Boxing traces its earliest origins to the Greek Island of Santorini where a fresco of
two young boxers was discovered. The fresco dates to 1600 B.C.
Boxing was introduced as an Olympic sport at the 23rd Olympiad
in 688 B.C., with the first Olympic winner being Onomastos Smyrnaios.
According to the historian, Dion, the ancients did not value beatings or knockouts in boxing.
Rather, the aim was to remain un-injured ("atravmatistos") until the opponent became exhausted and signalled defeat
by raising two fingers ("apagorefsi"). One great fighter avoided blows for two days before his opponent gave up.
In Ancient Greek culture, the god, Apollo, was regarded as the inventor and guardian of
the sport of boxing.
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The most prolific boxer in history was Great Britain's Len Wickwar
who, between 1928 and 1947, fought 463 bouts. He also holds the records for the most wins (336) and most losses
(127) of any boxer.
The name "Golden Gloves" was born in 1923 when a Chicago Tribune sports editor, Arch Ward, originated
an amateur boxing tournament designed to help youth and promote amateur competition. The award given to each winner was a tiny golden
boxing glove.
Ever wonder why they call them boxing "rings", even though they are square? In Ancient
Rome, boxing rules were introduced and competitors were required to remain within a circular ring drawn on the
arena floor. They have been known as "rings" ever since.
The fighter with the most fights without suffering a single loss was Hal Bagwell
of Great Britain who finished his 10 year career (1938-1948) with 175 wins, 0 losses and 5 draws.
Archie Moore holds the record for most knockouts during a career -- a staggering
141.
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| ARCHIE MOORE |
Lamar Clark holds the record for the most consecutive knockouts with 44 in a row between
1958 and 1960.
The youngest and oldest world champions were Wilfred Benitez at age 17 (junior welterweight
title, 1976) and George Foreman at age 45 (heavyweight title, 1994).
Boxing Day, a holiday celebrated on the day after Christmas in former British Commonwealth
nations (e.g. Australia, Canada and South Africa), has nothing whatsoever to do with the sport of boxing.
The churches open their poor boxes for donations that day.
In Newark, New Jersey, in 1942, Timmy Larkin entered the ring intensely focused on his bout
with Tommy Cross ... so much so that Larkin took off his robe and found himself standing buck naked in the ring.
Sugar Ray Leonard won world titles in a record FIVE different weight divisions from 1979
to 1988. These included the WBC welterweight, light middleweight, middleweight, super middleweight and light heavyweight titles.
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| SUGAR RAY |
On August 22, 1957, Pete Rademacher was knocked out in round 6 of his title fight with
reigning world heavyweight champion, Floyd Patterson. Amazingly, this title opportunity came to Rademacher in his
very first professional bout.
The only southpaw to win a world heavyweight title was Michael Moorer who defeated Evander
Holyfield in the 12th round in 1994.
Muhammad Ali lost to more amateur boxers (7) than professional boxers (5).
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Opponents were selected by lot without regard to age or weight, sometimes pitting large
men against smaller boys.
Boxers could be struck while down.
Bouts had no time limits. By agreement, boxers could be allowed time to recover
before resuming the bout.
Bouts were fought completely naked except for "himantes", soft ox-hide wraps used to protect the
hands and wrists.
Blows to the genital organs and holding were forbidden.
Bouts ended when one boxer was knocked out or admitted he was beaten by raising two fingers.
If a bout continued too long, the boxers could opt for "klimax"
in which each boxer stood still and took alternating undefended blows from the other until one was unable to continue.
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The Marquis of Queensbury Rules
Written by John Graham Chambers in 1865 to govern the sport of boxing
in England and its dominions.
To be a fair stand-up boxing match, in a twenty-four foot ring, or as near that size as practicable.
No wrestling or hugging allowed
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The rounds to be of three minutes' duration, and one minute's time between
rounds.
If either man fall through weakness or otherwise, he must get up unassisted, ten seconds to be allowed him
to do so, the other man meanwhile to return to his corner, and when the fallen man is on his legs the round is to be resumed,
and continued until the three minutes have expired. If one man fails to come to scratch in the ten seconds allowed, it shall
be in the power of the referee to give his award in favor of the other man.
A man hanging on the ropes in a helpless
state, with his toes off the ground, shall be considered down.
No seconds or any other person to be allowed in the
ring during the rounds.
Should the contest be stopped by any unavoidable interference, the referee to name the time
and place as soon as possible for finishing the contest; so that the match must be won and lost, unless the backers of both
men agree to draw the stakes.
The gloves to be fair-sized boxing gloves of the best quality, and new.
Should
a glove burst, or come off, it must be replaced to the referee's satisfaction.
A man on one knee is considered down,
and if struck is entitled to the stakes.
No shoes or boots with springs allowed.
The contest in all other
respects to be governed by the revised rules of the London Prize Ring.
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