Boxing is a sport that is in a category by itself. While it may seem simplistic and barbaric some. Boxing is only simplistic in theory. In reality the sweet science is filled with subtle complexities.
Two pugilists face each other in the confinements of a small ring and land blows to the head and body in an attempt to score points, break down their opponent until a he can no longer defend himself, or knock him unconscious. In this sense, it’s a display of pure physical aggression, the likes of which are deemed unacceptable by society outside the ring.
There are no other team members inside the ring upon whom to rely for support. A boxing match is a battle of skill, will, heart, and at times, luck.
However primitive and brutal it may seem at first glance, boxing is much more complex than what those who aren’t familiar with the sport would imagine. There is a set of rules that every true boxer learns to obey and an unwritten code of honor that respected pugilists follow.
The complexities involve well-honed fighting styles that are like a fingerprint. No two boxers fight exactly alike. Instinct, and major psychological factors also come into play. Boxers often attempt to exploit any perceived psychological weaknesses of their opponents, not only during a fight, but preceding it. Some boxing matches are won before the boxers enter the ring.
Angry boxers are usually careless boxers, and this can play into the hands of the one who has the psychological advantage. Over-confidence can also be detrimental. An intelligent boxer will be careful to respect his opponent’s abilities, while simultaneously attempting to give the impression that he already knows the victory is his. A fighter who does not believe he can win cannot win.
The level of the violence associated with modern boxing pales in comparison with the earliest forms of pugilistic competition. This series of articles will examine the origins of the sport known as the sweet science.
The earliest accounts of boxing as a sport
There were very few rules in ancient boxing. Boxers employed head-butting, gouging, low blows, kicking, wrestling, and even biting. There were no rings or time limitations.
In ancient Greece, boxers used padded gloves similar to the ones used in the sport today while training, but during actual competitions the padded gloves were abandoned for simple unpadded leather strips that were wrapped around their hands and forearms. By the 4th century BC, they began using thinner leather strips that only covered the knuckles. These were much more effective in causing lacerations.
There were no rounds or time limits. Clinching was strictly forbidden at all times. The contestants competed outdoors, often in blazing heat. The bout continued until one fighter surrendered or was unable to continue.
Roman soldiers often boxed to train for hand to hand combat, and for sport. Roman gladiators used leather hand wraps that were studded with metal. These wraps were called cestus. The competitions were held in gladiatorial and sporting arenas. In most cases, the matches were fought to the death.
A rendering of Greek boxers in the ancient Olympics (BBC Photo)
Although men have undoubtedly been fighting since the dawn of time, the sport was introduced to the Olympic games in the 23rd Olympiad of 688 BC. The Olympic games were abolished around 400 AD, then revived in the late 19th century. Boxing was finally reintroduced to the games in 1903.
Greco-Roman boxing was banned altogether by Theodoric the Great around by 500 AD. By this time Rome had fully embraced Christianity. Theodoric the Great argued that since the sport often led to death and severely disfigured the faces of its competitors, it was an abomination to God, because the Bible states that mankind is created in His image.
Thankfully, modern boxing is barely comparable to the most primitive time-period of the sport, but these earliest accounts are important chronicles of the origin boxing.
The second part of this series will enter into more familiar territory where modern rules began to take shape.
Part 2 will examine the era of bare-knuckle boxing.
