Boxing, also called pugilism, prizefighting (when referring to professional boxing) or the sweet science (a common nickname among fans), is a sport in which two participants of similar weight fight each other with their fists in a series of one to three-minute intervals called "rounds". In both Olympic and professional divisions, the combatants (called boxers or fighters) avoid their opponent's punches while trying to land punches of their own. Points are awarded for clean, solid blows to the legal area on the front of the opponent's body above the waistline, with hits to the head and torso being especially valuable. The fighter with the most points after the scheduled number of rounds is declared the winner. Victory may also be achieved if the opponent is knocked down and unable to get up before the referee counts to ten (a Knockout, or KO) or if the opponent is deemed too injured to continue (a Technical Knockout, or TKO). For record-keeping purposes, a TKO is counted as a knockout. On boxers' records, only KO's are mentioned. Technical knockouts are usually only mentioned in contemporaneous news articles.

Origins

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Earliest evidence suggests that boxing was prevalent in North Africa during 4000 BC and the Mediterranean in 1500 BC.

A Greek ruler named Theseus, who ruled around 900 BC, was entertained by men who would be seated in front of each other and beat another with their fists until one of them was killed. In time, the fighters fought on their feet and wore gloves (not padded) and wrappings on their arms below the elbows, but were otherwise naked when competing. First accepted as an Olympic sport (the ancient Greeks called it Pygme/ Pygmachia) in 688 BC, participants in the ancient games trained on punching bags (called a korykos). Keeping their fingers free, fighters then wore leather straps (called himantes) on their hands, wrists, and sometimes lower arms, to protect them from injury.

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L.A. Times - Boxing

Miguel Espino is one boxer a mother could love
Tue, 15 Dec 2009 00:00:00 -0800
The 29-year-old from North Hollywood is a good story not just because he is fighting for Kelly Pavlik's middleweight titles, but because he is literally fighting for his family, especially his legally The 29-year-old from North Hollywood is a good story not just because he is fighting for Kelly Pavlik's middleweight titles, but because he is literally fighting for his family, especially his legally
Timothy Bradley retains WBO junior-welterweight championship
Sun, 13 Dec 2009 00:00:00 -0800
The unbeaten fighter from Palm Springs dominates Lamont Peterson of Washington, D.C., in title bout at Rancho Mirage and looks ready for the next level. The unbeaten fighter from Palm Springs dominates Lamont Peterson of Washington, D.C., in title bout at Rancho Mirage and looks ready for the next level.
B.J. Penn defeats Diego Sanchez at UFC 107
Sun, 13 Dec 2009 00:00:00 -0800
He retains his lightweight championship with a technical knockout in the fifth round. He retains his lightweight championship with a technical knockout in the fifth round.
Vitali Klitschko defeats Kevin Johnson by unanimous decision
Sun, 13 Dec 2009 00:00:00 -0800
The 38-year-old WBC heavyweight champion retains the belt he reclaimed in October of last year. Vitali Klitschko retained his WBC heavyweight title on Saturday night with a unanimous decision over American contender Kevin Johnson on Bern, Switzerland.
Lamont Peterson tries to go from the streets to a title
Sat, 12 Dec 2009 00:00:00 -0800
After a rough childhood, the unbeaten Peterson fights Timothy Bradley for junior-welterweight crown. The opportunity tonight to become a world boxing champion isn't where Lamont Peterson's life once seemed to be headed.
Boxer Andre Ward lets his fists do the talking
Sat, 12 Dec 2009 00:00:00 -0800
The newly-minted WBC super-middleweight champion is a rarity in his sport: A prizefighter who doesn't talk trash. He's as humble and soft-spoken as he is talented. The only time Andre Ward talks trash is when he is wheeling it to the curb at his home in Oakland.

Boxing: Hardcore Boxing Press Zone

DRL SIGNS HEAVYWEIGHT FRES OQUENDO TO PROMOTIONAL BOXING AGREEMENT
DRL SIGNS HEAVYWEIGHT FRES OQUENDO TO PROMOTIONAL BOXING AGREEMENT
Lovemore says Hatton Witter Castillo BRING THEM ALL ON
Lovemore says Hatton Witter Castillo BRING THEM ALL ON
TICKETS GOING FAST FOR BRIGGS IBRAGIMOV WBO HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP SHOWDOWN TO TAKE PLACE ON MARCH 10TH IN NYC
TICKETS GOING FAST FOR BRIGGS IBRAGIMOV WBO HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP SHOWDOWN TO TAKE PLACE ON MARCH 10TH IN NYC

ESPN.com - Boxing

Paul Williams up for Sergio Martinez challenge in Kelly Pavlik's absence
Dan Rafael Fri, 04 Dec 2009 11:26:52 -0800
When Kelly "The Ghost" Pavlik made like his nickname and vanished, Paul Williams didn't fret. He went after the next biggest threat in Sergio Martinez.
Hopkins has heavyweight title on his mind
Dan Rafael Sat, 28 Nov 2009 16:58:39 -0800
Bernard Hopkins is 44. He'll turn 45 in January. For years, the former long-reigning middleweight champ has (with glee) reminded the media about his age, which is what makes his accomplishments that much more impressive. Since turning 40, the man with a body of a man half his age, has authored some of his greatest moments in the prize ring. Hopkins was post-40 when he pulled a major upset and easily defeated Antonio Tarver to win the light heavyweight championship in 2006.He was also past 40...
Boxing fan Jerry Jones pushing to land megafight between Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather Jr.
Dan Rafael Thu, 17 Dec 2009 13:21:43 -0800
Jerry Jones is pushing promoters Bob Arum of Top Rank and Richard Schaefer of Golden Boy hard to bring the Manny Pacquiao-Floyd Mayweather Jr. fight to Cowboys Stadium.
John McCain, Peter King pushing for pardon of boxer Jack Johnson
Associated Press Wed, 16 Dec 2009 10:28:07 -0800
Two lawmakers are appealing to President Barack Obama to pardon renowned black boxer Jack Johnson, who was imprisoned a century ago because of his romantic link to a white woman.
Light heavyweight champ Jean Pascal to have arthroscopic shoulder surgery
Associated Press Wed, 16 Dec 2009 15:07:37 -0800
Light heavyweight champion Jean Pascal had arthroscopic surgery on his right shoulder Wednesday and will be unable to train or fight for about nine weeks.
Timothy Bradley wins unanimous decision over Lamont Peterson to defend 140-pound title
Associated Press Sat, 12 Dec 2009 20:31:33 -0800
Timothy Bradley defended his WBO 140-pound title and remained unbeaten with a dominant unanimous decision over Lamont Peterson on Saturday night.

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