Scope and current status
The German Boxing Federation’s competition rules govern Olympic-style boxing within the DBV system. They bind DBV members and anyone participating in an event held under these rules. Professional boxing and foreign promotions do not automatically use the same regulations. International federation events may also be governed by the relevant world or continental body.
The previous rules remain in force through October 31, 2026. A fully rewritten WKB takes effect on November 1. The DBV says it spent three years redrafting the regulations to define terminology, responsibilities and procedures more consistently. The new abbreviation WKB also avoids confusion with the world governing body World Boxing.
Rounds, age groups and equipment
A standard DBV bout consists of three rounds. Adults and U19 boxers compete over three-minute rounds, U17 over two minutes, U15 over 90 seconds and U13 over one minute. Each rest period lasts one minute. Age groups run from U13 to adults, with Olympic-style competition normally ending at the close of the calendar year in which a boxer turns 40.
Ten-ounce gloves are generally used through the over-60-to-65-kilogram division, with 12-ounce gloves required from the over-65-to-70-kilogram division upwards. Headgear is mandatory when a woman competes or when at least one boxer is U19, U17, U15 or U13. The current weight limits are listed in the WKB appendices. See boxing weight classes explained for a broader comparison.
How bouts are scored
Rounds use the 10-Point Must System. The round winner receives ten points and the other boxer nine, eight or seven depending on the margin. From November 2026, the WKB states a clear hierarchy: the number of clean legal punches is the primary criterion. If that is nearly level, technical and tactical superiority decides. Activity and initiative are considered only after those two stages. A warning deducts one point from each judge’s total.
German and regional championships use five judges; other events may use three or five. An evaluator may assess officiating for training and ranking purposes but is not part of the bout jury and cannot intervene in the contest or decision.
Results and protests
A bout may end on points, by knockout, referee stoppage, injury stoppage, retirement, disqualification, walkover or no contest. Judges’ sporting assessments and referees’ factual decisions are generally final. Under the new rules, a supervisor may alter a result only when a serious rules breach in matchmaking or conduct is established beyond doubt and materially disadvantaged the losing boxer. The supervisor’s decision is final.
Medical suspensions
A boxer who is knocked out must be examined by the ringside doctor and receives a medical suspension. From November 2026, a first suspension lasts at least 30 calendar days. A further suspension within three months after the first expires lasts three months; another consecutive suspension lasts one year. Competition and competition-like training are prohibited during that period. Medical clearance, and where necessary a neurological examination, is required before returning.
The new WKB also expressly regulates immediate aftercare. A licensed coach or second briefed by the doctor must ensure uninterrupted supervision for 24 hours, inform parents or guardians when the boxer is a minor and notify everyone involved in the athlete’s boxing training.
Licences and other combat sports
The rewritten rules establish a central DBV licence system for boxers, coaches, cutmen, officials, ringside doctors and supervisors. Section 5(5) is especially significant: boxers and coaches who take part in MMA, bare-knuckle boxing or so-called cage boxing cannot hold a DBV licence, and an existing licence is stated to expire automatically upon participation. Kickboxing is expressly excluded from that restriction. Other activity outside the DBV system, particularly professional boxing, generally requires prior DBV approval.
Other changes from November 2026
The standard competition ban after changing clubs is reduced from two months to one. National events generally require an application to the regional association at least 21 days in advance. International events and foreign starts are handled through the DBV portal. Advertising, integrity and officials’ conduct are also regulated in much greater detail.
A new section restricts ideological expression within an organiser’s area of responsibility. Promotion of political parties or religious organisations is prohibited alongside specified criminal, racist, extremist and separatist content. Foreign flags and anthems are generally barred, with an exception at international events for recognised nations or territories officially represented by their athletes.
An unresolved difference from the 2025 rules
Several specific youth safeguards in the 2025 version are not repeated in the new WKB. The previous rules prescribed four- or five-day minimum intervals outside specified tournaments, a seven-day recovery period after more than two tournament bouts on consecutive days and annual caps of twelve U13 and twenty U15 bouts. The published rewrite instead states one bout per calendar day and a minimum twelve-hour interval. The DBV announcement does not explain whether the previous limits will continue in another medical or competition document.