Spanish Boxing Vocabulary: A2/B1 Sports Guide

“Boxeo” is the word for boxing. Example: “El boxeo es muy popular en México” (Boxing is very popular in Mexico). A boxer is “boxeador” (male) or “boxeadora” (female). For more boxing terms, check out our Complete Spanish Boxing Vocabulary Guide.

“Nocaut” (often shortened to “KO”) is knockout. Example: “Ganó por nocaut en el primer round” (He won by knockout in the first round). “Noquear” is the verb meaning “to knock out.” Example: “El campeón noqueó a su rival” (The champion knocked out his opponent).

“Golpe” is the general word for punch. “Puñetazo” is also used for a strong punch. Specific punches: “jab” (jab), “directo” (straight punch), “cross” (cross), “gancho” (hook), “uppercut” (uppercut). Example: “Su gancho al hígado fue devastador” (His hook to the liver was devastating).

“Gancho” is the word for hook. Example: “Lanzó un gancho de izquierda a la cabeza” (He threw a left hook to the head). In Spain, you might also hear “croché”. A hook to the body is “gancho al cuerpo”. A hook to the head is “gancho a la cabeza”.

“Réferi” is the most common word for referee in boxing. “Árbitro” is also used in some countries. Example: “El réferi detuvo la pelea en el sexto round” (The referee stopped the fight in the sixth round). The judges are “los jueces”.

“Categoría de peso” or simply “peso” is weight class. Example: “Canelo pelea en peso mediano” (Canelo fights at middleweight). Common weight classes: peso mosca (flyweight), peso pluma (featherweight), peso ligero (lightweight), peso welter (welterweight), peso mediano (middleweight), peso pesado (heavyweight).

“Round” is used universally. “Asalto” is also common. Example: “El combate duró doce rounds” (The fight lasted twelve rounds). “Cayó en el tercer asalto” (He fell in the third round). The bell is “la campana”. Between rounds, boxers rest in their “esquina” (corner).

“Saco” or “pera” is punching bag. “Saco de boxeo” is the heavy bag. Example: “Golpeó el saco durante diez rounds” (He hit the heavy bag for ten rounds). “Pera de velocidad” is speed bag. Example: “La pera de velocidad mejora el ritmo” (The speed bag improves rhythm).

“Protector bucal” is mouthguard. In some countries, “protector dental” or simply “protector” is used. Example: “No olvides ponerte el protector bucal antes de la pelea” (Don’t forget to put on your mouthguard before the fight). Other equipment: “guantes” (gloves), “vendas” (hand wraps), “casco” (headgear).

“Decisión unánime” = unanimous decision (all three judges score for the same fighter). “Decisión dividida” = split decision (two judges for one fighter, one for the other). “Decisión mayoritaria” = majority decision (two judges for one fighter, one draw). “Empate” = draw. Example: “Ganó por decisión unánime” (He won by unanimous decision).

“Cortada” or “corte” is a cut. Example: “Una cortada sobre el ojo derecho puso en peligro la pelea” (A cut over the right eye put the fight in danger). “Hematoma” is a bruise/swelling. “Hinchazón” is swelling. The ringside doctor is “el médico del ring”.

“¡A la lona!” means “To the canvas!” Fans yell this when a fighter is knocked down or when they want a knockdown. “Lona” is the canvas floor of the ring. Other common boxing yells: “¡Sáquenlo de ahí!” (Get him out of there!), “¡No más!” (No more!), “¡Qué golpe!” (What a punch!).

“Clinch” or “agarrarse” is the clinch. Example: “Se agarró para evitar más golpes” (He clinched to avoid more punches). “Juego de pies” is footwork. “Movimiento de cabeza” is head movement. “Esquivar” is to dodge. “Cubrirse” is to cover up. “Contragolpe” is counterpunch.

“Sparring” is used as is. You can also say “entrenamiento con compañero” (training with a partner). Example: “Hizo sparring con un boxeador más pesado” (He sparred with a heavier boxer). The sparring partner is “compañero de sparring” or “sparring”.

Mexico has produced the most world champions, including Julio César Chávez, Canelo Álvarez, Salvador Sánchez, and Juan Manuel Márquez. Puerto Rico (US territory, Spanish-speaking) has produced Félix Trinidad, Wilfredo Gómez, and Miguel Cotto. Cuba has produced Teófilo Stevenson (amateur legend) and current champions like Luis Ortiz. Argentina produced Carlos Monzón and Marcos Maidana. Spain has produced Kiko Martínez and Sandor Martín.

“Canelo” means “cinnamon” in Spanish. Saúl Álvarez is nicknamed “Canelo” because of his red hair. In boxing contexts, “Canelo” almost always refers to the Mexican champion. Example: “Canelo Álvarez es el campeón de peso mediano” (Canelo Álvarez is the middleweight champion). Other boxing nicknames: “Manos de Piedra” (Roberto Durán), “Dinamita” (Juan Manuel Márquez), “El Flaco Explosivo” (Alexis Argüello).

“Pelea por el título” or “combate por el campeonato” is title fight. Example: “La pelea por el título de peso pesado fue increíble” (The heavyweight title fight was incredible). The champion is “el campeón”. The challenger is “el retador”. A mandatory defense is “defensa obligatoria”.

“Agacharse y esquivar” or “moverse hacia los lados” describes bobbing and weaving. Example: “Mike Tyson era famoso por agacharse y esquivar los golpes” (Mike Tyson was famous for bobbing and weaving). “Juego de cintura” refers to waist/body movement for defense.

“Combinación” or “combo” is combination. Example: “Lanzó una combinación de tres golpes” (He threw a three-punch combination). Common combinations: “jab-cross” (jab-directo), “jab-cross-hook” (jab-directo-gancho).

The best ways: 1) Watch boxing matches with Spanish commentary (ESPN Knockout, TV Azteca in Mexico). 2) Follow Spanish-speaking boxers on social media (Canelo Álvarez, Óscar Valdez). 3) Read boxing news on Spanish sites like ESPN Deportes or Superluchas. 4) Listen to Spanish boxing podcasts. 5) Watch classic fights with Spanish commentary on YouTube. 6) Take our Spanish Boxing Vocabulary Quiz to test your knowledge!