Exhibition Bout

An exhibition fight is a sports match which is not part of a competition but instead serves the function of demonstrating the skills of the participants. In boxing, an exhibition fight normally consists of three to eight rounds. The participants generally wear larger gloves to minimize punch harm or impact on the combatants, headgear, and non-boxing related clothing. Exhibition fights involve opponents exhibiting their skills while usually being friendly and respectful.

Although there is no specific laws pertaining to exhibition bouts, most bookmakers do not accept bets on exhibition fights whereas others do on a match-by-match basis. Exhibition bouts in boxing are not predetermined, although they may be in other sports. This will generally be made clear from the outset via advertising (such as the Harlem Globetrotters of exhibition basketball) or an open secret (such as professional wrestling) that the exhibition is a performance.

Many exhibition fights involve popular current or former world champions, and exhibition bouts are usually carried out for charity purposes or for the public's entertainment. Exhibition fights are usually not listed as having taken place on boxer's career records. In England, such boxers as Jem Mace, Jimmy Wilde and Tommy Farr boxed both official and exhibition bouts at what were called "boxing booths".

In Russia during the early 1890s, aristocrat Mikhail Kister performed at exhibition boxing fights.