History of Boxing
By Gavin Stone
Records of boxing are dated back to the
Summer era of the 3rd millennium BC and
the Egyptian era of the 2nd millennium BC
making it the oldest sport in the history of
time, subsequently fighting with fists the
most natural form of combat to man.
Boxing was not formalized as a sport until it appeared in the
Ancient Olympic games of Greece in 688BC and carried the
name Pygme or Pygmachia. Participants prepared for
contests by striking punching bags called korykos. Fighters
wore leather straps over their hands and wrists.
In Roman times there were two forms of boxing; the
competitive form from the Ancient Olympic Games, and the
much revered and viewed form of the Gladiatorial battled in
the Coliseum. These battles were often a fight to the death,
and were staged as a form of entertainment. In 500 AD boxing
was banned, as it was seen as a form of disrespect to the
gods. However, with the fall of the Roman Empire boxing
remained popular throughout Europe during the Middle Ages.
Pre-industrial England saw a re-emergence in the popularity of
boxing. Man to man combat was still seen as a form of
entertainment; and entrepreneurs, often partnered with bar
owners, staged boxing shows - interestingly this same format
of promotion still remains in modern day boxing. The sport
quickly became known as prize fighting, with fighters
receiving a competition purse and money being wagered by
spectators on bouts. Initially during this period there were no
rules, with no referee or weight divisions, making the sport
quite barbaric and dangerous, also giving it the name
pugilism. Eventually a set of rules were written up by Jack
Broughton in 1743 - recognized as the heavyweight champion
- which came to be known as at London Prize Ring rules.
The London Prize Ring rules were later modified in 1867 and
became known as the Queensberry rules, with significant
changes made such as wearing of padded gloves, and the
introduction of three minute rounds with one minute rest
period. Fighters were also given a ten-second count if knocked
down to rise to their feet (as opposed to 30 seconds in the
previous London Prize Ring rules). The first Heavyweight
Champion of the World who was universally recognized under
the Queensberry rules was "Gentleman Jim" Corbett who
defeated John L. Sullivan in 1882 at the Pelican Athletic Club
in New Orleans.
In the early twentieth century boxing was arguably the most
popular sport on a world wide scale, with champions being
revered by the public, and bouts heavily increasing in gate
size. During this period boxing commissions and sanctioning
bodies were introduced upon government legislation to
regulate boxers, managers and promoters. These
organizations were also established to formally recognize
world champions. The first of these organizations was the
National Boxing Association (NBA) and the New York State
Athletic Commission (NYSAC), who both begun to recognize
world champions across various periods and weight divisions.
Despite public opinion, there has never been a single entity or
universally recognized organization, therefore making the
'back when there was only one champion' phrase a myth, and
the 'real world champion' a matter of public opinion. However,
The Ring magazine has presented boxers they see as the
universally recognized champions with the prestigious 'The
Ring belt', a tradition which has seen a recent re-emergence
(primarily due to sanctioning bodies losing credibility).
With the emergence of the World Boxing Council (WBC) -
which was initially established as a universal organization, the
NBA changed its name to the World Boxing Association (WBA)
- and stands today as the oldest sanctioning body in world
boxing. After internal political power play disputes within these
organizations, board members separated and established their
own organizations, with it the emergence of the International
Boxing Federation (IBF) and the World Boxing Organization
(WBO). The International Boxing Organization (IBO) has also
seen a recent emergence as a recognized sanctioning body,
mainly due to their (non human manipulated) computerized
rankings system.
Currently world champions are publicly recognized by the
WBA, WBC, WBO, IBO and IBF (in no particular order), with the
holding of three championships at a time being recognized as
the undisputed champion. However, in the educated public's
eye the holder of 'The Ring' belt is considered the true world
champion.
There have been many all time greats of boxing, fighters who
are remembered for their ability inside the ring, as well as their
character outside of it. One fighter who stands above all in a
historical sense is Muhammad Ali. Ali was initially known -
and despised - for his load mouth antics outside of the ring in
interviews and pre fight press conferences, however was also
recognized for his ability inside of the ring. With significant
handspeed, agility and great all over co-ordination Ali defeated
another well known fighter in Sonny Liston in 1964 to win the
Heavyweight Championship of the World. After making title
defenses Ali was stripped of his title after rejecting his drafting
into the United States military for the Vietnam War. Ali never
went to prison, however a three year court battle took place in
which Ali was not allowed to fight. After winning the
controversial court battle Ali came back, a little older and not
with the same footspeed he once had. Ali showed a new ability
inside the ring, for good or for bad it was found Ali had a jaw
of caste iron, and could take punishment that would have
discontinued other boxers. Ali regained his title in 1974 when
he defeated the feared George Foreman in a bout tagged as
the Rumble in the Jungle, taking place in Zaire, Africa. Ali went
onto loss and then regain the heavyweight title two more
times, to end being a four- time Heavyweight Champion of the
World. Ali went onto to be remembered for his sacrifices he
made outside of the ring, giving up a career and millions of
dollars to stand up for what he believed in. He is also
recognized as one of the greatest boxers in the history of the
sport.
Current day boxing relies heavily on Pay Per View (PPV)
attractions, with customers paying a fee to view bouts on
closed circuit cable television. Modern day boxers are paid
wages by promoters primarily dependent on PPV viewing
numbers (or buys), therefore making it the most popular
fighters - rather than the best - who receive the highest
salaries. Many boxers have manipulated this system by
promoting their own events, therefore taking the promoter
(and to a certain extent the PPV operator) out of the promotion
as the middleman. Examples of those who have used this
business model internationally are Oscar De La Hoya, Roy
Jones Jr. And Sugar Ray Leonard, and nationally Australian
Anthony Mundine.
Boxing will remain a controversial but popular sport, because
what makes it controversial also makes it popular. Its history
is deep in with stories and events of those that have gone by
in previous eras, and with this - matched with its natural
athletic characteristics - will put the sport in a position to
develop and evolve for many years to come.
Gavin Stone Personal Training ([http://
www.gavinstone.com.au]) provides fitness training services
in Canberra, A.C.T., Australia. A feature of Gavin Stone
Personal Training is Stone Active; a fitness training
information resource with its featured fitness video series
([http://www.stoneactive.com]), which provides viewers with
clear and concise concepts and ideas for fitness participants
to include in their fitness training regime.
Gavin Stone Personal Training offers fitness services in the
Canberra region. Fitness training programs are personally
designed utilising a training philosophy developed through
qualified experience. Fitness services include: Personal
Training, Smart Start (outdoor fitness training), Group
Personal Training, Mature Adults, Canberra Boot Camp,
Custom Group Fitness and the International Muay Thai
Program.
Gavin Stone is an award winning, Canberra (Australia) based
and recognised personal trainer. Having gained experience
operating a successful Personal Training business and having
experienced intense training camps overseas Gavin now
offers Personal Training services where he places a
nonnegotiable priority on clients results; whether to reach a
certain target or to just get active.
All services are delivered in a professional and non
threatening manner. Gavin Stone is a fully qualified Personal
Trainer and member of Fitness Australia.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Gavin_Stone
0 Comments | Leave a Comment
Submitted On April 18, 2009
Records of boxing are dated back to the
Summer era of the 3rd millennium BC and
the Egyptian era of the 2nd millennium BC
making it the oldest sport in the history of
time, subsequently fighting with fists the
most natural form of combat to man.
Boxing was not formalized as a sport until it appeared in the
Ancient Olympic games of Greece in 688BC and carried the
name Pygme or Pygmachia. Participants prepared for
contests by striking punching bags called korykos. Fighters
wore leather straps over their hands and wrists.
In Roman times there were two forms of boxing; the
competitive form from the Ancient Olympic Games, and the
much revered and viewed form of the Gladiatorial battled in
the Coliseum. These battles were often a fight to the death,
and were staged as a form of entertainment. In 500 AD boxing
was banned, as it was seen as a form of disrespect to the
gods. However, with the fall of the Roman Empire boxing
remained popular throughout Europe during the Middle Ages.
Pre-industrial England saw a re-emergence in the popularity of
boxing. Man to man combat was still seen as a form of
entertainment; and entrepreneurs, often partnered with bar
owners, staged boxing shows - interestingly this same format
of promotion still remains in modern day boxing. The sport
quickly became known as prize fighting, with fighters
receiving a competition purse and money being wagered by
spectators on bouts. Initially during this period there were no
rules, with no referee or weight divisions, making the sport
quite barbaric and dangerous, also giving it the name
pugilism. Eventually a set of rules were written up by Jack
Broughton in 1743 - recognized as the heavyweight champion
- which came to be known as at London Prize Ring rules.
The London Prize Ring rules were later modified in 1867 and
became known as the Queensberry rules, with significant
changes made such as wearing of padded gloves, and the
introduction of three minute rounds with one minute rest
period. Fighters were also given a ten-second count if knocked
down to rise to their feet (as opposed to 30 seconds in the
previous London Prize Ring rules). The first Heavyweight
Champion of the World who was universally recognized under
the Queensberry rules was "Gentleman Jim" Corbett who
defeated John L. Sullivan in 1882 at the Pelican Athletic Club
in New Orleans.
In the early twentieth century boxing was arguably the most
popular sport on a world wide scale, with champions being
revered by the public, and bouts heavily increasing in gate
size. During this period boxing commissions and sanctioning
bodies were introduced upon government legislation to
regulate boxers, managers and promoters. These
organizations were also established to formally recognize
world champions. The first of these organizations was the
National Boxing Association (NBA) and the New York State
Athletic Commission (NYSAC), who both begun to recognize
world champions across various periods and weight divisions.
Despite public opinion, there has never been a single entity or
universally recognized organization, therefore making the
'back when there was only one champion' phrase a myth, and
the 'real world champion' a matter of public opinion. However,
The Ring magazine has presented boxers they see as the
universally recognized champions with the prestigious 'The
Ring belt', a tradition which has seen a recent re-emergence
(primarily due to sanctioning bodies losing credibility).
With the emergence of the World Boxing Council (WBC) -
which was initially established as a universal organization, the
NBA changed its name to the World Boxing Association (WBA)
- and stands today as the oldest sanctioning body in world
boxing. After internal political power play disputes within these
organizations, board members separated and established their
own organizations, with it the emergence of the International
Boxing Federation (IBF) and the World Boxing Organization
(WBO). The International Boxing Organization (IBO) has also
seen a recent emergence as a recognized sanctioning body,
mainly due to their (non human manipulated) computerized
rankings system.
Currently world champions are publicly recognized by the
WBA, WBC, WBO, IBO and IBF (in no particular order), with the
holding of three championships at a time being recognized as
the undisputed champion. However, in the educated public's
eye the holder of 'The Ring' belt is considered the true world
champion.
There have been many all time greats of boxing, fighters who
are remembered for their ability inside the ring, as well as their
character outside of it. One fighter who stands above all in a
historical sense is Muhammad Ali. Ali was initially known -
and despised - for his load mouth antics outside of the ring in
interviews and pre fight press conferences, however was also
recognized for his ability inside of the ring. With significant
handspeed, agility and great all over co-ordination Ali defeated
another well known fighter in Sonny Liston in 1964 to win the
Heavyweight Championship of the World. After making title
defenses Ali was stripped of his title after rejecting his drafting
into the United States military for the Vietnam War. Ali never
went to prison, however a three year court battle took place in
which Ali was not allowed to fight. After winning the
controversial court battle Ali came back, a little older and not
with the same footspeed he once had. Ali showed a new ability
inside the ring, for good or for bad it was found Ali had a jaw
of caste iron, and could take punishment that would have
discontinued other boxers. Ali regained his title in 1974 when
he defeated the feared George Foreman in a bout tagged as
the Rumble in the Jungle, taking place in Zaire, Africa. Ali went
onto loss and then regain the heavyweight title two more
times, to end being a four- time Heavyweight Champion of the
World. Ali went onto to be remembered for his sacrifices he
made outside of the ring, giving up a career and millions of
dollars to stand up for what he believed in. He is also
recognized as one of the greatest boxers in the history of the
sport.
Current day boxing relies heavily on Pay Per View (PPV)
attractions, with customers paying a fee to view bouts on
closed circuit cable television. Modern day boxers are paid
wages by promoters primarily dependent on PPV viewing
numbers (or buys), therefore making it the most popular
fighters - rather than the best - who receive the highest
salaries. Many boxers have manipulated this system by
promoting their own events, therefore taking the promoter
(and to a certain extent the PPV operator) out of the promotion
as the middleman. Examples of those who have used this
business model internationally are Oscar De La Hoya, Roy
Jones Jr. And Sugar Ray Leonard, and nationally Australian
Anthony Mundine.
Boxing will remain a controversial but popular sport, because
what makes it controversial also makes it popular. Its history
is deep in with stories and events of those that have gone by
in previous eras, and with this - matched with its natural
athletic characteristics - will put the sport in a position to
develop and evolve for many years to come.
Gavin Stone Personal Training ([http://
www.gavinstone.com.au]) provides fitness training services
in Canberra, A.C.T., Australia. A feature of Gavin Stone
Personal Training is Stone Active; a fitness training
information resource with its featured fitness video series
([http://www.stoneactive.com]), which provides viewers with
clear and concise concepts and ideas for fitness participants
to include in their fitness training regime.
Gavin Stone Personal Training offers fitness services in the
Canberra region. Fitness training programs are personally
designed utilising a training philosophy developed through
qualified experience. Fitness services include: Personal
Training, Smart Start (outdoor fitness training), Group
Personal Training, Mature Adults, Canberra Boot Camp,
Custom Group Fitness and the International Muay Thai
Program.
Gavin Stone is an award winning, Canberra (Australia) based
and recognised personal trainer. Having gained experience
operating a successful Personal Training business and having
experienced intense training camps overseas Gavin now
offers Personal Training services where he places a
nonnegotiable priority on clients results; whether to reach a
certain target or to just get active.
All services are delivered in a professional and non
threatening manner. Gavin Stone is a fully qualified Personal
Trainer and member of Fitness Australia.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Gavin_Stone
0 Comments | Leave a Comment
Submitted On April 18, 2009
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