ALL ABOUT BOXING FROM BEGINNER TO ADVANCE.
HISTORY
The sport of boxing has uncertain origins, but some sources suggest that boxing, in various forms, may have originated in present-day Ethiopia in the sixth millennium BC. When the Egyptians invaded Nubia, they acquired the art of boxing from the local population and introduced it to Egypt, where it gained popularity. Boxing then spread from Egypt to other regions, including Greece, Mesopotamia to the east, and Rome to the north.
TYPES OF BOXING
THERE ARE BASICALLY TWO TYPES OF BOXING AMATEUR AND PROFESSIONAL BOXING.
DIFFERNCE BETWEEN AMATEUR AND PROFESSIONAL
1. Purpose and Motivation
Amateur Boxing: Typically pursued as a hobby or for amateur competitions. Participants often box for personal development, fitness, or as part of amateur tournaments sanctioned by organizations like AIBA (International Boxing Association).
Professional Boxing: Primarily for financial gain and career advancement. Boxers compete in sanctioned bouts where earnings often depend on fight results and popularity.
2. Rules and Regulations:
Amateur Boxing: Governed by stricter rules to prioritize safety, often with shorter rounds and limitations on techniques (e.g., no punches below the belt).
Professional Boxing: Rules may vary by jurisdiction but generally allow for longer rounds and fewer restrictions on punching techniques.
3. Gloves and Equipment
Amateur Boxing: Fighters typically use larger gloves to minimize injury, usually 10-ounce gloves for men and 8-ounce gloves for women.
Professional Boxing: Gloves are typically smaller (e.g., 8-ounce for most weight classes), designed to maximize impact and facilitate knockout punches.
4. Training and Preparation
Amateur Boxing: Often includes structured training but may not require full-time commitment. Emphasis on skill development and conditioning.
Professional Boxing: Involves rigorous training regimes, often full-time, focusing on technique, strength, conditioning, and strategy under professional coaches.
5. Financial Considerations:
Amateur Boxing: Generally non-profitable, with athletes often competing for personal achievement or national representation rather than financial reward.
Professional Boxing: Involves earning potential through fight purses, endorsements, and pay-per-view revenue, making it a career choice for many athletes.
6. Competitions and Recognition:
Amateur Boxing: Competitions include local, national, and international tournaments, with participants representing their countries or clubs.
Professional Boxing Competitions are organized by sanctioning bodies (e.g., WBC, WBA, IBF) with rankings and championship titles at stake, leading to international recognition and fame.
Overall, while both forms of boxing involve skill, discipline, and physical prowess, the distinction lies primarily in the level of competition, rules, equipment, and the athletes' motivations and rewards.
BOXING STYLES
1. Out-Boxer (Boxer-Puncher): Relies on footwork, speed, and technique to maintain distance and score points from the outside. Examples include Muhammad Ali and Floyd Mayweather Jr.
2. Swarmer (Pressure Fighter): Applies relentless pressure, staying close to their opponent to overwhelm with constant punches. Mike Tyson is a classic example.
3. Counterpuncher: Focuses on defense and timing, waiting for the opponent to commit before launching precise counterattacks. Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Juan Manuel Marquez are notable counterpunchers.
4. Slugger (Power Puncher): Relies on strength and knockout power, looking to end fights with powerful punches. Examples include George Foreman and Deontay Wilder.
5. Boxer-Counterpuncher: Combines elements of boxing and counterpunching, utilizing movement to create openings for effective counterattacks. Manny Pacquiao and Sugar Ray Leonard are known for this style.
GOVERNING BODIES
Governing bodies include:
- British Boxing Board of Control (BBBofC)
- European Boxing Union (EBU)
- Nevada State Athletic Commission (NSAC)
Major sanctioning bodies are:
- World Boxing Association (WBA)
- World Boxing Council (WBC)
- International Boxing Federation (IBF)
- World Boxing Organization (WBO)
Intermediate:
- International Boxing Organization (IBO)
Novice:
- Intercontinental Boxing Federation (IBFed)
Amateur:
- International Boxing Association (IBA)
RULES IN BOXING
Rules in boxing are designed to ensure fair competition and the safety of the participants. Here are the main rules:
1. Weight Classes: Boxers compete in specific weight divisions to ensure fair matchups based on size and weight.
2. Ring Dimensions: The standard boxing ring is a square, enclosed area with specified dimensions (usually between 16 to 20 feet per side).
3. Round System: Fights are divided into rounds, typically lasting between 2 to 3 minutes each, with rest periods between rounds (usually 1 minute).
4. Scoring: Judges score rounds based on effective punching, defense, ring generalship, and effective aggression. A 10-point must system is commonly used.
5. Illegal Punches: Certain punches are illegal, including hitting below the belt, the back of the head, or using the elbows, forearms, or shoulders to strike.
6. Fouls: Actions such as biting, head-butting, holding, kicking, or spitting are considered fouls and result in penalties or disqualification.
7. Referee's Role: The referee enforces the rules, ensures fair play, and can stop the fight if a boxer is unable to continue safely (TKO - Technical Knockout).
8. Protective Gear: Boxers must wear mouthguards and boxing gloves (usually 8 to 10 ounces for professional bouts) to protect themselves and their opponents.
9. Counting: If a boxer is knocked down, the referee counts to ten. If the boxer fails to rise and demonstrate readiness to continue, it results in a knockout (KO).
SCORING
Scoring in boxing is based on a system known as the 10-point must system, which is the standard method used in professional boxing matches. Here's how it works:
1. 10-Point Must System: Each round is scored independently by three judges, who award points to the boxers based on their performance during that round.
2. Criteria for Scoring: Judges consider several factors when scoring a round:
Effective Punching: The boxer who lands more clean and effective punches typically earns higher scores.
Defense: Effective defense, such as slipping punches, blocking, and avoiding hits, is also considered.
Ring Generalship: This includes controlling the pace and positioning in the ring, as well as effectively cutting off the opponent's movements.\
Effective Aggression: Aggressive, but controlled, actions that demonstrate a clear intent to engage the opponent can score favorably.
3. Scoring Points:
Winning Round: The winner of a round usually receives 10 points.
Losing Round: The opponent typically receives 9 points, though judges can assign 8 points in cases of clear dominance.
Even Round: If the round is very close and difficult to score, judges may score it 10-10.
4. Totaling Scores: At the end of the fight, the scores from each round are totaled to determine the winner:
Unanimous Decision: When all three judges score in favor of the same boxer.
Majority Decision: When two judges score in favor of one boxer, and the third judge scores a draw.
Split Decision: When two judges score in favor of one boxer, and the third judge scores in favor of the other.
Draw: If the scores are equal after all rounds, the fight is declared a draw.
5. Technical Knockout (TKO) and Knockout (KO): If a boxer is unable to continue (TKO) or is knocked down for a full ten-count (KO), the fight ends immediately with the opponent declared the winner by the referee.