Boxing History

The origin and historical development of boxing is a very interesting and multifaceted process. Its roots go back to ancient civilizations.

Ancient Civilizations

The oldest forms of boxing date back to 3,000 BC in Mesopotamia and later in ancient Egypt. However, the development of boxing as a sport took place mainly in ancient Greece and Rome. Boxing was added as part of the ancient Olympic Games in 688 BC. The rules of boxing during this period were quite different from modern boxing, for example, boxers did not wear gloves and there were no round limits.

Middle Ages and Later Periods

In the Middle Ages, combat sports such as boxing were less popular, but in the 16th century England saw a revival. Called "bare-knuckle boxing", gloves were not used and the rules were very limited.

The Formation of Modern Boxing

At the beginning of the 19th century, the foundation of modern boxing rules was laid. Introduced by Jack Broughton in 1743 to protect athletes from injury, these rules were later known as the London Prize Ring Rules. In 1867, the Marquess of Queensberry Rules, drawn up by John Graham Chambers, further regulated boxing, mandating the wearing of gloves and limiting the time of rounds, making the sport safer and more organized.

20th Century and Present Time

In the 20th century, boxing became popular worldwide and was recognized as a national sport in many countries. Radio and televised fights further increased the sport's popularity. Boxing became a permanent part of the Olympic Games, and women's boxing was also gradually recognized, becoming an official event at the Olympic Games in 2012.

The historical development of boxing reflects its adaptability to changes in society and the interaction of different cultures. Each era has added its own characteristics to the sport, and the modern boxing we see today has been shaped by these historical processes.