A disqualification (abbreviated DQ) is a term used when a bout is stopped short of knockout or judges' decision because, intentionally, one or both contestants have repeatedly or flagrantly fouled an opponent or violated other rules.
Most disqualifications happen for repeated intentional fouling such as headbutting, low blows, rabbit punches, biting and the like.
However, contestants may be disqualified without warning for particularly egregious conduct such as kicking a downed opponent, hair pulling, or using loaded gloves.
Disqualification occurs solely at the referee's discretion and no fouled contestant is automatically entitled to such a result.
A famous DQ in boxing occurred in the 1997 Holyfield–Tyson II match, when Mike Tyson was disqualified in the 3rd round for biting Evander Holyfield's ears.