Editing Knockout (section)

==Physical characteristics==
[[File:SingletonBox-knockout.jpg|thumb|A knockout can be characterized by unconsciousness.]]
Little is known as to what exactly causes one to be knocked unconscious, but many agree it is related to trauma to the [[Brainstem|brain stem]]. This usually happens when the head rotates sharply, often as a result of a strike. There are three general manifestations of such trauma:
* a typical knockout, which results in a sustained (three seconds or more) loss of consciousness (comparable to general anesthesia, in that the recipient emerges and has lost memory of the event).
* a "flash" knockout, when a very transient (less than three seconds) loss of consciousness occurs (in the context of a knock-down) and the recipient often maintains awareness and memory of the combat.
* a "stunning", a "dazing" or a fighter being "out on his feet", when basic consciousness is maintained (and the fighter never leaves his feet) despite a general loss of [[awareness]] and extreme distortions in [[proprioception]], balance, visual fields, and auditory processing. Referees are taught specifically to watch for this state, as it cannot be improved by sheer willpower and usually means the fighter is already [[concussion|concussed]] and unable to safely defend themselves.

A basic principle of boxing and other combat sports is to defend against this vulnerability by keeping both hands raised about the face and the chin tucked in. This may still be ineffective if the opponent punches effectively to the [[Celiac_plexus|solar plexus]].

A fighter who becomes unconscious from a [[strike (attack)|strike]] with sufficient [[knockout power]] is referred to as having been ''knocked out'' or ''KO'd'' (''kay-ohd''). Losing balance without losing consciousness is referred to as being ''knocked down'' ("down but not out"). Repeated blows to the head, regardless of whether they cause loss of consciousness, may in severe cases cause [[stroke]]s or [[paralysis]] in the immediacy,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.mmafighting.com/2017/9/8/16279100/boxer-gets-record-22-million-settlement-from-new-york-in-brain-injury-case|title=Boxer gets record $22 million settlement from New York in brain injury case|website=mmafighting.com|date=8 September 2017|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170918064225/https://www.mmafighting.com/2017/9/8/16279100/boxer-gets-record-22-million-settlement-from-new-york-in-brain-injury-case|archive-date=2017-09-18}}</ref> and over time have been linked to permanent [[neurodegenerative disease]]s such as [[chronic traumatic encephalopathy]] ("punch-drunk syndrome"). Because of this, many physicians advise against sports involving knockouts.<ref>{{citation |last1=Lieberman |first1=Abraham |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060515025923/http://www.liebermanparkinsonclinic.com/content/view/48/31/ |archive-date=15 May 2006 |title=Causing Parkinson: Boxing, Brain Injury |date=1 April 2005 |access-date=24 June 2010 |url=http://www.liebermanparkinsonclinic.com/content/view/48/31/}}</ref>