History of Boxing

In the beginning

The earliest evidence of boxing and combat sports dates back to Egypt around 3000 BC (no, not before covid). The sport was introduced to the ancient Olympic Games by the Greeks in the late 7th century BC, when soft leather thongs were used to bind boxers’ hands and forearms for protection.

ROMAN DEVELOPMENTS

Later, in Rome, leather thongs were exchanged for the cestus – a glove studded with metals of different kinds. Unfortunately this did not help the gladiators involved, as boxing matches of the era usually ended with the death of one or other contestant.

AMATEUR BOXING

With the fall of the Roman Empire, boxing came to an end. It resurfaced in 17th century England, and organised amateur boxing officially began in 1880. Originally there were only five weight classes were contested: Bantam, not exceeding 54 kilos; Feather, not exceeding 57 kilos; Light, not exceeding 63.5 kilos; Middle, not exceeding 73 kilos; and Heavy, any weight.

There is no doubt the art of Boxing, Mixed Martial Arts, Muay Thai and other contact sports has come a long way. With competitors nowadays breaking the art down to a science. It will be interesting what the future brings for this beloved sport.