The history of boxing can be traced as far back as 1500 BCE. However, it was the ancient Greeks who introduced rules to the sport in 688 BCE at their 23rd Olympiad. Boxers won their fights if their opponent held up a finger or were simply unable to continue. Fighters of the era came from all walks of life, but the majority of them came from wealthy and influential families.
The history of boxing changed constantly in the centuries that followed, but there was one constant - its decline in respectability. Athletes who fought for honor and recognition were now fighting for money with their bare fists and with no rules. People considered this barbaric. Governments made boxing illegal but did not enforce it as fights were held at the Royal Theatre of London. Things began to change during the late 17th and early 18th centuries. Fighters such as James Figg captured the public's attention. Figg was a six foot heavyweight who was recognized as England's first heavyweight champion. His win record was perfect except for a single loss that was due to him being ill. Figg would train many fighters later in his life. One of them was Jack Broughton who would bring some respectability back to boxing as he introduced rules to the sport. However, boxing was still seen as something to be avoided all together. This all changed with John Graham Chambers who rewrote the rules in 1867. These rules put a strong emphasis not on strength but rather skill and technique, and they introduced padded gloves and protection for boxers. A British nobleman, John Sholto Douglas, who was the 9th marquess of Queensberry, saw this and was so impressed that he lent his title to these new rules, which would be called the Queensberry Rules.
While the history of boxing evolved for the better in England, the United States still had bare knuckled no rules fights. Religious communities greatly feared boxing events as they believed it promoted drinking, gambling, and rowdy behavior. Because of this, state and local governments made boxing illegal. This forced many promoters to hold fight venues in remote backwater places. Sometimes they would hold them on barges that were outside United States jurisdiction. But the popularity and profit of boxing changed some minds. Boxing eventually became legal in the United States however it required each state to have an athletic commission to oversee any fights in that state.
Movies such as Rocky or Creed shows us boxers who fight their way out of poverty and into glory. The history of boxing captures this In the early 20th century. Many immigrants who came to America from Europe fought their way to success. However, it would be the African Americans who would dominate the history of boxing at that time. One of the greatest African American boxers was Jack Johnson. As the first African American heavy weight champion, Jack Johnson was hated for his lavish lifestyle and having twice married white women. He would lose his title to Jess Willard in 1915 after having a nearly seven year reign as champion.
The 20th century saw the history of boxing regaining the respectability it once had. Amateur boxing had been around since the late 19th century in both England and The United States, but The United States gave it a prize to strive for in 1926 with the Golden Gloves tournament. But when people hear about boxing, they generally think about professional boxing. The 1960s saw the rise of an African American who won the light heavyweight gold medal at the Summer Olympics in Rome. His name was Cassius Clay, but he would later call himself Muhammed Ali. Ali's life and career gave boxing its personality that we see in its abundance today. Ali's persona and style would inspire future champions like Mike Tyson.
The history of boxing is still an ongoing story. It has changed rapidly and without warning through its time, but given its longevity, it's safe to say that it's a story that will keep on writing.
Written by: LonardTilford