​Vision

On a mission to make adaptive boxing a Paralympic sport

The United Adaptive Boxing Council is the reputable governing body for adaptive boxing in the U.S., ensuring adaptive athlete safety by strictly following UABC Ability Classification, weight regulations, medical criteria, and guidelines mandated by USA Boxing. Our platform is dedicated to providing comprehensive information about adaptive boxing, encompassing rules, equipment specifications, sanctioned events, and significant milestones.​

Current UABC US Adaptive Boxing Champions

​U.A.B.C Rules & Standards

 UABC ensures the safety of all adaptive athletes by following the UABC ability classification, weight classification, and accessory requirements established by the organization.  Additionally, UABC follows medical requirements and standards set by the USA Boxing Rulebook & Guidelines for our Amateur adaptive boxing matchups and will only award adaptive boxing licenses for competition to those individuals who follow and complete all of the requirements requested

​Our sparring and competitive rounds are 3 to 4 two minute rounds with a 1 minute rest break between rounds

​Learn more about UABC requirements by scrolling down this page

We follow USA Boxing Rules and Regulations click below for more detail

Adaptive Weight Classification

All Adaptive Divisions Male & Female
​
Heavyweight 175lb-200lbs +
Middleweight 140-174lbs
​Lightweight 110lb-139lbs

Adaptive Divisions ( Wheelchair users)

(Eligible fighters must be evenly matched by way of scaled score including following factors:  weight classification, ability level and skill level) *Skill based on number of sparring/bouts

​Division A (Good Trunk Control & Mobility without loss of balance. Full use of upper extremities)
  • Elite Mobile**
  • Elite Locked in **
  • Advanced
  • Intermediate 1, 2, 3 (Developmental)
  • Beginner

Division B (Impairment that impacts trunk/balance and/or 1 upper extremity)
  • Elite Mobile**
  • Elite Locked in**
  • Advanced
  • Intermediate 1,2,3 (Developmental)
  • Beginner 

Division C (Impairment that impacts trunk and/or upper extremities/reaction timing/coordination) *
  • Intermediate 1,2,3
  • Beginner
*Division C may not participate in the Advanced or Elite level competition but can participate in exhibitions and sparring
**Competition level

Advancement of levels within category is determined by
  1. Number of sparring bouts
  2. Skill level
  3. Coaches discretion
  4. Weight classification
  5. Medical clearance

Adaptive Boxing Equipment Requirements

​16 0z Gloves (Mandatory)
Hand wraps (Mandatory)
USA Approved Head Gear (Mandatory)
Mouthguard (Mandatory)
Chest Protector (Optional)
Wheelchair Stabilizer (Mandatory)
Belt Stabilizer (Mandatory)
Leg Stabilizer (Mandatory)
​Adaptive boxers must be listed as an "ACTIVE" Boxer receive their amateur adaptive boxing license to compete in competition/demonstration/exhibition matches
Adaptive Boxers listed as "INACTIVE" will only be allowed to train during clinics including light sparring, but will not be able to compete

Adaptive Boxing Affiliations (click on club)

Upcoming Events​

September 2026-Adaptive Boxing Showcase 5 (TBD)

Latest News

  • December 13th, 2025
3 UABC Adaptive Boxers traveled to Santurtzi, Spain to compete at Undefined Fighters Night

Claudia "Baby Tyson" Def. Joanna "Real Deal" by Decision to win the UFN International Women's Adaptive Boxing Championship

Alijaah "King Kong" Def Ekrem (FRA) by Decision to win the UFN International Men's Heavyweight Adaptive Boxing Championship 
  • December 5th 2025
Claudia "Baby Tyson" Palacios steps in to fight Joanna "The Real Deal Bonilla on the Undefined Fighters Night Card in Santurtzi, Spain after international opponent pulls out with 3 weeks to fight day.

This match between Baby Tyson and The Real Deal will be contested for an International Undefined Fighters Night Title & for Baby Tyson will be contested for  The Vacant UABC US Women's Heavyweight Title

  • September 2025
​Inaugural UABC Adaptive Boxing Champions crowned for first time in US at the UABC Sanctioned Adaptive Boxing Showcase 3

Jonathan "Suavecito" defeated Orlando "The Wheel Deal" by Split Decision to win the Vacant Men's US UABC Middleweight Title

Kelley "The Truth" defeated Claudia "Baby Tyson" by Split Decision to win the Vacant Women's US UABC Lightweight Title

Joanna "The Real Deal defeated Shelby "Lethal" by Unanimous Decision to win the Vacant Women's US UABC Middleweight Title

Alijaah "King Kong" defeated Abe "Freight Train" by Split Decision to win the Vacant Men's US UABC Heavyweight Title

New Mobility Magazine publishes an article on the rise of Adaptive Boxing under the UABC
  • March 2025
UABC has launched the Inaugural Adaptive Boxing US Titles in the following weight classes
Men's
Heavyweight
Middleweight 
Lightweight

Women's
Heavyweight
Middleweight
Lightweight 
  • ​February 2025
​​The UABC announces they will Sanction their first Adaptive Boxing Showcase in September 2025
  • January 2025
​​UABC is officially formed to be a leader for governing adaptive boxing competitively in the US and work towards safe standards to advance the sport of adaptive boxing for Paralympic recognition​
​

Want to compete? Get Classified? Learn more about Adaptive Boxing?

​Submit your Adaptive Boxer Application to fight on a sanctioned UABC card

UABC Committee Members

  • Committee Chair- ​Devon Palermo Head Coach DPI Adaptive Boxing Club
  • Joanna Bonilla-Adaptive Boxer/Coach DPI Adaptive Boxing Club
  • Orlando Perez-Adaptive Boxer, Strike Boxing Utah
  • Mindy Vernier-Head Coach Fighters Nashville
  • Steve Vernier-Coach Fighters Nashville
  • Abe Waugh-Adaptive Boxer, DPI Adaptive Boxing Club
  • Alec Pritchard-Coach DPI Adaptive Boxing Club

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