Boxing

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.
In the 20th century, professional boxing was subject to increasing control by national and international bodies. Official codes governing professional boxing include specifications for ring construction, for example 16 to 20 ft (4.9 to 6.1 m) square; a minimum weight, 6 to 8 oz (170 to 227 g) for padded gloves; a maximum number of rounds (usually 12 in championship bouts); specifications for the conduct of referees and judges; definitions and penalties for fouls; and systems of scoring points to decide winners of contests that do not end in knockouts. Codes also define grounds on which a bout may be stopped by the referee to prevent serious injury to contestants who have not been knocked out, but who can no longer defend themselves. Such a decision is listed in official records as a knockout, and not, as is often assumed, a technical knockout (TKO). A TKO occurs when a boxer is unable to answer the bell for the next round and resume the contest. The bout is then considered ended.