Boxing

Boxing’s deep roots in history are evident in the famous fresco of the two young boxers found in Santorini Island, circa 1,600 B.C. At the ancient Olympic Games, Greek boxers used thongs of soft leather to bind their hands and forearms for protection. In the days of Roman Gladiators, the sport became barbaric and often fatal. Boxing disappeared for about 2,000 years until it was resurrected in England. Modern boxing owes a lot to the Marquis of Queensbury, who, in the 1860s, drew up a set of rules that made boxing a safer sport – including mandatory padded gloves.

Boxing has been an Olympic sport since 1904 and was on the first Pan American program in 1951. Head guards became compulsory at the 1984 Olympic Games in Los Angeles. An electronic scoring machine to make officiating more objective was also introduced in 1992. Only blows registered within one second by at least three of five judges are now taken into account.

Boxers compete against opponents in the same weight class in a raised ring that is 6.1m square. Bouts consist of four two-minute rounds, with a one-minute rest between rounds. Boxers attempt to land blows above the waist. Five judges count both the blows and the fouls committed. Fouls include hitting below the belt, tripping or kicking, using the ropes to help attack or passively defending.

If, as a result of a blow, a boxer is unable to continue after ten seconds, his opponent wins. Otherwise, the bout resumes after eight seconds (a standing eight count). Three standing eight counts in a round or four in the bout against one of the boxers automatically ends the bout. If the bout lasts four rounds, the judges’ scores determine the winner.

Athletes

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  • ChrisCross

    ChrisCross - 7 months, 3 weeks ago

    I'm da next Lennox

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