[da:Knockout]] [[de:Knockout (Sport)]] [[es:Nocaut]] [[fr:Knockout]] [[id:KO]] [[it:Knock-out]] [[he:נוקאאוט]] [[nl:Knock-out]] [[ja:ノックアウト]] [[no:Knockout]] [[pl:Nokaut]] [[ksh:Knock out]] [[ru:Нокаут]] [[sv:Knock out]] [[th:ที.เค.โอ.]]