Boxing
Introduction
Boxing is a combat sport where two fighters wearing padded gloves compete
against each other using their fists to strike each other. The objective of the
sport is to knock out the opponent or to score more points than the
opponent. Here are some of the basic rules of boxing. There are many other
intricacies and variations in the sport, including different styles of fighting
and specialized techniques.
History
Boxing first appeared as a formal Olympic event in the 23rd
Olympiad (688 BCE), but fist-fighting contests must certainly have
had their origin in mankind’s prehistory. The earliest visual
evidence for boxing appears in Sumerian relief carvings from the
3rd millennium BCE. A relief sculpture from Egyptian Thebes
(c. 1350 BCE) shows both boxers and spectators. The
few extant Middle Eastern and Egyptian depictions are of bare-
fisted contests with, at most, a simple band supporting the wrist;
the earliest evidence of the use of gloves or hand coverings in
boxing is a carved vase from Minoan Crete (c. 1500 BCE) that shows
helmeted boxers wearing a stiff plate strapped to the fist.
Rules and regulations
Ring: Boxing matches are held in a boxing ring. The ring is actually a square
platform with a raised edge and is usually 16 to 20 feet in size. The corners
of the ring are designated as neutral corners, where fighters retreat during
breaks.
Weight Classes: Boxers are divided into weight classes to ensure fairness
and safety in competition. There are currently 17 weight classes recognized
in professional boxing, ranging from minimum weight to heavyweight.
Essential Rules and Regulations: Boxers must wear gloves, a mouth
guard, and protective headgear during amateur bouts. Professional boxers do
not wear headgear. Boxers are also prohibited from holding, hitting below the
belt, or hitting with the head, elbow, or forearm.
Rounds: A boxing match consists of three-minute rounds, with a one-minute
rest period between rounds. The number of rounds can vary depending on
the level of competition and the sanctioning body.
Referee: A referee is present in the ring to ensure that the boxers follow the
rules and regulations. The referee can stop the fight if a boxer is in danger or
is unable to defend themselves.
Scoring: Boxing matches are scored by judges at ringside, based on the
number of clean punches landed on the opponent. Points are deducted for
rule violations, such as hitting below the belt, hitting after the bell, or head-
butting.
Knockouts: A knockout occurs when a fighter is unable to continue after
being knocked down by their opponent. The referee may also stop the fight if
one fighter is significantly ahead on points or if a fighter is injured.
Knockdowns: A knockdown occurs when a boxer is knocked down by their
opponent, touching the canvas with any part of their body other than their
feet. The fighter has a count of ten seconds to stand back up and continue
the fight.
Weight class and division
There were traditionally eight weight divisions in men’s boxing. More
divisions were added, and professional governing bodies now recognize a
total of 17 weight classes, which had their current names established by the
major boxing organizations in 2015. The upper limits of these classes are
delimited as follow:
Minimum weight, 105 pounds (48 kg)
Light flyweight, 108 pounds (49 kg)
Flyweight, 112 pounds (51 kg)
Super flyweight, 115 pounds (52 kg)
Bantamweight, 118 pounds (53.5 kg)
Super bantamweight, 122 pounds (55 kg)
Featherweight, 126 pounds (57 kg)
Super featherweight, 130 pounds (59 kg)
Lightweight, 135 pounds (61 kg)
Super lightweight, 140 pounds (63.5 kg)
Welterweight, 147 pounds (67 kg)
Super welterweight, 154 pounds (70 kg)
Middleweight, 160 pounds (72.5 kg)
Super middleweight, 168 pounds (76 kg)
Light heavyweight, 175 pounds (79 kg)
Cruiserweight, 200 pounds (91 kg)
Heavyweight, unlimited
There is no universal agreement on weight divisions within women’s
professional boxing, but amateur weight divisions are:
flyweight, not more than 106 pounds (48 kg)
bantamweight, 112 pounds (51 kg)
featherweight, 119 pounds (54 kg)
lightweight, 126 pounds (57 kg)
light welterweight, 132 pounds (60 kg)
welterweight, 141 pounds (64 kg)
middleweight, 152 pounds (69 kg)
light heavyweight, 165 pounds (75 kg)
heavyweight, 179 pounds (81 kg)
super heavyweight, any weight over 179 pounds (81 kg)
