-
First Recorded Boxing Match
The first recorded boxing match was hosted by Christopher Monck the "2nd Duke of Albemarle" (Left). Monck engineered the match to be fought by his butler, and his butcher. Early fights had no rules, equipment, rounds, weight divisions, or referees. Monck had named these fights under the label of "Prizefighting". -
First Ever Prizefighting Champion
James Figg was the first ever Bare-Knuckle boxing champion. In the year 1719, James Figg was in the prime of his life, he had just opened a school for boxing and had become the first ever champion of the sport. James Figg fought among the early greats such as Bob Whittaker, Jack Broughton, and George Taylor. Figg is considered the father of boxing and retired with a record "believed" to be 270 matches, at 269:1 Win/Loss ratio. Ned Stutton was the only man to ever beat Figg in the ring. -
Jack Broughton
Jack Broughton is considered the pioneer of the sport that is boxing. Jack was the first to create gloves or "muffles" for the fighters. Jack Broughton was the first person to bring rules to the spectator sport, these guidelines were referred to as Broughton's rule. Jack Broughton was inspired to make the rules upon accidently killing George Stevenson in the ring during a match. Broughton's rules ultimately was the starting point for the more modern rules to come. The "London Prize Ring" rules. -
Introduction of Weight Divisions
Weight divisions were not always a manditory rule of professional boxing. The first introduction into weight division occured in 1823. The weight was measured in stones, for every 14 lbs. the fighter weighed it would be considered one stone. -
The London Prize Ring Rules
The London Prize Ring Rules are the more modern rules that we still see today in boxing. These following rules were added on with Broughton's rules to create today's more modern rules.- Fights occurred in a 24 feet (7.3 m)-square ring surrounded by ropes.
- If a fighter were knocked down, he had to rise within 30 seconds under his own will to be allowed to continue.
- Biting, headbutting and hitting below the belt were declared illegal.
-
Finalization of Modern Boxing
In 1920 The N.Y.S.A.C (New York State Athletic Comission) introduced the "Walker Law" which provided the fighters with safety through weight divisions. These divisions are the same divisions used today. The law reduced the roughness of the sport. The law limited matches to fifteen rounds, required a physician in attendance, restricted certain aggressive acts such as head-butting, and created a regulatory commission. This revolutionized boxing for the entire world and began national entertainment -
The Great Depression, Boxing and James J. Braddock
The stock market crash on October 29, 1929 was the spark to what is known today as the Great Depression. The Great Depression ultimately caused a decline in all sports revenue. This decline in revenue doesn't mean athletes were jobless though. James J. Braddock a boxer during the Great Depression he was known for his powerful right hand, tough chin and comeback from a descending career. He lost several bouts due to hand injuries because he worked the docks to feed his family. -
Muhammad Ali is born
Cassius Clay or better known as Muhammad Ali is born. Muhammad Ali is an American former professional boxer, generally considered among the greatest heavyweights in the sport's history. Ali is also a great inspiration for people young and old. Ali often showed that hard work pays off and size isn't everything. Cassius Clay will forever hold a place in history as an inspiration and great fighter. Ali retired with a record of 24-0 Win/Loss Ratio -
Mike Tyson is born
Michael Gerard "Mike" Tyson is also a retired American professional boxer. Tyson is a former undisputed heavyweight champion of the world and holds the record as the youngest boxer to win the WBC, WBA and IBF heavyweight titles at 20 years old. Mike Tyson is also a big name in today's world as Tyson now has many careers including, former boxer, actor, public speaker and prehaps his move that made his famous, biting off a portion of Evander Holyfield's ear and spitting it out! -
World Boxing Hall of Fame
The W.B.H.F was established in 1980 by Everett L. Sanders. This is the most widely reconized of the Hall of Fames. The W.B.H.F did not have a permanant location until 2005,which allowed the more recent IBHOF (International Boxing Hall of Fame) to gain more publicity and prestige. In 2005 the WBHF teamed up with the 121-year-old Los Angeles Athletic Club in downtown Los Angeles for a permanent home. -
Boxing Styles Today
In today's date and time, we have come a long way in boxing. Boxing today is even split up into different styles.
1. Slugger - also known as a puncher or a brawler.
2. Swarmer - also known as an inside fighter or a pressure fighter.
3. Outside fighter - also known as a general boxer.
4. Boxer-Puncher - Distant, heavy puncher.
5. Counter puncher - Is offensive through defensive counters.
6. Unconventional - also known as an unorth -
Conclusion
Boxing has come a long way. From fighting for free, to bare-knuckle boxing. to becoming the sport with the highest paid out fighters. However, there is one thing that has never changed in boxing. It is a spectator sport and forever will be. Floyd "Money" Mayweather (left) - Forbes List Highest Paid Athlete Professional Win/Loss: 43:0 (26 KO's)
Amatuer Win/Loss: 84:6 Salary: 50 Million/Per Fight
