History and development of boxing as a sport

Boxing also known as pugilism, is a combat sport in which two individuals engage in contact using their fists, with or without gloves.

Professional boxing is supervised by a referee and is a series of 1-3-minute intervals called rounds.

Boxing is also an Olympic and contact sport

The winner of a boxing match is declared if one player is disqualified, resigns, is knocked out, or based on judge scorecards.

History of Boxing

Fist fighting depicted in Ancient World

Mesopotamia (3rd millennia) -- relief carvings as sport.

Egypt (2nd millennia) -- hieroglyphics -- as contest and training sport.

Crete (1500-900 B.C.) -- training for youths (men).

Ancient Greece as an Olympic Sport and required training

Records of classical boxing disappeared after fall of Rome when weapons (swords, lances, etc.) became more popular.

C. Evolved in Western Europe after the Age of Enlightenment, at least as a formal sport.

The Modern Sport

A. Broughton's Rules (1743)

Designed to prevent unnecessary death.

ii. Fighter can drop to one knee for 30-second rest.

iii. Some early prohibitions (grasping below the waist, hitting a man when down) prohibited.

iv. First official use of padded gloves.

B. London Prize Ring Rules (1838)

i. Fights now occur in 24' rings surrounded by ropes.

ii. If a fighter is knocked down, he has 30 seconds to rise or fight is over.

iii. Biting, head-butting, and hitting below the belt are fouls

C. Marquees of Queensberry Rules (1867)

i. Drafted because of increased popularity of boxing, as well as number of deaths in the ring.

ii. Twelve rules designed to make the sport more fair.

1. Fair size gloves result in longer bouts.

2. Less emphasis on defense, more on strategy and stance.

D. Prohibition

i. Through the late 19th century, the sport was not always legitimate.

ii. Outlawed after Civil War in the U.S. And after 1870 in much of England because of gambling and fixed fights.

iii. Brawling and wrestling were common techniques.

iv. Queensbury rules and move to legitimize prizefighting resulted in boxing commission and regulating bodies (early 20th century).

IV. Boxing Styles

A. Boxer-Out Fighter

i. Boxer seeks to maintain distance between himself and opponent; fighting with faster, longer range punches and wearing opponent down.

1. Examples include Muhammad Ali, Gene Turney, and Sugar Ray Leonard.

B. Boxer Puncher

i. Well rounded, known as an out-fighter, fights at close range with a combination of technique and power.

1. Examples include Sugar Ray Robinson, Joe Louis and Oscar de la Hoya.

C. Brawler-Slugger

i. Tends to lack finesse and footwork, but makes up in punching power.

1. Examples include John Sullivan, Max Baer, and Sonny Liston.

D. Swarmers/In Fighter

i. Also called pressure fighters, they attempt to stay close to an opponent, throwing intense combinations and uppercuts.

1. Examples include Mike Tyson, Jack Dempsey, and Joe Frazier.

E. Counter Puncher

i. Slippery, defensive fighters who rely on their opponents mistakes to gain the upper hand.

1. Examples include Max Schmeling, Jim Corbett, Evander Holyfield.

F. Combination Styles

i. Truly great fighters are able to change style based on strategy and their opponent.

ii. Often, combination fighters have far more advantage than others due to their ability to change and adapt quickly.

V. Equipment

A. Purpose

i. Boxing involves forceful, repetitive punches and precautions must be taken to prevent damage whenever possible.

B. Wrist Wraps

i. Wrist wraps protect the bones of the hands and the carpal area of the wrist.

C. Boxing Gloves

i. Gloves are required in competition since the late 19th century, although modern gloves are much heavier and padded.

D. Punching Bags

i. Used to practice skills: reflexes and repetitive punching skills.

E. Jump Rope

i. Jumping rope helps to build technique, endurance, and stamina.

F. Medicine Balls

i. Medicine Balls are used in strength training and to improve the strength of abdominal muscles.

VI. Technique

A. Stance

i. Modern stances are substantially different than those of the 19th century

ii. Stances are more upright and guarded; three major stances; updright defense, semi-crouch, and full crouch.

1. Used to protect different parts of the body as well as in offense/defense strategy against an opponent.

B. Punches

i. There are four basic punches in modern boxing:

1. Jab, straight right/left hand, hook, and uppercut.

2. Different combinations (combos) used frequently.

C. Defense

i. There are six major moves a boxer can use to evade or block punches.

1. Slipping, bobbing, blocking, cover up with gloves, clinching, footwork and pulling away.

a. Again, combinations of styles are necessary for professionals.