From Murder to Boxing

Here is another boxing article before we leave this topic temporarily. I really didn't do much editing on this one. For a theme as detailed as boxing history, this is the most informative I can get without overly exceeding the required word limit. Consequently, I decided to use a more serious tone rather than a comical one to emphasize how much the sport has changed throughout the years.

Description: The early years of boxing was a great way to commit murder with no consequences. Today, a black eye and a fat lip is already considered too painful to look at.

During the early days of boxing, when it was still referred to as pugilism, the sport was far less complicated than what it is today. There were no judges to give points as winning solely meant beating your opponent to a pulp until he dies or quits. However, as the sport evolved, a ton of new rules was enforced, while boxers were required to wear a lot of protective gear. Despite the significant downgrade in blood and pain, modern boxing still has its thrills and exciting moments, especially if a knockout takes place and the boxer goes out in a stretcher.

Based on several archaeological studies, boxing has been around since 3000 BC. Still, the combat sport didn't get off until it reached Greece a few thousand years later when random men were chosen to honor the nation's fallen warriors by engaging in a bout. There were no weight divisions then, and every part of the body was fair game, though wrestling moves and grapples were prohibited.

Pugilism gained popularity in Rome and even became part of the Olympics later on. However, the sport was banned by Roman leaders because it destroyed the boxer's face, which Romans considered the image of God. The sport eventually reached England and became known as bare-knuckle boxing or prizefighting, whose first champion was James Figg. To lower the death count among boxers, the first official set of rules was unveiled by heavyweight champion Jack Broughton in 1743. Broughton also created padded gloves or mufflers to soften the effect of a punch. The immense popularity of the sport during this time eventually gave birth to the term boxing.

James Figg versus modern-day Mike Tyson: who you got?

Another bunch of rules was created in 1867 called the Marquess of Queensberry rules. These regulations became the blueprint of all the intricacies in boxing today, such as weight divisions, rounds and referees. As years passed more rules were added like the prohibition of hitting below the belt, TKO and safety requirements. Although boxing has certainly mellowed down throughout the years, it still is one of the more violent, yet entertaining sports we have today.

WORD COUNT = 348 (300 word limit)

The Deadly Sport of Ancient Boxing

Another post from a series of boxing articles. This time, the primary phrase given to me was ANCIENT BOXING. Compared to its original version, the editing on this one was very minimal, including the italicization parts. Also, this one has a more serious tone than the first posted article here. Finally, note that this article was entirely written in a third person perspective, which is usually the case when I make rather formal compositions.

Description: Ancient boxing paved the way to the combat sport we know today.

Boxing has long been considered one of the toughest sports in history. As merciless as boxing may seem today, the combat sport was even more unforgiving in its early days, to the point that the only way to win a match was to literally kill the opposition.

The brutal sport we know today traced its roots in Europe, particularly in Greece, where its popularity grew immensely. Compared to all the protective gears required in modern boxing, its ancient counterpart only needed two men and a mediator to begin. Participants were chosen randomly and weight divisions were nonexistent. Some of the very first boxing matches in history were even done barenaked. However, when boxing became part of the Olympics in 688 BC, competitors started wearing leather strips or himantes over their hands for stronger hits and body for protection.

Himantes equals pain.

Before coming to prominence, boxing matches were usually held to honor the fallen. There were no boxing rings back then so boxing fights can take place anywhere. This made weather conditions a factor in deciding the outcome of a match. A simple sun glare during a bout could spell life or death for a boxer.

Despite the barbaric nature of ancient boxing, there were unwritten rules upheld during matches. This includes no holds, grapples, wrestling and gouging. Additionally, there were no time limits and matches weren't split into rounds. Once both fighters have reached their limits, they can agree and ask the referee for some time out to recover. If no winner is decided after a lengthy period has passed, a klimax will be held. During this round, the fighters get to punch his opponent without the other blocking it. Whoever wins the coin toss gets to deliver the first blow. This exchange goes on until a winner emerges from the fight.

This boxing stance used to mean business. (Image stolen from here).

Ancient boxing was basically a no holds barred fisticuff. There were no judges, points and split decisions. The match went on until someone dies or concedes. Despite its bloody start, boxing eventually became more regulated and evolved into the exciting sport it is today.

WORD COUNT = 344 (300 word limit)

Amateur Boxing is Not Fighting!

The first topic assigned to me was BOXING. This particular article is about amateur boxing. Besides expanding a phrase like "amateur boxing" into 300+ words, we were also tasked to give each piece an attractive description, as well as unique tags and keywords.

I used to think my works were ok, to say the least. But after reading the original version of this one, I had to say it was a bit subpar for my taste. So I decided to improve a few phrases without messing up the tone of each sentence. I also added an image for additional visual stimulation. We all know that all words and no jpegs make websites a dull read. Anyway, this composition was one of my earliest attempts to be funny and informative at the same time.

Description: Amateur boxing can be more complicated than the pros. However, it can be easier to win if you know how.

Amateur boxing is not as easy as it looks. First, you have to memorize a lot of rules even before stepping into a boxing ring so to make sure that a boxer's brain isn't too damaged after a fight, there are only four rounds lasting two minutes each in amateur boxing. Furthermore, amateur boxing gloves should weigh exactly 10 ounces so once a boxer lands a punch to your headgear, it's like you didn't feel a thing.

You see, amateur boxing is more concerned in protecting the fighters. That is why referees get to stop a match if a boxer starts bleeding. This is a subtle message from the league telling you that “someone in the arena might have an infectious disease so we are protecting you from contracting it”. Boxers with hidden medical conditions will eventually be exposed. Better move up to the pros instead because people there thrive in cuts and lacerations.

An amateur match may be halted if the referee thinks you are overmatched, or in other words, a wimp. That means you have to make sure your knees are not shaking, though the referee won't notice if excessive perspiration is pouring out from your forehead. The good news is you can just fake a stomach ache and tell the referee you can't go on any further. The bad news is that you lose, your opponent wins and you'll probably be beaten down by your coach and teammates, without the boxing gear.

Ah, yes. If only amateur boxing meant these kinds of amateurs.

Another obstacle in amateur boxing is that minors should have a consent form signed by their parents. Just try and ask your folks if it would be alright for you to punch someone in the face. If they say no the first time, tell them that your opponent will have a helmet on. If your parents turn you down again because they don't tolerate fighting, tell them that it isn't a fight. In the amateurs, the technical term that refers to two people exchanging blows is a bout.

If there is any consolation, judges and referees have to memorize these rules too. However for the boxer, not only do you have to remember these regulations, you also have to wear uniforms that would make Tim Gunn vomit. The worst part is that losers usually get nothing so it doesn't make much of a difference if you quit or get knocked out.

Word Count = 396 (300 word limit)