Boxing,
athletic
contest between two people, each of whom uses
the fists to try to knock the other unconscious
or to inflict enough punishment to cause the
opponent either to quit or to be judged beaten.
A boxing match is conducted under established
rules and procedures and has a referee, judges,
and timekeeper. The primary aim of each
participant is to strike blows to the front of
the head and torso of the opponent that will
knock down and render the boxer incapable of
rising to a standing position and defending
himself within ten seconds. Many fights are
decided on points scored. A point system was
first established in England by the Amateur
Boxing Association. Today several systems are
used throughout the world. For many years
professional boxing in Britain preferred the
5-point system, but in 1973 adopted the 10-point
system which had been used in the United States
and elsewhere for some time. The better fighter
is given the maximum 10 points in each round; if
judged equal then both boxers must be given the
maximum. A fighter who loses a round is normally
awarded 8 or 9 points. Points are generally
awarded for clean hits with the knuckle part of
the glove delivered with the clenched fist to
any part of the front or sides of the head, or
body above the belt. Points are also awarded for
good defensive work in guarding, slipping, or
ducking. Where contestants are equal in these
respects, maximum marks go to the one who is the
most aggressive or displays the better
technique. Professional boxing in Britain is
scored by the referee: in most other countries,
the referee and two judges score the fight and
the decision is given on a majority vote.
Originally the term prizefighting was used when
money was at stake, but the term professional
boxing now bears the same meaning. Amateur
boxing refers to bouts in which prize money is
not at stake. The term pugilism (from Latin
pugil, meaning “a boxer”) is sometimes used for
the sport.
Boxing In India
The game of boxing does
not command a significant following in India
because of the lack of discernible international
success. Notwithstanding the strenuous efforts
of the Indian Amateur Boxing Federation, Indian
boxers have failed to land the knockout punch at
the big stage.
At a time when most of the sports are trying to
reach out to the younger generation banking on
the popularity of star players, boxing in India
languish in the sidelines with no world-class
talents in the horizon.
In the 2006 Colombo SAF Games, even though
Indian boxers managed to bag four gold medals,
Pakistan walked away with the top honours
claiming seven gold medals.
athletic
contest between two people, each of whom uses
the fists to try to knock the other unconscious
or to inflict enough punishment to cause the
opponent either to quit or to be judged beaten.
A boxing match is conducted under established
rules and procedures and has a referee, judges,
and timekeeper. The primary aim of each
participant is to strike blows to the front of
the head and torso of the opponent that will
knock down and render the boxer incapable of
rising to a standing position and defending
himself within ten seconds. Many fights are
decided on points scored. A point system was
first established in England by the Amateur
Boxing Association. Today several systems are
used throughout the world. For many years
professional boxing in Britain preferred the
5-point system, but in 1973 adopted the 10-point
system which had been used in the United States
and elsewhere for some time. The better fighter
is given the maximum 10 points in each round; if
judged equal then both boxers must be given the
maximum. A fighter who loses a round is normally
awarded 8 or 9 points. Points are generally
awarded for clean hits with the knuckle part of
the glove delivered with the clenched fist to
any part of the front or sides of the head, or
body above the belt. Points are also awarded for
good defensive work in guarding, slipping, or
ducking. Where contestants are equal in these
respects, maximum marks go to the one who is the
most aggressive or displays the better
technique. Professional boxing in Britain is
scored by the referee: in most other countries,
the referee and two judges score the fight and
the decision is given on a majority vote.
Originally the term prizefighting was used when
money was at stake, but the term professional
boxing now bears the same meaning. Amateur
boxing refers to bouts in which prize money is
not at stake. The term pugilism (from Latin
pugil, meaning “a boxer”) is sometimes used for
the sport.