From ancient times, people have always sought to determine the fittest. Well, what can you do, such is human nature. At the same time, the times of uncontrolled rigidity and limitless aggressiveness went into oblivion. In the courtyard is the twenty-first century, which nevertheless makes adjustments to the development of the human race, so martial arts have now become in many ways more sports than an element of survival. In this regard, we will consider in more detail what boxing is, what is its history, development dynamics, features and rules.
Historical reference
The first boxing match was captured in a cave of ancient Sumerians and dated to the third millennium BC. There is also an ancient Egyptian image that shows us not only boxers, but also spectators in the arena. In this case, both opponents fight with their bare hands.
According to historians, fist fights were described in ancient Indian texts and manuscripts.
It was known what boxing is, and in ancient Greece. In those days there was absolutely no division into weight categories, and the clinch was under the strictest ban. As a rule, fights did not have rounds, were not limited in time and most often ended in knockout, surrender or even death. And although during the training process the fighters nevertheless used special boxing gloves, during the fight their hands were wrapped only with strips of hard leather, which inflicted serious injuries on the person.
Olympic sport
For the first time, boxing became a form of Olympic competition in 668 BC. e. in 23 ancient competitions. The ancient Greeks held their boxing fights on a square shaped area, sprinkled with sand. The boxing form was absent at that time; each of them acted as he considered necessary. There was already then a judge who was called a gelladonic. If in the allotted time none of the participants in the battle won by a clear knockout, then an exchange of blows without the use of protection was mandatory.
Modern version of martial arts
Boxing is not only the ability to fend for oneself, but also a sport that has gained crazy popularity these days, and the leading world fighters receive millions of fees for their bright and at the same time difficult fights.
In 1867, a man named John Chambers, a member of an amateur athletic club, brought the rules of an amateur London tournament into a single structure. John Sholto Douglas helped him financially - he is the Marquis of Queensberry, who later became known as the creator of the rules.
In total, 12 basic points regulating the behavior of fighters were initially approved. They are fully relevant today:
- The fight takes place on a square platform, the side of which is 24 feet.
- Any captures, strangulation, throws, kicks are prohibited.
- The round lasts three minutes, the break - one minute.
- After the fall, the boxer must stand up for 10 seconds, if he cannot stand up, then a defeat is counted.
- It is forbidden to cling to the ropes and push away from them to strike.
- None of the outsiders has any right to be in the ring during the round.
- The gloves of the fighters must be the same in quality and weight.
- A torn glove must be replaced by the referee.
- A fighter who touches the ring with his knee is considered to have fallen.
- The fight ends with the victory of one of the athletes.
As can be seen from the above, boxing is a strictly regulated clarification of the relationship between two gentlemen, and not some kind of street dirty fight.
Training process
Of course, any business requires good dexterity, experience and certain knowledge and skills. Therefore, boxing is an activity that involves regular training, both independently and as part of a group. The coach will certainly perform a strike to the athletes, controls the time they make the combinations, puts them in sparring, makes them perform strikes on specialized equipment, such as a punching bag, bag, paws, etc. In addition, close attention is paid to general physical preparation: jumps are performed jumping rope, work is carried out with a stuffed ball, push-ups on the bars are done, pull-ups on the horizontal bar, swimming is recommended.
To perfect the technique, control fights are used, in which the fighters can fight, as in a real battle. For passive protection, they use a mouth guard, sink, helmet, boxing gloves, and wrap their hands in bandages. Such devices and accessories minimize the risk of injury and protect against unwanted cuts.
Varieties
Boxing is a sport that can be divided into three types: amateur, semi-professional, professional.
Amateurs perform according to this scheme: three rounds of three minutes. The break between rounds is one minute. Athletes must wear a boxing uniform. A distinctive feature: an amateur boxer can hold several fights in one day, speaking at a tournament.
Professionals beat from 8 to 12 rounds. Until the 1980s, the championship fight took place 15 rounds, but the death of a boxer named Duk Ku Kim gave the impetus to the fact that first the main world boxing federation WBC, and after that the WBA and IBF also reduced the champion distance by removing three rounds.
The pros beat to the waist naked, unlike the lovers dressed in a T-shirt. The judge in the ring closely monitors the physical condition of the fighters and can stop the fight at any time due to injury to one of his opponents, dissection, severe bleeding or knockout.
Boxing styles
The boxing championship is a very serious event, where fighters of various capacities and styles meet. Therefore, it is worth considering carefully what are the main options for fighting an athlete.
Outfighter is a sportsman who prefers to engage in combat from a long distance. Such a boxer is very technical, quickly and easily moves on his feet. If his opponent tries to break into the clinch or close range, the outfayer will always tear it and meet him with a jab, while holding his right hand near his head. Vivid examples are Vladimir Klitschko, Mohammed Ali.
Infiter is a close-range fighter. Such boxers are very aggressive and assertive. They hit with a series of blows to the body and head from a very short distance. In most cases, these fighters are stunted.
A counterpuncher is a boxer who expects an opponent to make a mistake and be punished for it. The main task of the counter-pancher is to use the opponent’s attack to achieve his goal. This style obliges you to have an excellent reaction, worked out combinations, clear reflexes, high speed of hands, a refined technique. Examples: Chris Byrd, Floyd Mayweather Jr.
Slugger is a sedentary boxer who prefers to strike an arc like a hook or uppercut. However, he himself is inactive and does not have good protection. Such fighters always go forward in the expectation that they can send an opponent to the floor. They lack quality footwork, but they completely compensate for this with a crazy blow force.
Spoiler - a fighter who constantly avoids direct combat and works as a "second number". Often a spoiler tends to clinch and can even use dirty tricks. Very often, he seeks not to win, but to put the opponent in a laughing stock. Also, the spoiler does not allow to reveal the strengths of your opponent. Surprisingly, this tactic allowed some fighters to become world champions. Examples: Ishe Smith, John Ruiz, Guillermo Rigondo.
Resher is a person who aggressively attacks without any thought and fear for himself. He often goes on the attack without looking back, has powerful blows from both hands. He strives to literally crush the enemy, as if he was just a punching bag for him. Able to completely disorient the opponent with their onslaught.
Protection options
The main elements of protective equipment are:
- Dive
- bias;
- stand;
- beating off;
- overlay;
- blockade;
- clinch;
- moving on legs.
Separation of fighters by weight
Any modern boxing federation necessarily carries out the graduation of boxers by weight. As for the professionals, they are divided into seventeen categories, the list of which looks like:
- The minimum weight is 105 pounds.
- The first flyweight is 108 pounds.
- The lightest is 112.
- The second easiest - 115.
- The lightest weight is 118.
- The second easiest - 122.
- Featherweight - 126.
- The second featherweight is 130.
- Light weight - 135.
- The first welterweight is 140.
- Welterweight - 147.
- The first middle one is 154.
- The average weight is 160.
- The second average is 168.
- Light heavy - 175.
- The first heavy is 200.
- Heavy weight - over 200 pounds.
Amateur competitions are held in ten categories. Moreover, the weigh-in is carried out immediately before the tournament. The fighter also undergoes a rigorous medical examination. Depending on the significance of the competition, an athlete may be assigned a rank (third, second, first) or rank (candidate for master of sports, master of sports, international master of sports ).
Officials
Boxing is a strictly regulated event. Mandatory boxing fights are always present:
- the referee controlling the progress of the match;
- side referees counting points;
- timekeeper;
- a second and his assistant, who are called upon to provide first aid to a fighter in between rounds (professionals are allowed to have four seconds).