Eh, I don't know, the reader would have to have a strong enough association between that phrase and boxing that they wouldn't need it telegraphed to them, but I don't feel like your typical reader thinks about boxing enough to make that jump.

You'd still need those panels for context, too. Otherwise it's not obvious this is the start of the fight and the official just laid down the rules.

And if you crop the first two panels and put the explanation at the bottom, suddenly it's an SMBC comic.

@Aqarius the far side is so trippy