• The earliest forms of boxing were in ancient times. Most of these were bare knuckled fights.

• In the 1681, a fighting event known as ‘Prize fighting’ started up in England. The first champion was James Fig in 1719. It was also in this time that the word ‘Boxing’ was used.

• The first fights had little to no rules. There were no set number of rounds, no weight-classes and no referee. The first form of rules, known as ‘Broughton’s Rules’ were introduced in 1743. • In 1867, the ‘Marquess of Queensberry rules’ were made the official rules of boxing. • It was in the 20th century that boxing became a mainstream sport, with boxing organisations being formed to regulate the sport.

• Boxing consists of 12 rounds, each 3 minutes long. There is a 1 minute break between each round where fighters go to their corner and rest.

• There must be a referee at all times inside the ring during a fight to judge the conduct of both fighters.

•Both fighters must always where gloves and always have a mouth-guard. These are used in order for no serious damage to be done.

• If a fighter is knocked down during a bout, The referee will count to 10, and within this time the fighter must then stand back up on his own. If the fighter is unable to stand back up, the fighter standing wins.

•Fighters are not permitted to hit below the belt, or to the back of the head or neck known as a rabbit punch. These are known as illegal shots.

•Heavyweight unlimited

•Cruiserweight 200 lb / 90.7 kg

•Light Heavyweight 175 lb / 79.4 kg

•Super Middleweight 168 lb / 76.2 kg

•Middleweight 160 lb / 72.6 kg

•Super Welterweight 154 lb / 69.9 kg

•Welterweight 147 lb / 66.7 kg

•Super Lightweight 140 lb / 63.5 kg

•Lightweight 135 lb / 61.2 kg

•Super Featherweight 130 lb / 59.0 kg

•Featherweight 126 lb / 57.2 kg

•Super Bantamweight 122 lb / 55.3 kg

•Bantamweight 118 lb / 53.5 kg

•Super Flyweight 115 lb / 52.2 kg

•Flyweight 112 lb / 50.8 kg

•Junior Flyweight 108 lb / 49.0 kg

•Straw Weight 105 lb / 47.6 kg

CLASS

WEIGHT

JAB- A quick, straight punch from the defensive guard.

HOOK- A half circle punch which connects with the side of the head.

UPPERCUT- A rising punch from the fighter’s rear hand.

CROSS- A straight punch thrown across the body

ORTHODOX- Right handed fighter’s stance. Left foot and hand are brought forward

SOUTHPAW- Left Handed fighter’s stance. Right foot and hand are brought forward

•WBO (World Boxing Organisation)

•WBC (World Boxing Council)

•WBA (World Boxing Association)

•IBF (International Boxing Federation)

•British Boxing Board of Control

•Nevada State Athletic Commission

•American Association of Professional Ringside Physicians

•European Boxing Union

WBO CHAMPIONS-HEAVYWEIGHT: Wladimir Klitschko (since 2008)Defeated Samuel Peter via unanimous decision

CRUISERWEIGHT: Marco Huck (since 2009)Defeated Victor Emilio Ramirez via unanimous decision

LT. HEAVYWEIGHT: Nathan Cleverly (since 2011) Defeated Alesky Kuziemsky via TKO

MIDDLEWEIGHT: Dmitry Pirog (since 2010)Defeated Daniel Jacobs via TKO

WELTERWEIGHT: Manny Pacquiao (since 2009)Defeated Miguel Angel Cotto via TKO

LIGHTWEIGHT: Juan Manuel Maquez (since 2009)Defeated Juan Diaz via unanimous decision

WORLD BOXING HALL OF FAME

Notable Members-

•Ricardo “Finito” Lopez

•Henry Armstrong

•Jack Johnson

•Robert Duran

•George Foreman

INTERNATIONAL BOXING HALL OF FAME

Notable Members-

•Muhammed Ali

•Sugar Ray Robinson

•Benny Leonard

•Rocky Marciano

•Ricardo Lopez