Boxing is a very popular sport viewed widely across the world. It has transformed itself from a brutal massacre to a highly organized institution of physical agility, strength and technique. Boxing originated in the early 18th century in England. At this time boxing was very different from what it is today. The word boxing had not been developed yet it was actually called bare knuckle fights or fisticuffs.
The bare knuckle fights had no rules and no referee or time limit, so participants would fight until they couldn’t go anymore or someone gave up. Sometimes a fight could go on for hours and no tactic was excluded, so this meant anything went such as choking, kicking, wrestling etc. For many years no one paid any attention to the weight of each participant regardless of who was fighting. Furthermore, professional fighting was only including middle and upper class at the time. This method was also another way to settle any quarrels. As this type of sport blossomed people began to sponsor fighters with money as prizes, some built small arenas and opened schools to teach the “art of self- defense.”
The first boxing champion was James Figg in the year of 1719. Figg was the reason that this sport became so popular due to all of his sparring while traveling around England. In the year 1740 James Figg had died and his protégé would then follow in his footsteps, George Taylor. Before Figg died, in 1734 Jack Broughton had devised a set of rules called the “Broughton Rules”. These rules just explained that it was illegal to eye gouge and hit an opponent while his was on the ground. When Broughton died a lot of these rules were not enforced therefore it became known as the era of “The Double Crosses”.
The next important person in the history of boxing is Daniel Mendoza. The reason why he is so important is because he actually designed a system that focused on both physical and mental strength. This combined things like guarding, sidestepping and using an appropriate left jab. This regained the public’s affection towards the sport. Since he was relying on this system, he won the British championship in 1791.
The bare knuckle fights had no rules and no referee or time limit, so participants would fight until they couldn’t go anymore or someone gave up. Sometimes a fight could go on for hours and no tactic was excluded, so this meant anything went such as choking, kicking, wrestling etc. For many years no one paid any attention to the weight of each participant regardless of who was fighting. Furthermore, professional fighting was only including middle and upper class at the time. This method was also another way to settle any quarrels. As this type of sport blossomed people began to sponsor fighters with money as prizes, some built small arenas and opened schools to teach the “art of self- defense.”
The first boxing champion was James Figg in the year of 1719. Figg was the reason that this sport became so popular due to all of his sparring while traveling around England. In the year 1740 James Figg had died and his protégé would then follow in his footsteps, George Taylor. Before Figg died, in 1734 Jack Broughton had devised a set of rules called the “Broughton Rules”. These rules just explained that it was illegal to eye gouge and hit an opponent while his was on the ground. When Broughton died a lot of these rules were not enforced therefore it became known as the era of “The Double Crosses”.
The next important person in the history of boxing is Daniel Mendoza. The reason why he is so important is because he actually designed a system that focused on both physical and mental strength. This combined things like guarding, sidestepping and using an appropriate left jab. This regained the public’s affection towards the sport. Since he was relying on this system, he won the British championship in 1791.
Bill Richmond, “The Black Terror“, was the first black boxer who crossed over to Britain. He was victorious over several top heavy weights but unfortunately was knocked out by the previous champion Tom Cribb in 1805. Tom Cribb was challenged twice more by another black fighter, Tom Molineaux, in 1810 and 1811 but still won. The only difference was that Molineaux was the first American to challenge a British title. The first American champion was Tom Hyer in February of 1849. This actually took place in America while using the “English prize ring rules”. And finally the first world champion was John C. Heenan in April of 1860. This fight lasted for 37 gruesome rounds.
John L. Sullivan became the next heavy weight champion and remained that way for the following 10 years. Some thought of him as “American’s first true sports hero”.He expertly earned $900,000 during his 10 year career.
The fight that dethroned Sullivan from his 10yr winning streak was with James J Corbett. This fight took place in 1892. It was fought with gloves, prohibited wrestling and the rounds lasted 3 minutes. These rules were called the “Marquise of Queensbury Rules”. These rules are the basis for today’s boxing.
The fisticuff matches of today has had plenty of fighters in and out of the rings. Winning and losing by forfeits, knockouts, and judges watching how many punches are thrown and how many are actually landed. Boxing is now comprised of many different rules. Some examples of these rules are, first, that it only lasts twelve rounds; you cannot wrestle nor strike your opponent in the back of his head; it is open to all those who can win, no matter your “class”. Boxing is separated into sections of weight and there is a league for woman as well.
Boxing has come a long way. Good fighters get paid very well for doing this. It takes a lot of training, the best agility and the fastest speed. Boxing is not just a gruesome fight that never ends anymore. It is considered a sport that has rules and gives many rewards. Many in today’s society enjoy watching and taking part in these fights. It gives entertainment to many and fulfillment to the fighters.
John L. Sullivan became the next heavy weight champion and remained that way for the following 10 years. Some thought of him as “American’s first true sports hero”.He expertly earned $900,000 during his 10 year career.
The fight that dethroned Sullivan from his 10yr winning streak was with James J Corbett. This fight took place in 1892. It was fought with gloves, prohibited wrestling and the rounds lasted 3 minutes. These rules were called the “Marquise of Queensbury Rules”. These rules are the basis for today’s boxing.
The fisticuff matches of today has had plenty of fighters in and out of the rings. Winning and losing by forfeits, knockouts, and judges watching how many punches are thrown and how many are actually landed. Boxing is now comprised of many different rules. Some examples of these rules are, first, that it only lasts twelve rounds; you cannot wrestle nor strike your opponent in the back of his head; it is open to all those who can win, no matter your “class”. Boxing is separated into sections of weight and there is a league for woman as well.
Boxing has come a long way. Good fighters get paid very well for doing this. It takes a lot of training, the best agility and the fastest speed. Boxing is not just a gruesome fight that never ends anymore. It is considered a sport that has rules and gives many rewards. Many in today’s society enjoy watching and taking part in these fights. It gives entertainment to many and fulfillment to the fighters.
This Lead to the boxing we see on TV now, with some of the greatest fighters like, Roy Jones Jr., Bernard Hopkins, Mike Tyson, and Floyd "Pretty Boy" Mayweather.
Just thought I'd talk about something totally different, Everyone have a great summer ;-)
References-
Early Boxing, (01 July 2004)
Hickoksports, 29 April 2007, from
Boxing, (12 August 2001), 29 August 2007, from
Early Boxing, Wikipedia, the free Encyclopedia, 29 August 2007, from
