Boxing Canada, led by our Para and Adapted Boxing Committee, will be introducing Para Boxing to our members. 

Athletes, Coaches, and Officials will get to see and experience Para Boxing competition. Athletes who meet the requirements of the Para category will take to the ring to demonstrate their skills, fitness, and courage alongside their peers in our standard weight categories and age groups.

 

How does Para Boxing Work?

Same as Olympic Boxing. Athletes wear gloves, head gear, weight-in, and compete in a ring. The only difference is that beside having age categories, and weight classes, there are also “classifications” that describe the range of movement an athlete is capable of producing. Classifications are used in all Para sports. Some sports have a handful of classifications, while others have more than 30. Boxing describes its classification by assigning a number of points to an athlete based on lower limb movement, trunk control, requirement for back support, and general mobility. Just as athletes in Olympic boxing are matched by age/weight, Para athletes are matched by age/weight/points.

 

Currently Boxing Canada only has classifications for Para Boxing in wheelchair categories. As more athletes are ready to move from recreational (sparring and non-sparring) to competition we will look at adding a standing category. 

https://boxingcanada.org/para-and-adaptive-boxing/

What is Adaptive Boxing?

Adaptive Boxing is a recreational and fitness activity for individuals who would not typically fit within the normal participation structures of boxing. Adaptive boxers use modified equipment, techniques, and training to realize the benefits of boxing as a recreational and fitness activity. Adaptations exist for nearly all types of participants, from Olympic athletes recovering from an injury to Parkinson’s patients to blind boxing. Adaptive Boxing can be understood as Recreational, where Para Boxing can be understood as Competitive.

https://boxingcanada.org/para-and-adaptive-boxing/

What will I see at a Para Boxing Competition?

Athletes compete in the same way as Olympic boxers. Rounds and times are the same, and Para Boxing also has a Novice category for athletes with fewer than 10 bouts.

Boxers will enter the ring at their corners. Typically boxers will roll their competition wheel chair up a short ramp next to the ring. They will then ‘bum scoot’ sideways onto the apron, and then go under the ropes. Their coach will then place their competition chair in the ring and the athlete will climb in – remember they are boxers, they have great arm/shoulder strength! The boxing happens just like normal. The only difference is that athletes need to pilot their chairs with their arms while wearing gloves – a totally different set of skills! And just like Olympic boxing if an athlete falls over accidentally the referee will wave off the fall, the athlete will get back in their chair, the referee will check that their gloves are clean, and then back to boxing! Judges score the bout exactly the same way: rewarding quality punch contact to the head/torso, control of the ring, consistent pressure, and great athleticism. Referees monitor the action exactly the same way – always looking to ensure the safety of the athletes and ensure fairness at all times.

 

What’s the plan for Nationals?

The Boxing Competition at Nationals is available to any member of Boxing Canada who meets the classification protocol, has a coach, and meets the rules for competitive members (annual medical, pre-bout medical at weigh in, assessment for concussion, etc…)

 

If you are interested in participating please visit this registration link. Registration for Para is to be done by the individual. Provincial teams are not responsible for their members who are participating – but provinces could choose to support those members if they choose. 

Given that this will be the very first official Boxing Canada Para Boxing Competition we anticipate that all boxers will follow “Novice” rules.

Headgear and Gloves will be provided by the organizing committee.

All Para participants must be Canadian Safe Sport Program compliant. Athletes and coaches need to complete the Safe Sport 2025 Course. For login and account creation information please see this link.

 

At nationals all athletes and their coaches will need to participate in some additional information sessions. Exact times and locations will be updated shortly:

• Wednesday November 26th AM: Para Boxing Introduction Session and In-ring training
• Thursday November 26th AM (after weigh-ins, at Sport Manitoba): Intro to Classification session and In-ring training
• Friday November 27th (after weigh-ins, at Sport Manitoba): Officials educations and In-ring training
• Saturday November 28th and Sunday November 29th (afternoon sessions, at Sport Manitoba): Para Boxing Competition Bouts

 

Bouts will be scheduled as part of the Elite Nationals program. As of now we anticipate not needing to do a full draw for the Para categories. Scheduling of the bouts will take place at the regular nationals draw. Registered para athletes and coaches will receive an invitation to the draw which will be conducted by Zoom.

 

All other conditions of entry are similar to those for the Elite Nationals competition.

 

Medals will be provided to each athlete for participating. 

 

What do Provinces need to Know for Para at Nationals?

• No selection or registration is required. Para athletes and coaches can direct-register themselves.
• Para athletes and coaches DO need to have provincial memberships appropriate for competition and complete the Para-specific medical form
• Provinces who want to support their para boxers in competition are encouraged to do so.
• Provinces are encouraged to share the information about the Para competition with their clubs and members. 

Posted on: October 12, 2025