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You can train to box from a young age, but must be over 11 to spar or compete. Once you have a medical card (ME3) you can train towards competition when your coach will 'match' you (based on your age, weight and experience) for a bout. On the day, you attend a weigh-in, before seeing the doctor for a medical to ensure you are fit to compete. You can compete in amateur boxing until the age of 34.

Competitors wear gloves with a white strip across the knuckle and score only by connecting with the white portion of the gloves. Each punch that lands on the head or torso is awarded a point. A referee monitors the fight to ensure that competitors use only legal blows (a belt worn over the torso represents the lower limit of punches - any boxer repeatedly landing ’low blows’ is disqualified).

Referees also ensure boxers don't use holding tactics and will stop the bout in the event of injury, or a serious imbalance between the boxers. For the full Rules of Amateur Boxing click here.

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A guide to amateur boxing rules for beginners