| KOS | Finishes in the ring, for short |
| KOD | Walloped in the ring, for short |
| TKO | Ruling in the ring, for short |
| TKOD | Ousted from the ring, for short |
| IOC | Overlord of the rings, for short? |
| BOXES | Throws punches in the ring for packs of cartridges (5) |
| EATER | Diner finishes in the cafeteria at the corner (5) |
| SAVEDBYTHEBELL | A timely intervention in the ring for one at risk of defeat (5,2,3,4) |
| NONIRON | Pressing unnecessary button, taxi driver finishes in the middle of the day |
| HOLEINONE | Golf: a shot from the tee that finishes in the hole (4,2,3) |
| CHAPEL | Bloke finishes in the civil service (6) |
| TURKEY | Western Asian finishes in the Fosbury flop (6) |
| REVELLER | Carouser, having left bar reeling, finishes in the gutter |
| OTS | Tense finishes in the NFL |
| END | Close finishes in the Medallion Shield |
| SECRETES | Oozes confidence and finishes in the medals (8) |
| AMENDS | Finishes in the morning, thus getting recompense (6) |
| ICES | Finishes in the bakery |
| SHOWS | Finishes in the money, barely |
| MEDALS | Finishes in the top three, say |
