It is believed that in Greek and Roman civilizations, men already fought using their hands, striking each other, for sporting purposes (Greeks) and fun (Romans).
But boxing received some rules, similar to those we have today, in the 17th century, in the United Kingdom. In 1867, the use of gloves and the number of assaults were introduced.
With competition objectives, categories were defined
which vary according to the weight of the fighter (boxer or boxer).
Professional fights consist of a maximum of 12 rounds lasting 3 minutes each. In certain competitions the number of rounds may be fewer.
In the Olympics, 3 rounds of 3 minutes each are considered.
Fighters earn points at the end of each round, awarded by five judges. The points depend on the blows and defenses and serve to define the winner if the fight goes to the end.
When the opponent is knocked down and he remains on the ground for 10 seconds or is unable to continue the fight, the boxer ends by knockout. So-called “low blows”, those at or below the waist line, are not permitted.
The main punches in boxing are: cross (applied to the side of the opponent's head), jab (low-impact and quick preparatory blows), direct (frontal punch) and upper (also known as hook, occurs from bottom to top reaching the chin ).
Boxing is a sport considered a martial art and is part of the Pan American Games and Olympics.
The only edition of the Olympic Games that did not feature boxing contests was the Stockholm Olympics in 1912, due to a law that prohibited the practice of the sport in the country.
Women's boxing at the Olympic Games debuted at the London Olympics in 2012.
The main international organizations are: World Boxing Association (AMB), World Boxing Council (CMB), International Boxing Federation (FIB), World Boxing Organization (WBO).
The best known boxers are:
Larry Holmes, Sugar Ray Leonard, Oscar de la Hoya, Julio Cesar Chavez and Mike Tyson.
Muhammad Ali won a gold medal in the light heavyweight category at the Rome Olympic Games (1960).
Canadian boxer Lennox Lewis beat North American Riddick Bowe in the super heavyweight final of the Seoul Olympic Games (1988).
Cuban boxer Teófilo Stevenson was three times Olympic champion in the heavyweight category (between 1972 and 1980).
In Brazil, Éder Jofre, Adilson “Maguila” Rodrigues and Acelino Popó Freitas stand out.
Brazil won three medals. Brazilian boxer Esquiva Falcão won a silver medal; Yamaguchi Falcão and Adriana Araújo brought bronze.
