Boxing history: appearance, important dates and the best boxers

The history of boxing has its roots in ancient times. Even in Egypt, on relief drawings, in Sumerian caves, the age of which is determined by modern scientists more than two, three millennia BC. E., found images of fisticuffs. During the archaeological excavations in Iraq around the city of Baghdad, ancient images of martial arts were also found. There is ample evidence that even in those days fistfights existed both in ancient Greece and in the Roman Empire.

Boxing: history of origin

In 668, fistfights were included in the Olympic Games in Ancient Greece. From this moment it can be considered that this kind of single combat was recognized as a sport. Fighters could only be free Greeks. Fisticuff fights were very popular, were considered an example of courage, strength, agility, speed. Poets, writers, and statesmen participated in them. For example, everyone known Pythagoras, whose merits are considered a lot of mathematical discoveries, was also an excellent fighter and often participated in wrestling matches.

Rules of ancient fights

The rules of the fighting have evolved over time. In those days it was believed that it was possible to strike only in the head, the arms for protection were wrapped in stripes of leather, the fights were very fierce, to the obvious victory of one of the struggling, and the number of rounds was not specified. Such fighting ended in severe mutilation and death. There is information about the legendary boxing champ of Ancient Greece of those years - Teagene. The history of boxing says that he participated in more than 2,000 battles, and killed 1,800 opponents at the same time.

Over the centuries, soft pieces of leather for the winding of the hands turned to more rigid, and then in them appeared copper and iron inserts. They were used by athletes in the Roman Empire and served not only to protect their hands, but also turned them into formidable weapons. This is how the hands of the fighters were wrapped up in gladiatorial fights.

History of boxing development

The history of modern boxing is closely related to England. This country is the ancestor of this sport. The first written mention of the happened boxing match dates back to 1681. Clear rules were not established in those days, they were agreed in advance before the battle, a judge was appointed, the winner was rewarded from the box office of the battle. No weight and time constraints existed. They fought without gloves, struck their heads, shoulders, legs, elbows. In fact it was a close fight.

Famous James Figg and his student Jack Broughton

In 1719, James Figg and Ned Saton met on the duel. The winner was Figg. And he was given the title of champion. An early title under that name did not exist. At the time of Figg, boxing became even more popular. Champion wrote articles in the public press and talked about boxing techniques of attack and defense. He began to form the first rules. According to them, the soldiers could finish off the enemy in the truest sense of the word, breaking their legs and hands, pressing against their eyes. In the soles of the boots of martial artists, nails were stuck with which they could pierce the opponent's leg during the battle. These were truly horrific spectacles. Figg created the Academy of Boxing in 1722, where he taught this kind of struggle of all comers.

Jack Broughton became a pupil of Figg. In 1743 they were given the first rules of boxing matches. Gloves were introduced for use, competitions began in the ring, the concept of rounds appeared.

Rules of the Marquis of Queensberry

The history of boxing developed over the centuries, undergoing changes. In 1867, new rules were introduced, radically changing the conduct of the boxing match. They were registered in the "Rules of the Marquis of Queensberry." They put strict limits on the actions of the fighters, limited their actions, forbade the use of boots with nails, mandatory rounds were introduced with a time limit of 3 minutes, punches were kicked, elbows, knees, asphyxiation. If the boxer falls, the referee counts to 10 seconds. If during this time the boxer has not risen - the judge can read to him defeat. Touching the knee ring or clinging to the ropes began to be considered the fall of the boxer. Many of these rules still lie at the heart of modern boxing.

The bout between James John Corbett and John Lawrence Sullivan in 1892 is considered the official date of birth of modern professional boxing. Since that moment in the US and other countries began to appear public organizations in boxing. They were renamed many times, although their essence did not change at the same time. It is now called the World Boxing Organization.

History of boxing in Russia

In Ancient Russia they loved to measure their strength, there were also fist fights and hand-to-hand fighting. Many Russian fairy tales mention battles with the heroes Ilya Muromets, Alyosha Popovich and Dobrynia Nikitich. It is a question of their remarkable strength. In real life fights were also held, where martial artists were measured by force with each other, often there were fights "wall to wall", when several people participated at once from each side.

The Orthodox Church did not approve of this kind of entertainment, and hand-to-hand fighting was often banned. Under Ivan the Terrible and later, under Peter the Great, boxing in any case penetrated into the country, interaction with England and its culture could not go in vain. In 1894 Michael Kister published a book on English boxing. July 15, 1895 was the first official duel. It is this date that is considered to be the date of the birth of boxing in Russia.

The best boxers in the history of boxing

Experts often argue among themselves, who of the boxers at what level stands on their merits. The history of boxing has its roots far back in ancient times, so there are a lot of great fighters. Some of them have already been mentioned earlier. If we talk about the modern boxing of 20-21 centuries, then the rating of boxers according to experts is the following.

• Joe Louis. American, he is said to be the best boxer in the world in the history of boxing. He scored 72 wins, and only 3 losses. He was considered a legendary hero and symbol of the country.
• Some truths are inclined to argue with this opinion and argue that the best boxer is Sugar Ray Robinson. For him there are 173 victories, 19 defeats. This wrestler, in addition to having great willpower, perseverance, still sang and danced perfectly.
• Mohammed Ali. 56 victories, 5 defeats. The best boxing fights in history are often attributed to this fighter. Many legendary fights have names. Mohamed Ali, in addition to fighting, participated in the political activities of the country, spoke out against the war in Vietnam. For his activities against the government he was imprisoned. But when he was released, he was again ready for battle.
• Henry Amstrong. 150 wins, 21 defeat. His career was not very successful, but then he drastically climbed the mountain. There was a period in his battles, when he won in 27 fights in a row. This series of victories is recognized as the best in the history of boxing.
• Jack Johnson. 80 victories, 13 defeats. An African American. He possessed a very interesting technique of combat, which opponents could hardly foresee, as a result, over and over again, he won victories one after another for ten years. Jack Johnson was truly the greatest boxer.
• Mike Tyson. 50 victories, 6 defeats. His popularity knows no bounds. This fighter even hit the Guinness Book of Records for the fastest knockout in the world. His power and speed knew no bounds. This fighter was considered truly bloodthirsty. About him goes a huge number of incredible and real stories, for example, about how he bit off the ear to the enemy. Mike Tyson in his life and stole, and was in prison. His personal life also always raged. Three official marriages. Mike Tyson has children from every marriage, as well as two illegitimate children.

This list can go on and on. Many boxers have struck the world with their unprecedented power of will to win and the greatest power.

History of Thai Boxing

There are different directions in boxing: there is a professional, semiprofessional, amateur, French boxing. Currently, at the peak of its popularity in Russia is Thai boxing. Although he reached our country literally at the end of the 20th century. Since then, his rapid development in Russia has gone, there appeared Thai boxing schools, the Thai Boxing Federation. In 1994, trained athletes won three international prizes at international competitions.

Thai boxing is still called free. It allows punches not only with fists in gloves, but also with legs and elbows. Currently considered one of the most brutal martial arts.

The history of Thai boxing began more than two thousand years ago. The Kingdom of Thailand has often had to fight with the conquerors in close combat, and the soldiers were taught the art and tactics of fighting. The first official battle of Thai boxing was held in 1788.

Since 1921, more stringent rules have been introduced for fights. It became necessary to wear gloves, battles began to be held on special rings, from that time the battle began to have a time limit, the punches to the groin were banned , division by weight categories appeared.

And so from the middle of the 20th century, Thai boxing began to spread and win popularity around the world. There were international associations. The world championships in this sport, European championships are regularly held.

Boxing is one of the most expensive sports

The most expensive fight in the history of boxing took place in Las Vegas in May 2015. On the duel came together "two legends," the undefeated Floyd Mayweather, an American, and Manny Pacquiao, a Filipino. The organizers profit from this event about 400-500 million dollars, the prices for some tickets reached 100-150 thousand dollars. This is an approximate amount of profit on official data, what money was earned in this fight in reality - it remains only to guess. Mayuer was offered 120 million dollars, and the Filipino 80 million dollars. In the entire history of boxing, no one has previously been offered such huge fees. The highest paid athlete in the world did not disappoint his fans and scored a confident victory in this match. Although according to many viewers, the fight itself was not very spectacular.

Boxing is not just a sport, for many it's all life!

Boxing for many athletes and spectators is not just a sport, it's a lifetime! In this single combat athletes show the strength of their character, vitality, a great will to win.