An Analysis of the Technical Performance Demands of Elite Female Boxers.

The aim of this study was to analyse the technical performance demands of elite level female boxing across four different bout outcomes (unanimous win, split win, split loss and unanimous loss). 37 bouts (74 performances) were analysed from the quarter-finals, semi-finals and finals of the 2014 women's world championships. The analysis was conducted using key performance indicators (KPI's), including total punches, types of punch, punch outcome, type of defence and type of exchange. Unanimous winners threw the most punches overall and also in each round independently. Unanimous win and split win were found to throw significantly more very successful punches and successful three punch combinations than both split loss and unanimous loss. The number of exchanges initiated was highest for unanimous win, followed by split win, with unanimous loss initiating the least number of attacks. Although there was no significant difference between unanimous win and split win, the main differences were found to be very successful punches, successful punches, efficiency and individual attacks. The differences between most KPI's was smaller between split win and split loss than unanimous win and unanimous loss. Split winners initiated more exchanges in order to dominate bouts. This study provides a detailed analysis of KPI's across four different bout outcomes (unanimous win, split win, split loss and unanimous loss) and can be used by coaches and athletes in order to assist in the planning of training programmes and informing tactics