Covers boxing learner's knockout performances (8)

I believe the answer is:

blinders

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'performances' is the definition.
Although both the answer and definition are plural nouns, I don't understand how they can define each other.

'covers boxing learner's knockout' is the wordplay.
'covers' becomes 'blinds' (blind is a kind of cover).
'boxing' indicates putting letters inside ('box' can mean contain, as in to put in a box).
'learner's knockout' becomes 'er' (I can't justify this - if you can you should believe this answer much more).
'blinds' placed around 'er' is 'BLINDERS'.

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