One of the favorite sports of North Americans is boxing. In fact it’s still growing in popularity. Many other countries also have a number of boxing organizations.
Boxing has along lineage historians have traced it as far back as 4000 BC to the empires of Rome and Greece. Boxing known by other name back then, seems to have been a much rougher and brutal game than now.
In modern times boxing though known to get out of hand at times is basically a safe game with rules and regulations to protect the boxers. Back then the game continued till one of the opponents was declared dead. Also instead of boxing gloves the game was fought with metal spikes and fists.
Gloves are required for both amateurs and professionals. There are no longer any spikes used, and scores are kept by computer to determine the winners. Boxers wear special head-gear for their protection as well. In actuality, even though regulated, boxing is one of the few hand-to-hand sports still in existence.
Boxing is fun for the spectators, as they watch two athletic competitors battling it out. In most cases the participants are matched as to skill, weight and strength. The winner of the match is presented with a trophy to keep in honor of the victory.
You will find it hard to believe that the sport that is so popular in North America was not so till 1800’s. Nowadays it is Americans who are at the top of most International boxing competitions.
Not only men are adept at the sport of boxing, women have stepped center ring and have become as experienced as the men. Women have yet to find a place in the Olympics, but this can’t be far behind.
In most cases professional boxers began as amateurs. Some well known names who have engaged in this sport are George Forman, Leon Spinks, Muhammad Ali, Floyd Patterson and Oscar de la Hoya.
Professional boxing and amateur boxing have some slight differences in the way the boxing match is laid out. Professional boxing consists of four to fifteen rounds, while amateur boxing has only three rounds. The average length of a professional match is twelve rounds.
Judges decide who wins the match, by totaling the points of each fighter. Once they arrive at the score, they announce the winner. If someone is knocked out, it’s a win for the one who threw the final punch. If the person hit can get up before ten seconds have passed, they will usually keep fighting.
In the fast paced modern life more and more people are turning towards boxing. People from all ages are becoming its students not only to fight but also to remain fit and healthy and deal with the stress and worries of life.
Boxing continues to be a popular sport to watch, especially by men, who eagerly watch the ring from the safety of their armchairs.