History of Boxing

Early Origins

• Ancient Times:
  • Boxing is one of the oldest sports, with evidence of it dating back to ancient civilizations such as the Egyptians and Greeks.
  • It was part of the ancient Olympic Games in Greece, where fighters used leather straps to protect their hands instead of modern gloves.

Modern Boxing

• 17th-18th Century England:
  • Boxing as we know it began to take shape in England during the 17th and 18th centuries.
  • Early boxing was bare-knuckle, meaning fighters did not use gloves.
  • Rules were minimal, and fights were often brutal and lasted until one fighter could not continue.
• Introduction of Rules:
  • In 1743, Jack Broughton, an English boxer, introduced the first set of boxing rules to make the sport safer.
  • The Broughton Rules included the first version of a boxing ring and banned some dangerous practices.

• Men’s Boxing in the Olympics:
  • Boxing was included in the Olympic Games for men for the first time in 1904 in St. Louis, USA.
• Women’s Boxing in the Olympics:
  • Women’s boxing was added to the Olympics in 2012 in London, England.
  • Before this, women were not allowed to compete in boxing, but the International Amateur Boxing Association (AIBA) approved women’s boxing in 1994.

Organizations

• AIBA (Association Internationale de Boxe Amateur):
  • Founded in 1946, AIBA is the international governing body for amateur boxing.
  • Its headquarters are located in Lausanne, Switzerland.

Boxing Ring Dimensions

Boxing ring sizes can vary depending on the level of competition and the organization. However, here are some common dimensions in meters:

• Professional Boxing: Typically 5.5 to 6.1 meters on each side of the ring (16 to 20 feet).
• Amateur Boxing: Generally about 5.0 to 6.1 meters on each side (16 to 20 feet).
• Recreational or Training Rings: Can be as small as 4.5 meters on each side (14 feet) or up to 7.6 meters (25 feet).

These dimensions refer to the distance between the inside edges of the ropes.

Boxing Ring- Colour of Corner in the front of Supervisor-

• The left hand corner near the supervisor is red.
• The supervisor’s far left corner is white.
• The supervisor’s far right corner is blue.
• The supervisor’s right hand corner is white.

Boxing Gloves

Boxing gloves are essential for protecting the hands of the fighters and their opponents:

Gloves Weight:

Men:

• Light Fly Weight to Light belter weight– 10 Oz
• Belter Weight to super heavy weight – 12 Oz

Women: 10 Oz

The weight of gloves for all women’s weight categories is 10 ounces.

Rules of Boxing

Weight Category in Boxing:

For AIBA (International Boxing Association) competitions, the weight categories for elite and youth men boxers are as follows:

Elite and youth Women boxers (AIBA Weight Categories)-

For the Olympic Games, the weight categories for elite men and youth men boxers are as follows:

Elite and youth Women boxers (Olympic Weight Categories)

Weight Categories for Junior boys and girls boxers–

Duration of a Boxing Bout

1. Amateur Boxing

• Duration: 3 rounds, each lasting 3 minutes.
• Rest Period: 1-minute break between rounds.
• Total Time: 9 minutes of fighting time plus 2-minute breaks, totaling 11 minutes.

Explanation: Amateur boxing matches are typically shorter to encourage fast-paced, technical fighting. The total time includes fighting time and break periods.

2. Professional Boxing

• Duration: Varies by the type of bout.
  • Non-Championship Bouts: 4 to 10 rounds, each lasting 3 minutes.
  • Championship Bouts: 12 rounds, each lasting 3 minutes.
• Rest Period: 1-minute break between rounds.
• Total Time: Up to 36 minutes of fighting time plus breaks.

Explanation: Professional matches can be longer, especially for championship fights. The total time is calculated based on the number of rounds and break periods.

3. Title Fights

• Duration: 12 rounds, each lasting 3 minutes.
• Rest Period: 1-minute break between rounds.
• Total Time: 36 minutes of fighting time plus 11-minute breaks, totaling 47 minutes.

Explanation: Title fights are the longest professional bouts, with a maximum of 12 rounds.

4. Exhibition Matches

• Duration: Varies widely, often shorter than professional bouts.
  • Typical Length: 2 to 6 rounds.
• Rest Period: 1-minute break between rounds.
• Total Time: Varies depending on the number of rounds.

Explanation: Exhibition matches are less formal and may have a more flexible schedule.

5. Olympic and Major Tournaments

• Duration: 3 rounds, each lasting 3 minutes.
• Rest Period: 1-minute break between rounds.
• Total Time: 9 minutes of fighting time plus 2-minute breaks, totaling 11 minutes.

Explanation: Olympic and major tournaments follow amateur rules, with a set duration for the bouts.

Summary Table

Safety Equipment

1. Boxing Gloves

• Purpose: Protects the hands and reduces the impact on opponents.
• Types: Training gloves, sparring gloves, competition gloves.

2. Hand Wraps

• Purpose: Provides support to the hands and wrists, prevents injuries.
• Types: Traditional wraps, Mexican-style wraps, gel wraps.

3. Mouthguard

• Purpose: Protects the teeth and reduces the risk of jaw and dental injuries.
• Types: Boil-and-bite, custom-made.

4. Headgear

• Purpose: Reduces the risk of head injuries and cuts.
• Types: Sparring headgear, competition headgear.

5. Groin Protector (Cup)

• Purpose: Protects the groin area from accidental strikes.
• Types: Suspensor, jockstrap with cup.

6. Boxing Shoes

• Purpose: Provides support, stability, and grip during movement.
• Features: Lightweight, ankle support, non-slip soles.

7. Shin Guards (for certain forms of boxing)

• Purpose: Protects the shins during training.
• Types: Standard shin guards, padded shin guards.

8. Body Protector

• Purpose: Protects the torso from impacts during training.
• Types: Training vests, padded body shields.

9. Elbow and Knee Pads (rarely used)

• Purpose: Provides protection for the elbows and knees.
• Types: Padded elbow guards, knee guards.

10. Hand Grips

• Purpose: Provides extra grip and support.
• Types: Grip-enhancing products, gym chalk.

Scoring system in Boxing

Judges: A panel of judges scores the bout based on effective punching, ring generalship, defense, and clean hits.

Scoring: A 10-point must system is used where the winner of the round receives 10 points and the loser gets 9 or fewer.

Decision Types:

• Unanimous Decision: All judges agree on the winner.
• Split Decision: Two judges favor one fighter while the third judge favors the other.
• Majority Decision: Two judges favor one fighter and the third judge scores it as a draw.
• Draw: The judges score the bout as a tie.
• Technical Knockout (TKO): Referee stops the fight if a fighter is unable to continue.
• Knockout (KO): A fighter is knocked down and unable to rise before the count of 10.
• Disqualification (DQ): A fighter is disqualified for breaking the rules.

Types of Fouls in Boxing

1. Low Blow

• Definition: Hitting the opponent below the beltline.
• Penalty: Warning, point deduction, or disqualification for repeated offenses.
• Example: Punching the groin area.

2. Hitting Behind the Head (Rabbit Punch)

• Definition: Punching the opponent at the back of the head or neck.
• Penalty: Warning, point deduction, or disqualification for repeated offenses.
• Example: Striking the area where the skull meets the neck.

3. Hitting After the Bell

• Definition: Throwing a punch after the round has ended.
• Penalty: Warning, point deduction, or disqualification for repeated offenses.
• Example: Punching the opponent after the bell rings to signal the end of the round.

4. Holding

• Definition: Grasping the opponent’s arms, head, or body to prevent punches or create a break.
• Penalty: Warning, point deduction, or disqualification for repeated offenses.
• Example: Clutching the opponent to stop them from punching.

5. Headbutting

• Definition: Using the head to strike the opponent.
• Penalty: Warning, point deduction, or disqualification for repeated offenses.
• Example: Forcing the head into the opponent’s face or body.

6. Elbowing

• Definition: Using the elbow to strike or push the opponent.
• Penalty: Warning, point deduction, or disqualification for repeated offenses.
• Example: Using the elbow to hit the opponent or gain an advantage.

7. Use of Forearm

• Definition: Using the forearm to push or obstruct the opponent.
• Penalty: Warning, point deduction, or disqualification for repeated offenses.
• Example: Using the forearm to block punches or create distance.

8. Punching with an Open Glove

• Definition: Punching with the open part of the glove or hand.
• Penalty: Warning, point deduction, or disqualification for repeated offenses.
• Example: Punching with the open edge of the glove.

9. Spitting Out the Mouthguard

• Definition: Intentionally spitting out the mouthguard to stop the fight.
• Penalty: Warning, point deduction, or disqualification for repeated offenses.
• Example: Removing the mouthguard to get a breather.

10. Kicking or Triping

• Definition: Using the feet to kick or trip the opponent.
• Penalty: Warning, point deduction, or disqualification for repeated offenses.
• Example: Kicking the opponent’s legs or feet.

11. Punching with the Wrist

• Definition: Striking the opponent with the wrist rather than the knuckle part of the glove.
• Penalty: Warning, point deduction, or disqualification for repeated offenses.
• Example: Landing punches with the wrist instead of the glove’s knuckle.

12. Throwing Opponent

• Definition: Physically lifting or throwing the opponent.
• Penalty: Warning, point deduction, or disqualification for repeated offenses.
• Example: Attempting to throw the opponent out of the ring.

13. Biting

• Definition: Using the teeth to bite the opponent.
• Penalty: Immediate disqualification.
• Example: Biting the opponent’s arm or shoulder.

14. Wrestling

• Definition: Engaging in grappling or wrestling instead of boxing.
• Penalty: Warning, point deduction, or disqualification for repeated offenses.
• Example: Trying to force the opponent into a hold or clinch.

15. Unsportsmanlike Conduct

• Definition: Behaving in a manner that is disrespectful or unfair.
• Penalty: Warning, point deduction, or disqualification.
• Example: Taunting, using abusive language, or other disrespectful behavior.

Detailed Examples and Scenarios

Official in Boxing

1 Supervisor-

Supervisor means the person who is appointed to be responsible for all technical and competition related issues.

1 Referee-

Referee” means the person who ensures that all Rules are followed by the Boxers during their Bouts in the ring.

5 Judges-

“Judge” means the person who allocates points during a Bout based on each Boxer’s performance on the ring in respect of the AIBA Technical Rules.