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Boxing
The early roots of boxing can be traced back to the Olympic Games in Ancient Greece where it was believed that fist fighting was one of the games played by the Gods on Olympus. In Roman times, Boxing became a popular sport where fights were often bloody “fight-to-the-death” battles with boxers occasionally wearing metal-filled leather hand coverings. After the fall of Rome, boxing disappeared and made its return in the 18th century in England as a bare knuckle prize fighting sport. During the industrial revolution, boxing became a favorite sport of the working class. In the beginning, the fights resembled more street fights than modern boxing as the organization of the events was minimal. As popularity grew more rules were put in place. The number of 3 minute rounds became limited, gauging and wrestling were eliminated and gloves became mandatory. Eventually weight classes emerged, which became popular as world championships were held at new weight categories. In the 1920’s, Jack Dempsey became the first boxing hero for the American public and the first to reach world fame and bring boxing to a worldwide audience.
Today, boxing matches consist of a specific number of rounds usually lasting 3 minutes. Amateur fights are 3 rounds while professional fights are 4 to 12 rounds. Boxing rules can vary from country to country and even from state to state. In all boxing however, winners are decided by scoring judges, the referee or by both. A winner can also be decided in the case of a knockout where a match is lost by an opponent who is unable to get up from the floor within 10 seconds. There are currently eight major competitive divisions: flyweight (up to 112 lb/50.8 kg); bantamweight (118 lb/53.5 kg); featherweight (126 lb/57.2 kg); lightweight (135 lb/61.2 kg); welterweight (147 lb/66.7 kg); middleweight (160 lb/72.6 kg); light heavyweight (175 lb/79.4 kg) and heavyweight which is unlimited. .
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