Friday 18 July 2014

Boxing – A Combat Sport

For centuries combat sports have been a part of human civilization, when there were no state-of-the-art weapons, and violence was not only welcome but one on one fighting was cheered and appreciated. More or less, the same concept applies to 'Boxing', where the best fighters in the world set inside hallowed rings and one left standing at the end always wins. Boxing is one of the oldest sports in the world, and holds a special place among fans, which go nuts when fists fly and punches are launched. The close proximity of the ecstatic boxer with the excited crowd aggravates the charm of the game, providing the ultimate treat for the eyes. Several memorable moments of boxing are also the unforgettable moments of sports history.
Since its inception centuries ago, Boxing has come a long way. Initially and for a very long time, boxers did not have any rules to fight by. Rules were introduced and became a part of this sport in late 1700s. It was no longer the game of just hitting the opponent notoriously but a lot of tactics got involved making it the read fighting deal. The boxing contests now take place on two levels, amateur and professional, with amateur level providing protection to combatants with head gears and only clean punches are awarded points. However, professional boxing offers neither head protection nor such liberties, moreover its longer duration and physical contact makes it much more intense.

These changes have played a major role in the rise of Boxing as a global sport. The first set of rules was called Prize Ring Rules that served as the forerunner for today's more concrete and elaborated rules of the game. Boxing history has produced some of the most iconic stars including Joe Louis, Carlos Monzon, Evander Holyfield, Joe Frazier, Muhammad Ali, Mike Tyson, Roy Jones Jr, Floyd Mayweather Jr, Larry Holmes, Sugar Ray Leonard, Henry Armstrong, Oscar De La Hoya, and Sugar Ray Robinson among several others. Action packed boxing seasons is enjoyed every year by the fans worldwide.