What is boxing?

Boxing, sport, both amateur and professional, involving attack and defence with the
fists. Boxers usually wear padded gloves and generally observe the code laid down in
the Marquess of Queensberry Rules. Matched in weight and skill, boxing competitors
attempt to deliver hard, often punching blows with their fists, each attempting to avoid
the opponent's blows. A boxer wins a match either by outboxing the opponent (points
may be scored in various ways) or by rendering the opponent unable to continue the
match. Fights range from 3 to 12 rounds, each round typically lasting three minutes.

The terms pugilism and prizefight in modern usage are virtually synonymous with
boxing, although the former term indicates the sport's ancient origins in its derivation
from Latin pugil, "a boxer", related to Latin pugnus, "fist" and derived in turn from
Greek pyramidus, "with a clenched fist". The term prize fighting emphasizes the pursuit
of sport for monetary gain, which began in England in the 17th century.

History

Early years

Boxing first appeared as a formal Olympichttps://www.britannica.com/sports/Olympic-

Games event at the 23rd Olympiad (688 BC), but fist fights must certainly have had
their origins in human prehistory. The earliest visual evidence for boxing appears in
Sumerian reliefs from the 3rd millennium BC. A relief sculpture from Egyptian
Thebeshttps://www.britannica.com/place/ancient-Egypt ( c. 1350 BC) shows boxers and
spectators. The few extant depictions from the Middle East and Egypt are of bare-fisted
contests with at most a simple band supporting the wrist; the earliest evidence for the
use of gloves or hand coverings in boxing is a carved vase from Minoan
Cretehttps://www.britannica.com/place/Crete ( circa 1500 BC) showing helmeted
boxers wearing a stiff plate strapped to the fist.

The Greeks considered boxing to be the most injurious of their sports. An early-century-
BCE inscription praising a boxer states, “a boxer’s victory is won in blood.” Indeed,
Greek literature offers much evidence that the sport caused disfigurement and
sometimes even death. One incredibly bloody fight is recounted by Homer in the Iliad (
c. 675BC ).

By the 4th century BC, the simple ox-hide thongs described in the Iliad had been
replaced by what the Greeks called "sharp thongs," which had a thick strip of hard
leather https://www.britannica.com/topic/leatherover the knuckles that made them
lacerating weapons. Although the Greeks used padding. Gloves for practice, not unlike
the modern boxing glove, these gloves played no role in actual contests. The Romans
developed a glove called the Cesto (basket) which is seen in Roman mosaics and
described in their literature; this glove often had bits of metal or spikes sewn into the
leather. The caestus is an important feature in a boxing match in Virgil's Aeneid (1st
century BC). The story of the match between Dares and Entellus is told majestically in
this passage from the article on pugilism in the 11th edition of Encyclopædia
Britannica

Roman boxing took place in both the sporting and gladiatorial arenas. Roman soldiers
often boxed each other for sport and as training for hand-to-hand combat. Gladiator
boxing contests usually ended only with the death of the losing boxer. With the rise of
Christianity and the concurrent decline of the Roman Empire, pugilism as entertainment
seemingly ceased to exist for many centuries.

The era of knuckles

The history of boxing resumes with a formal bout recorded in Britain in 1681, and by
1698 they were being held at the Theatre Royal in London. Fighters performed for
whatever they agreed to, plus stakes (side bets), and admirers of the combatants bet on
the results. These matches were fought without gloves and, for the most part, without
rules. There were no weight divisions; thus, there was only one champion, and lighter
men were at an obvious disadvantage. Rounds were designated, but a match was usually
fought until one participant could no longer continue. Wrestling was permitted, and it
was common to fall on an enemy after knocking him to the ground. Until the mid-18th
century, it was also common to hit a man when he was down.

Although boxing was illegal, it became quite popular, and by 1719 the boxer James
Figg had so captured the public's imagination that he was acclaimed champion of
England, a distinction he held for some 15 years. One of Figg's pupils, Jack Broughton,
is credited with taking the first steps toward boxing's acceptance as a respectable
athletic endeavor. Broughton, one of the greatest professional boxers in history, devised
the first rules of the modern sport in 1743, and those rules, with only a few minor
changes, governed boxing until they were superseded by the more detailed rules of the
London Prize Ring in 1838. Broughton is said to have sought such regulations after one
of his opponents died as a result of his fight-related injuries.

Broughton discarded the bar techniques his predecessors favored and relied primarily on
his fists. While grappling was still permitted, a boxer could not grab an opponent below
the waist. Under Broughton's rules, a https://www.britannica.com/sports/round-
boxinground continued until one man fell; after 30 seconds he had to face his opponent
(face off), at a distance of no more than one yard (about a metre), or be declared beaten.
Punching a downed opponent was also forbidden. Recognized as the "Father of
Boxing", Broughton attracted pupils to the sport by introducing "silencers", the
precursors of modern boxing. Gloves, to protect the fighter's hands and the opponent's
face. (Ironically, these protective devices would prove in some ways to be more
dangerous than bare fists. When boxers wear gloves, they are more likely to aim for
their opponent's head, whereas when fighters use their bare hands, they tend to aim for
softer targets to avoid injuring their hand. Therefore, brain damage associated with
boxing can be traced in part to the introduction of the padded boxing glove.)
After Jack Slack beat Broughton in 1750 to claim the championship, fixed fights (fights
in which the outcomes were predetermined) became common, and boxing again
experienced a period of decline, although there were exceptions: the pugilists Daniel
Mendoza and John Jackson were great fighters of the late 18th century. Mendoza
weighed only 160 pounds (73 kg), and his fighting style therefore emphasized speed
over brute strength. Jackson, who eventually defeated Mendoza to claim the
championship, contributed to the transformation of boxing by interesting members of
the English aristocracy into the sport, giving it a degree of respectability. During the
early to mid-19th century, some of the greatest British champions, including Jem
Belcher, Tom Cribb, Ben Caunt and Jem Mace, came to symbolize ideals of manliness
and honor for the English.

After the British Pugilists' Protective Association initiated the London Prize Ring Rules
in 1838, the new regulations quickly spread throughout Britain and the United States.
First used in a championship fight in 1839 in which James ("Deaf") Burke lost the
English title to William Thompson ("Bendigo"), the new rules provided for a 24-foot
(7.32-meter) square ring enclosed by two ropes. When a fighter fell, the round ended,
and he was helped to his corner. The next round would begin 30 seconds later, with
each boxer required to reach, unassisted, a mark in the center of the ring. If a fighter
could not reach that mark at the end of the additional 8 seconds, he was declared the
loser. Kicking, booting, headbutting, biting, and low blows were all declared fouls.

The Regency era of England was the peak of British boxing, when the bare-knuckle
boxing champion in Britain was also regarded as the world champion. Britain's only
potential rival in pugilism was the United States. Boxing was introduced to the United
States in the late 18th century, but began to take hold there only around 1800 and then
only in large urban areas such as Boston, New York City, Philadelphia, and to some
extent New Orleans. Most of the fighters who fought in the United States had emigrated
from England or
Irelandhttps://www.britannica.com/place/Irelandhttps://www.britannica.com/place/
England; because boxing was regarded as Britain's national sport, there were few
American-born fighters of the time.

Boxing's hold on the British imagination is evidenced by the many idioms borrowed
from pugilism that entered the English language during this period. Phrases such as
draw to zero (to meet requirements), start from zero (to start again from the beginning)
and not up to the mark (not up to the necessary level) refer to the line that was drawn on
the dirt to divide the ring. At the start of each round both boxers were required to put
their toes against the line to show that they were fit enough for the fight. If they were
unable to do so, they were said to be unable to draw to zero, or to the mark. The term
draw, meaning a drawn score, is derived from the stakes that held the rope surrounding
the ring: when the bout was over, the stakes were "drawn" from the ground, and
eventually the purpose of pulling down the ropes came to stop for the finale. From an
unfinished fight. Moreover, these bets were also the basis behind the monetary
meaninghttps://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/monetary of betting. In early
prize fights, a bag of money, which would go to the winner of the fight, was hung from
one of the stakes, hence high stakes and stake money. As for the ropes held by the
stakes, being on the ropes connotes a defensive stance against an aggressive opponent.
And any point of contention in an argument is referred to as a knockout blow, and a
beautiful woman as a knockout blow.

Boxing rules

At its core, boxing may be the oldest sport in the world. At its most basic it is fighting
and for as long as there has been man, there has been conflict. It is certainly at least as
old as 688 BC when it was included in the ancient Olympic Games, although codified
and more regulated versions of boxing date back to around 1500. That said, carvings
dating back to the 3rd millennium BC show people fighting with their fists in front of an
audience, so it is safe to say that the art of pugilism is an ancient fact.

More modern rules have included the Broughton Rules of 1743, the London Prize Ring
Rules (1838) and the better-known Marquess of Queensbury Rules dating from 1867.
At its best, boxing is elegant, explosive and a magnificent example of humanity. Body
skills and some showmanship can match the sight of two top heavyweights going back
and forth.

Object of the game

In a brutal way, the object of boxing might be stated as to shock your fellow man; a less
barbaric sounding aphorism, to hit and not be hit, may be a preferred way of looking at
it, depending on your point of view.

Players and Team

The exact specification of certain equipment varies according to the sanctioning body,
but the ring (ironically, of course, usually square in shape) is generally around 16-25
feet (4.9-7.6m) along each side. The corner posts are 5 feet above the level of the ring
and the ring itself is usually about three or four feet off the ground on a raised platform.
Boxers wear gloves and although there has been a long history of bear-knuckle boxing,
hand protection dates back to Ancient Greece. Modern gloves are typically 12oz, 14oz
or 16oz and are designed to protect the hand and the opponent, although there are
arguments to claim that they actually increase brain injuries by making it easier for a
boxer to land more damaging blows.

Boxers are divided according to their weight with the different governing bodies having
different weights and names for the groups. Fighters only fight opponents of similar
weights as physical size is so crucial to competition.

Score

At the professional level, bouts are scored by three ringside judges using a subjective
method based on which boxer they felt won each individual round. If the match is not
decided by knockout, retirement, or disqualification, the judges' scorecards will be used.
If all three judges agree, the decision is unanimous, while if two think a fighter won, it
is a split decision. If two judges score the fight level, or one does and the other two are
split, the fight is scored as a draw.

However, it is more common for a fight, especially at the heavier weights, to be stopped
before 12 rounds are over. A boxer is knocked out if he is down and unable to get up
within 10 seconds, while the referee can disqualify a fighter for certain foul play. The
other method of winning is by technical knockout, or TKO. If a boxer is unwilling to
continue, or is deemed unable to do so by the referee or his corner team or medical staff,
then it is a TKO. This can also be awarded if a fighter is knocked down a defined
number of times in a round (usually three).

Winning the game

The winner is as scored by the judges whether the fight goes the distance or is decided
by knockout, technical knockout or disqualification, as detailed above.

In amateur fights, different methods are used, for example, the referee may simply
decide or the ringside judges use electronic scoring to count the number of blows
received.

Specific Boxing Rules

 In professional boxing, fights take place over 12 three-minute rounds with one
minute rest between rounds.
 The only method of attack is to strike with a closed fist and you cannot strike below
the belt, on the kidneys or on the back of the head or neck of your opponents.
 You cannot use the ropes for leverage.
 You can't hit an opponent when they are down.
 A boxer hit with a low blow may take five minutes to recover.
 If an unintentional foul (such as a clash of heads) ends the fight before four rounds
are completed, this is a "no contest", from the fifth onwards the decision goes to the
judge's cards and is a technical decision for the fighter or Technical Drawing.

The events that occur before the fight.

How to prepare

Thirty minutes to an hour before class, eat a light meal or carbohydrate snack, such as
beans or sweet potatoes and fruit or juice. Try to drink at least 22 ounces of water in the
two hours before class begins.

Boxing is a high-intensity, full-body workout, so you'll want to book a class on a day

when you're fully rested. You don't want to take boxing the day after a brutal HIIT
session.

Most boxing instructors will expect you to wear hand wraps in class to protect your
wrists and knuckles. Trust us, you want to protect yourself while you're hitting the bag.
Many gyms sell wraps that will cost you between $5 and $10, but call ahead to confirm
that the studio has wraps for you to purchase. You'll also need boxing gloves. Most
studios have gloves you can wear to class, but if you become a regular, you may want to
purchase your own pair.

What to wear

When deciding what to wear to a boxing class, the most important consideration is
choosing clothing that will stay in place. For the majority of the class, you'll be wearing
boxing gloves, which makes it nearly impossible to tug and pull on ill-fitting workout
clothes. The ideal outfit is something you've worn several times before and know will
stay put no matter how much you move and sweat.

Cool, breathable, wicking fabrics are best because you'll be sweating a lot. In addition to
throwing punches, you'll be jumping rope, squatting, and doing burpees, so you'll want
pants that don't ride up. It's also a good idea to bring a workout headband to keep your
hair in place during class.

There are a few options when it comes to footwear. You can purchase boxing shoes that
have a soft base, low heel and ankle support, all of which are ideal for the type of work
you'll be doing in this class. However, it might be best to wait to make sure this workout
is for you before investing in equipment, as boxing shoes can cost anywhere from $80
to $250.
Cross trainers are a good alternative because they have similar features to boxing shoes.
Sneakers are not ideal because they have a thick sole that can make twisting and turning
difficult. They also don't provide much lateral support.

What to bring

Working up a good sweat is a given in a boxing class, so keep that in mind when
packing your gym bag. Bring a large bottle of water to stay hydrated during class and
pack a towel.

Try to avoid wearing makeup to class. If you're going straight from work, pack makeup
remover wipes and come in with a clean face. With boxing wraps and gloves on, you
won't be able to wipe your eyes if mascara or eyeshadow drips into them.

When you arrive

For your first class, you'll want to arrive at least 15 minutes before the start time. If the
receptionist or instructor doesn't ask, tell them it's your first time. The instructor can
help you wrap your hands and show you around the studio. Don't underestimate the time
it will take to learn how to wrap your hands properly! The fact that the instructor knows
you're new to the activity allows them to keep an eye on you throughout the class and
possibly provide additional support.

Tell the instructor if you have any injuries or physical limitations so that they can help
you with modifications and let you know when you are about to instruct the class on an
exercise that may be painful for you.

Many boxing studios have five to 50 heavy bags hanging, which can seem intimidating.
Try to choose a spot near the center of the training area. Instructors typically move
around during class, but demonstrate exercises and combinations in the center of the
room, rather than at the front.

Before class starts, you'll want to do some dynamic stretches. Boxing is a full-body
workout, so be sure to stretch your legs, arms, and back.

What to expect

Boxing gyms range from polished and upscale to gritty and rough around the edges.
Any type of studio will provide a great workout and the vibe of the studio should match
your personal taste.

Most boxing classes are 60 minutes long and structured into three “rounds” that include
an intense cardio warm-up, boxing with intervals of bodyweight and core exercises. All
three rounds are challenging; a boxing weight class can burn between 500 and 1,000
calories per hour. The boxing round is typically done with a heavy bag or shadow
boxing, and you won’t actually be fighting anyone.

What to do next
Take a few minutes after class to stretch and cool down. Rehydrate by drinking another
22 ounces of water slowly. Eat some protein, such as a protein shake, nuts, grilled
chicken, or quinoa, to help your body recover.

If you fall in love with boxing, wait at least a day or two before taking another class.
Beginners should only take two to three classes per week. You should also space out
any high-intensity workouts and opt for a restorative or low-impact class the day after
boxing.

Boxing psychology

Mental toughness in boxing

"Either you have it or you don't" "it's all in the mind"

These are common phrases found in boxing when it comes to the psychology of
athletes.

It is a fact that mental strength is important for boxing performance, but how many of
you train to improve your psychological sports performance?

It's a brutal sport, you don't want to shy away from it. The goal is to hit your opponent
until they can't hit you anymore.

However, it is also a sport that requires not only immense physical strength and
endurance, but also discipline and control, and the ability to think tactically and
strategically while under pressure.

So in some ways, I guess it’s not so different to other sports after all. People will tell
you that boxing is 80% mental. …or maybe 90% mental. …or 95% mental…. The
bottom line is that no one would question that boxers have to be mentally tough.. but
what exactly is mental toughness and how can sports psychology help boxers develop
it?

Mental toughness defined:

Athletes, coaches and sports psychologists have defined mental toughness¹ as the
psychological advantage that allows you to:

 Confront the multiple demands (competition, training, lifestyle) that sport

imposes on an artist better than your opponents.

 Be more consistent and better than your opponents by staying determined,

focused, confident and in control under pressure.

How can sports psychology help boxers?

So, to be a boxer and play sports, you probably already have some of the qualities of a
typically "mentally strong" athlete. If you are successful, you are very likely to have
many of those qualities.

One of the obstacles I've encountered as a practitioner (and this goes beyond boxing) is
the idea that I'm going to try to get athletes to do something radically different, mess
with their heads, or that You're already strong enough, so what the heck can a
psychologist do to help?

Well, a psychologist can work with athletes to enhance the skills/qualities they
already have, to guide and empower them to make changes where they feel
appropriate, and perhaps to equip them with the skills and techniques to be able to do
so.

Mental toughness encompasses a number of different qualities and attributes. I have

just picked out a few ways that sports psychology could help boxers develop their
mental toughness...

1. Dealing with demands

The world's best athletes experience nerves before competition. Nerves can take
different forms, such as the physical sensations of "butterflies" in the stomach or the
nagging thoughts and doubts that can arise at any moment; minutes, hours, weeks
before a fight.

It's how athletes handle and interpret those nerves that can make the difference
between being good and being okay. For example, you might think that having
butterflies is a sign that you're really nervous, or you might think of them as a sign that
your body is ready for competition.

Being able to recognize these nerves (both when they are helpful and when they are not)
and knowing what to do with them helps make the boxer mentally tough.

Key techniques

Short term: Relaxation, centering, counteracting negative thinking.

Long-term development: applied relaxation, development of a "calm mind"

2. Concentration / Focus

No one “loses” focus. It doesn’t go anywhere. It’s just that we sometimes focus on the
wrong things at the wrong times. Studies show that when athletes are physically tired
(for example, between rounds), they are more likely to focus on catching their breath
and therefore miss important instructions given to them by a coach.

Professor Andy Lane suggests that boxers also need to develop a rather unique mindset
where they can produce maximum effort, but can also think calmly and tactically.
Developing concentration skills and the ability to ‘shift’ focus from here and now
(needed during rounds) to what comes next (needed between rounds) is therefore an
important mental skill for boxers².

Key techniques

Short term: Concentration styles, imagery/mental rehearsal, focusing.

Long-term development: concentration training, concentration under fatigue

3. Discipline

What makes one athlete get up and go for a run, while another stays in bed for an extra
half hour? What makes one athlete stick to his diet, while another has just one day off?

What makes one athlete push for that extra minute on the treadmill, while another pulls
away?

Discipline is obviously important both in and out of the ring, and the mentally strong
athlete is the one who can motivate himself to do whatever it takes to gain that vital
advantage over his opponent.

Key techniques

Short term: performance profile, goal setting

Long-term development: Mindfulness

Coach participation

For most of the psychological skills and techniques mentioned above, the coach/trainer
can play a vital role.

Coaches should be involved from the beginning. Communication between coach and
athlete can be improved if the coach is involved in the profiling and goal creation
process, and the coach should also play an important role in reinforcing the use of
relaxation, imagery, and concentration skills in the training/coaching environment.

Edge Sports Psychology

Athletes are constantly looking for the smallest advantage over their opponents. When
two athletes are matched in terms of skills and physical attributes, it is the athlete who is
more confident, who can use pressure to their advantage, who has been disciplined in
their training and can focus on the right things at the right time – the athlete who has the
mental edge – that, more often than not, will come out on top.

Ask yourself, what does it take?

When I sit down with an athlete for the first time, I like to start by getting them to think
about what it takes to become an elite player in their particular sport.

What does it take to be the best?

If your goal is to be a solid amateur boxer, what are you really going to take?

If your goal is to be a world champion, what are you going to take?

Regardless of what level you are boxing at, or where you want to get to, we can
generally break down “what it takes” into four main areas: tactical awareness, technical
ability, physical strengths, and mental strengths.

How strong are your corners?

In my experience, these are the four pillars that every athlete needs to move towards
success. But if I asked you how much time you spent working on each of them, what
would you say?

I assume you spend a lot of time and effort in the gym or running, working on
developing strength and endurance. You probably spend a fair amount of time in the
ring, developing your technique.

And I guess you maybe study your opponents, or at least have some kind of tactical plan
before you enter the ring to fight?
So you probably have three very strong corners to build success around. But what about
that fourth corner? What about the mental aspects of boxing? How much effort do you
put into developing your mental strengths?

The mind of the fighter

Depending on who you ask, you might hear that boxing is 80% mental... or maybe 90%
mental... I've even heard that 95% is mental, although that might be pushing it a bit!

The fact is that no one can deny that boxers have to be mentally tough, but many
athletes (and their coaches and trainers) devote most of their time and effort to the
tactical, technical and physical aspects of the sport, and they simply hope that they
somehow develop mental toughness.

They think their houses will be left with only three strong corners. In fact, something I
often hear from athletes and coaches when we talk about the mental side of boxing is
that “you either have it or you don’t!” Many athletes will agree that mental toughness is
vital, but when it comes down to it, it's just something you either have or you don't.

Train your brain

But here's the thing. We know from experience working with boxers at all levels, and
from years of research with athletes from all types of sports, that training the mind
and body can make a major difference in an athlete's performance.

Boxers can develop and build their mental toughness through various mental training
techniques.

You can improve your ability to stay relaxed and loose when the adrenaline is pumping.
You can learn how to make sure your confidence stays with you when you need it most.

You can train your brain to stay focused in the face of distractions. And just like you
can get stronger and faster with physical conditioning, you can get better and better at
all of these things (and more) with mental conditioning.

Practice makes perfect

Are you willing to put in the time and effort to develop these skills? If you don't train
for strength or speed, you're unlikely to get faster or stronger.

The same goes for training your brain. If you don't practice and develop skills like
relaxation, visualization, or focus, you won't get better at it. If you want to be the best
you can be, you'll have to take care of all four corners if you want your house to stand.

The next round

In the following Boxing Psychology article, our Boxing Science authors will highlight
the importance of preparation and how to best apply it to give your boxing performance
the edge.
And finally, I will tell you a little about the techniques and some of the most
influential boxers and their styles.

Ring, rules and equipment.

Because there is no universally accepted world governing body for professional boxing,
each country has its own set of rules, and in the United States different rules exist in
different states. Generally, bouts take place in a "ring" that is 18 to 22 feet (5.5 to 6.7
meters) square and surrounded by four ropes of rope. Professional
https://www.britannica.com/sports/bout-boxingfights may be scheduled to last from
four to 12 three-minute rounds in length, although two-minute rounds are commonly
used in women's fights and in some fights held in Britain. Since the late 1920s,
professional championship bouts traditionally lasted 15 rounds, but by the late 1980s,
the WBC, WBA, and IBF championships were all scheduled for 12 rounds.

The referee is stationed inside the ring with the boxers and regulates the fight. In some
jurisdictions the referee He scores the contest along with two judges outside the ring. In
most jurisdictions, however, the referee is not involved in the judging, and three
ringside officials score the bout. The officials award points to each boxer for each
round, and a boxer must win on two of the three scorecards to earn a victory decision. In
https://www.britannica.com/sports/ancient-Greek-Olympic-GamesOlympic fights five
judges score the fight electronically by pressing a button each time a punch is deemed to
have landed on a boxer. No punch is recorded as a punch unless at least three judges
press their buttons within one second of each other. Padded gloves , which weigh
between 8 and 10 ounces (227 and 283 grams) in weight, are worn by the boxers.

A fight ends in a knockout when a boxer is knocked down and cannot get up for the
count of 10. A fight may be stopped by technical knockout (TKO) when the referee (and
sometimes the ringside doctor) deems that a boxer is unable to adequately defend
himself, when a boxer is deemed to have suffered a serious injury, or when a boxer or
his seconds decide that he must not continue. A bout may also end in a decision when
the bout has gone through the scheduled number of rounds and the scoring officials
decide the winner. Several conditions can cause a bout to end in a draw: all three judges
giving identical scores to the two contestants results in a draw, as does two of the three
judges giving the opponents identical scores regardless of the third judge's score; also,
two of the three judges giving the decision to opposing contestants and the third judge's
scorecard being split evenly between the opponents leads to a draw. In a "no contest,"
the fight is declared void due to a premature and inconclusive ending, such as one of the
participants being unable to continue due to a cut caused by an accidental clash of heads
early in the fight. A fight can also end in disqualification.

The rules governing amateur boxing are similar in the United States, Britain, and
continental Europe, but differ substantially from those governing professional boxing.
Amateur fights typically last three rounds, and boxers wear protective headgear.
Olympic fights changed from three three-minute rounds to four two-minute rounds for
the Sydney Games in 2000. The referee only oversees the boxing, while three to five
ringside judges score the bout. The rules are also more strictly enforced in amateur
boxing, and disqualification is more common than in professional boxing.

Techniques

Effective offense depends on the ability to throw punches quickly and place them
strategically to penetrate the opponent's guard. Defensive tactics include parrying or
deflecting punches with raised arms and gloves, evasively moving the head up and
down ("bobbing") and from side to side ("weaving"), and bending or twisting the head
and upper body away from the punch. Path. Footwork is important for both attack and
defense. The two generally recognized stances are "orthodox" and "southpaw." The first
has the left hand and left foot forward, the right hand and right foot forward - the foot or
hand that is forward is known as the advantage. Boxers who use orthodox stances are
normally right-handed and rely on that hand for power, using the left hand for punching
and hooking; the opposite is true of southpaw boxers, who are usually southpaws. In
either stance, the front hand is extended forward in front of the body and the other hand
is held close to the chin for protection, the chin is tucked into the chest and the
shoulders are hunched. There are individual variations.

There are four basic punches: jab , hook, uppercut, and straight right (straight left for a
southpaw), which is sometimes referred to as "" All other punches are modifications of
these basic punches. The jab, whether thrown from an orthodox or southpaw stance, is a
straight punch delivered with the lead hand, moving directly from the shoulder. The
hook , also delivered with the lead hand, is a short lateral swing of the arm and fist, with
the elbow bent and wrist twisted inward at impact. The suppercut is an upward punch
delivered from the direction of the toes with both hands. The straight right or left is
thrown at shoulder level with the rear hand, usually as a follow-up to a punch from the
other hand.

Styles

In full-body fighting, the emphasis was on punching power, as bouts usually ended only
when one participant was unable to continue. Hands were held in front of the body in no
particular position, and footwork was virtually non-existent. With the advent of padded
gloves and contests decided by points, boxing skills and footwork became more
important. James J. Corbett was the first modern heavyweight to concentrate on
technique. Ten years after Corbett lost the title, heavyweight champion Jack Johnson
proved that he could box and punch, too. Heavyweight champion Jack Dempsey
enjoyed tremendous popularity because he was an aggressive fighter with an explosive
assault. Dempsey fought by ducking, flailing, and weaving to leave himself as little
exposed as possible. Heavyweight champion Joe Louis perfected the "stalking" style, a
method of patiently pursuing his opponent until he was within range to deliver
damaging blows.
Until Muhammad Ali, heavyweights were not expected to move quickly. At his peak,
however, Ali was the fleetest and arguably the most skilled heavyweight champion of
all time. He danced around the ring with his arms sometimes hanging at his side, his
legs ready to carry him into punching range or out of harm's way at will. Although Ali
did not possess a devastating jab, his hand speed was extraordinary, and he dominated
many a fight by delivering rapid sequences of punches. Although style remains a matter
of individual choice, swift lateral movement, good defensive head movement,
combination punching, and effective counterbalancing have, to a large extent, become
the most important aspects of modern boxing technique.