Aviva Directory » Sports & Recreation » Combat Sports » Boxing

The topic of this part of our guide is boxing, a combat sport in which two opponents, wearing padded gloves, fight in a ring, aiming to land punches on one another while avoiding being hit. Matches are won by knockout or by scoring more points than the opponent.

Also known as pugilism or prizefighting, boxing has ancient roots—the earliest evidence of boxing dates back to the 3rd millennium BC in Sumerian carvings and Egyptian reliefs. The sport was formalized in Ancient Greece and became an Olympic event in 688 BC. Modern boxing evolved from 16th and 18th-century prizefights in Great Britain, with the introduction of the Marquess of Queensberry rules in 1867, which marked the beginning of the sport as we know it today.

Boxing matches are contested in a ring, with fighters wearing padded gloves. The objective is to outscore the opponent or render them incapable of continuing. Matches are divided into rounds, typically three minutes each, with a one-minute rest period between rounds. The number of rounds can vary, ranging from three in amateur bouts to twelve in professional championship fights.

Boxing styles vary widely, with fighters often categorized as out-boxers, who rely on speed and agility to keep opponents at a distance, or in-fighters, who prefer close-range combat. Techniques include jabs, crosses, hooks, and uppercuts, each serving a strategic purpose in both offense and defense. Footwork, head movement, and defensive maneuvers like blocking and slipping are also crucial components of a boxer's skill set.

In boxing, the corner of the ring is critical. Each fighter has a corner where their team provides advice, medical attention, and encouragement between rounds. The corner can also throw in the towel to stop the fight if they believe their fighter is in danger. The role of the corner team is pivotal, often influencing the match's outcome through strategic adjustments and psychological support.

Amateur boxing, an Olympic sport since 1904, focuses on scoring points through clean, effective punches, with bouts typically consisting of three to four rounds. Protective headgear is often worn, and the emphasis is on safety and skill development. In contrast, professional boxing involves longer bouts, usually up to twelve rounds, with a greater focus on power and endurance. Professional fighters do not wear headgear, and the matches can end in knockouts.

Boxing lacks a single governing body, leading to multiple organizations overseeing the sport. The major professional sanctioning bodies include the World Boxing Association (WBA), World Boxing Council (WBC), International Boxing Federation (IBC), and World Boxing Organization (WBO), each with its own set of rules and champions, contributing to the sport's complexity and diversity.

Boxing has produced such legendary figures as Muhammad Ali, Mike Tyson, Sugar Ray Robinson, Joe Louis, Floyd Mayweather, Jr., Manny Pacquiao, Rocky Marciano, Oscar De La Hoya, Julio César Chávez, and Jack Dempsey, some of them names that are familiar even to people who don't follow the sport.

Topics related to the sport of boxing are appropriate for this part of our guide, with the exception of retail sites, which should be placed in the corresponding Shopping & eCommerce category.

 

 

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