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)