Boxing

Boxing is a combat sport in which two opponents compete in a ring, using punches delivered with gloved fists. The objective is to land legal blows, avoid or block those of the opponent, and win by knockout, technical knockout, or by points awarded by judges.

Its modern form developed in Britain during the 18th and 19th centuries, evolving from bare-knuckle prize fighting. The introduction of the Marquess of Queensberry Rules in 1867 mandated gloves, three-minute rounds, and a ten-count for knockdowns, and it established many conventions still used in the sport today.

Professional boxing typically features a fixed number of rounds, commonly 4 to 12, with world-title bouts often scheduled for 12 rounds. Rounds are scored by judges, most often using the 10-point must system. A fighter can win by knockout (KO), technical knockout (TKO), or by decisions based on accumulated score; within decisions, outcomes include unanimous, majority, and split decisions. Fouls such as hitting below the belt, headbutting, or hitting after the referee stops the contest result in deductions or warnings.

Competitors wear protective gear including gloves, hand wraps, and a mouthguard, and fight in a ring with ropes. Weight classes separate athletes to ensure fair competition. Training combines conditioning, technique, strategy, and sparring.

Boxing is overseen internationally by multiple sanctioning bodies, notably the WBA, WBC, IBF, and WBO, which recognize world champions in various weight divisions. Amateur boxing, including Olympic competition, has its own governance and qualification pathways.

Boxing carries health risks, particularly to the brain, and safety protocols include medical examinations, standardized rounds, and medical stoppages when necessary. Ongoing research investigates long-term effects and ways to reduce injury risk.

The sport has a broad cultural footprint, with global professional circuits and a long history of notable athletes, events, and traditions that reflect diverse communities and eras.