Boxing is in principle a sport, more than a martial art. In both amateur boxing and professional boxing, the bouts are heavily regulated.
When it comes to punching technique and power, there are few martial arts that are as focused on fist strikes as is boxing, which makes boxers formidable opponents in mixed martial arts competitions (or on the street, for that matter).
Boxing is carried out in a series of rounds. Both boxers wear heavy gloves that protect their hands and their opponent from injury. Handwraps are used to stabilize the bones in the hand, allowing the boxers to throw very hard punches that otherwise wouldn’t be possible using bare closed-fist techniques.Striking techniques of boxing
The jab. Executed with the leading arm, the jab is the most effective strike in boxing. It is a quick action, where the arm is quickly retracted after punching, and relies more on speed and reach than on power.
The cross. The most powerful strike, where using the body weight and body rotation, the rear fist is brought straight forward.
The hook. Typically performed with the lead hand, the hook is a small semi circular strike to circumvent the guard of the opponent.
Most often targeted at the head, it can also be used for body strikes.
Most often targeted at the head, it can also be used for body strikes.
The uppercut. A strike famous in boxing.
The fist is thrust upwards, often sliding through the opponents guard, typically aimed at connecting with the chin of the opponent.
The fist is thrust upwards, often sliding through the opponents guard, typically aimed at connecting with the chin of the opponent.
History of boxing
Although the history of boxing (or rather, fist fighting) can be traced back to 1000s or years A.D., in modern times boxing became infamous in England, in the 18th century, where bare-knuckled prize fighting was popular.
Proponents of the art
In the United States of the 20th, there were many outstanding fighters that shaped how boxing was perceived. In the 1920s, Jack Dempsey became almost a folk hero for the American public, and was the first boxer to come to world fame, and to introduce boxing to a worldwide audience.
The heavy weight champions Muhammed Ali and later on Mike Tyson kept boxing in the headlines.
