Not every boxing match concludes with a knockout or a decision by the judges. Occasionally, you may come across the term “RTD,” which can be unfamiliar, particularly if you’re new to the sport or to the terminology used around it.
In this blog post, we will explain what RTD means within the context of boxing and how it fits into the broader understanding of how bouts are decided. Read on to learn more.
RTD stands for “Retired” in boxing. This result happens when one fighter does not come out for the next round. The decision usually occurs between rounds and is made by the boxer’s corner team or medical staff who believe it is safer to stop the fight. It is recorded in the official match summary and may be described as “corner retirement” on some betting sites.
RTD differs from a technical knockout (TKO) because an RTD is called during the break between rounds rather than during the action. If you place boxing bets, you will see RTD listed alongside other possible results such as knockouts, draws, points decisions, and disqualifications.
This outcome is part of the sport’s measures to protect the health and safety of boxers.
Safety is a priority in boxing. An RTD is called if a fighter does not continue at the start of a new round, often while resting in the corner. Common reasons include injuries such as cuts or swelling that could worsen if the fight continues. Trainers or ringside doctors may decide to stop the fight during these breaks.
Fatigue can also be a factor. If a boxer is considered too tired to defend themselves effectively, the team or medical staff might choose not to send them out for the next round, prioritising wellbeing.
The British Boxing Board of Control requires ringside doctors to examine fighters during breaks. If concerns arise, recommending an RTD is part of keeping participants safe.
While both RTD and TKO mean a fight has ended early, they describe different situations and may affect match records and bets differently.
A TKO, short for Technical Knockout, happens when the referee stops a fight during a round, usually because one boxer cannot defend themselves or risks further harm. The referee or sometimes the doctor makes this call immediately.
RTD, meaning “Retired,” happens during the break between rounds and is usually decided by the boxer’s corner or medical professionals. Both are early stoppages, but the timing and who makes the decision differ.
On some betting sites, these outcomes are grouped under “early finishes.” It could be helpful to check your bookmaker’s rules to understand how such results are handled.
As explained, “Retired” means a boxer does not come out to continue at the start of a new round, often recorded as RTD. The decision is usually agreed during the break, involving the boxer, coach, referee, and medical staff.
If you see “Retired” on a scorecard, it refers only to stopping that particular bout for safety or medical reasons. It is not connected to a boxer ending their overall career. This official result will appear in match records. How it affects your potential bet depends on how your chosen bookmaker classifies the outcome.
Sometimes a fight stops for reasons outside the boxers’ actions, such as an accidental clash of heads causing a cut. In these cases, a Technical Decision is used.
This only applies if the bout has passed a minimum number of rounds, often four or more in the UK. If it stops earlier, the match may be declared a “no contest.”
When a Technical Decision is made, completed rounds are scored by judges. The boxer ahead on points at the stoppage is awarded the win. Unlike RTD or TKO, this decision results from accidental injury rather than a team’s choice to stop the fight.
If you are betting, it could be helpful to review your bookmaker’s terms on this result, as some may treat it differently from other victory methods.
The choice to call an RTD usually involves the boxer’s team, including coaches and corner staff, rather than the boxer alone. In the UK, medical professionals play a key role and may advise the team to stop the fight if a boxer’s health is at risk. The referee can also stop the match for a medical check if necessary.
Sometimes, a boxer may want to continue but is overruled for safety reasons. Other times, the boxer may decide to stop, supported by their team. All RTD decisions follow guidelines set by the British Boxing Board of Control designed to protect boxers’ long-term wellbeing.
UK bookmakers offer bets on various boxing outcomes, including fights ending by RTD. Some sites combine RTD with TKO and KO in a “method of victory” market, while others list RTD separately.
It might be helpful to check how the RTD market is presented and how your chosen bookmaker settles such bets. Odds for an RTD will reflect how likely the bookmaker considers this outcome, based on the bout’s circumstances.
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