The World Video Boxing Association, commonly abbreviated W.V.B.A. or WVBA, is the fictional boxing association which sanctions the matches in the Punch-Out!! series of games. It is a parody of the real-life World Boxing Association. The WVBA was founded in or before the year 1984 (when the Punch-Out!! arcade game debuted) and reached its peak between 1987 and 1990 (when the first home console games were released). It sank into obscurity after 1994, only to resurface in 2009.
Circuits[]
The WVBA is usually composed of three circuits; the Minor Circuit, the Major Circuit, and the World Circuit. In 1994, the WVBA introduced a new Special Circuit for higher-ranking boxers, though it was later retired.
Rules[]
The WVBA is infamous for its unique rules, including the three-knockdown TKO rule, bouts which last only 3 rounds or a single round of unlimited time, and a complete disregard for weight classes. Another is allowing the referee to decide the winner in a decision, leading to "unfair hometown decisions". It is also notorious for its "no illegal moves" rule, turning a blind eye to unorthodox techniques which would be considered illegal in other boxing associations, whether it be kicking, spitting, headbutting, or even the flagrant use of weapons and magic. A common theory is that the WVBA only has these rules:
- Matches are conducted in a square ring enclosed by ropes.
- Anyone can compete, regardless of age, weight, height etc., unlike professional boxing where there are strict weight classes and age restrictions in place to ensure fair competition and safety.
- The boxers must wear padded gloves to protect their hands and reduce the risk of injury to their opponents. Other than this, any attire can be worn.
- If a boxer is knocked down, the referee will begin counting to ten. If said boxer can not return to an upright position in the center of the ring by the time the referee is done counting, the referee will stop the fight and declare the other boxer the winner by KO.
- The three knockdown TKO rule is recognized. Therefore, if a boxer is knocked down three times in the same round, the referee will stop the fight and declare the other boxer the winner by TKO. In real life, while the three knockdown rule is recognized in some jurisdictions, it's not universally applied in professional boxing, and its use can vary from place to place.
- Each fight consists of three 3-minute rounds, or one 3 minute round, unlike professional boxing matches, which are typically scheduled for a specific number of rounds based on the level of the competition (e.g., 10, 12, or 15 rounds for championship fights).
- If the fight does not end in a form of KO within the three rounds, a decision victory is called by the referee.
- If there is only one round, a fight that does not end in a form of KO within three minutes is declared a "time up" and is recorded as a loss for the challenger.
- There are no illegal moves or punches, which means ear claps, headbutts etc. are completely allowed, unlike professional boxing, which has strict rules and regulations, and many moves like ear claps and headbutts are considered fouls and are not allowed.
- When the opponent is knocked down, the other boxer must return to their corner and may not interfere with their recovery.
- The round time is stopped when a boxer is knocked down. Therefore, a boxer cannot be "saved by the bell." In professional boxing, the fighter can be "saved by the bell" if they survive the count and the round ends.
- A victorious challenger takes the defeated boxer's position, whether it's their circuit rank or their title. A defeated challenger may request a rematch or have their rank lowered.
- Once a boxer has become world champion and wishes to retire, they must lose at least three times before being allowed to leave the ring. In professional boxing, retirement decisions are made by the boxer themselves or their management, and there is no requirement to lose a specific number of times.
- A new boxer must progress through the circuits in order, starting with the Minor, then the Major, and finally, the World Circuit.
- To enter the Special Circuit, the Minor, Major, and World Circuits must be cleared with a 4-0 Record. Losing a match does not disqualify a boxer from entering the Special Circuit, but they are required to redo the circuit they lost in until they clear it with an undefeated record. In professional boxing, entering different circuits or competition levels does not typically have specific record requirements.
- Boxers that have at least 100 losses on their record are allowed to wear headgear during sanctioned bouts. In professional boxing, headgear is not typically worn by adult male boxers, regardless of their record.
- Both KOs and TKOs are considered KOs for the purpose of keeping track of a boxer's record. In professional boxing, KOs and TKOs are separate categories in a boxer's record.
- Wins in matches that happened by accident are recorded as a win in the winner's record, but are not recorded as a loss in the loser's record. In professional boxing, accidental matches are not typically recorded in either record.