History Of Boxing

Historical evidence lead to the fact that boxing was prevalent in North Africa in 4000 BC. It was also popularly played in Greek and Rome.The rules were crude then andboxers often indulged into lethal boxing rounds with leather taped on to their bare hands. It is believed that In Ancient Rome, the boxing fighters were usually offenders and slaves. They played the game to win and gain independence. However, facts also point to free men fighting for competition and the spirit of sport. Eventually, Augustus is known to have banned fighting. It is also said that in 500 A.D. Theodoric banned the sport owing to its popularity and growing distraction caused in public life.
The first signs of documented records take you to the year 1681 in Britain. It is a popular belief that the Duke of Albemarle held a boxing competition between his butcher and butler. The common reason for such matches is believed to be amusement and fun.
Prior to 1866, Jack Boughtonis is credited with establishing a set of rules for boxing. It is said that Jack decided to publish the rules in 1743 after a grisly match with one of his opponents who died during the match. The legend was popularly known as the ‘Father of boxing’.
However, the more recognizable development occurred during a time known as modern era in boxing. In the year 1866, the Marquess of Queensberry consented to a new set of boxing rules. The rules were titled with his name. The new rules introduced limited number of 3-minute rounds. It also banned gouging and wrestling during the match and made gloves compulsory. It took a while for bare-knuckled fights to completely go out of fashion, but there was considerable decrease after the rule was passed. In 1892, James Corbett set this rule straight by defeating the bare-fisted boxer John Sullivan with the new established rules.
Another radical changes in the sport can be traced to Douglass. It was John Douglass who gave birth to the modern day boxing rules way back in 1865. Famous as the ‘Patron Saint’, Douglass has contributed to systematic game of boxing. He made 12 prominent rules, the most significant ones being three-minute rounds and approved standards for boxing gloves.
There was no looking back for the sport during early 1900s. Boxing was on list in the St. Louis games in 1904. Throughout the 20th century, the world witnessed gifted fighters who fought for titles and bestowed the game with world known recognition and popularity. Boxing was heading straight into the 21st century with grace and aplomb.