Boxing - Then and Now

One of the favorite sports of North Americans is boxing. In fact it's still growing in popularity. Many other countries also have a number of boxing organizations.

Boxing has along lineage historians have traced it as far back as 4000 BC to the empires of Rome and Greece. Boxing known by other name back then, seems to have been a much rougher and brutal game than now.

In fact there is some evidence showing that participants often fought until one opponent was dead. Spectators encouraged the fighters to use their fists and metal spikes. Today boxing is safer as stringent regulations have been established to control the sport and protect the fighters.

Gloves are required for both amateurs and professionals. There are no longer any spikes used, and scores are kept by computer to determine the winners. Boxers wear special head-gear for their protection as well. In actuality, even though regulated, boxing is one of the few hand-to-hand sports still in existence.

Boxers nowadays are given special skilled training which makes the match between two worth opponents an exciting one to watch. They both battle it out for the trophy.

You will find it hard to believe that the sport that is so popular in North America was not so till 1800's. Nowadays it is Americans who are at the top of most International boxing competitions.

Not only men are adept at the sport of boxing, women have stepped center ring and have become as experienced as the men. Women have yet to find a place in the Olympics, but this can't be far behind.

In most cases professional boxers began as amateurs. Some well known names who have engaged in this sport are George Forman, Leon Spinks, Muhammad Ali, Floyd Patterson and Oscar de la Hoya.

There are some differences between amateur and professional boxing matches. The pros fight for anywhere from four to fifteen rounds, with the average being twelve. Amateur matches consist of three rounds.

In boxing match if an opponent is knocked out, doesn't get up after even 10 seconds, it results in an automatic win for the other. But if this is not the case then a judge decides the winner on the basis of points.

In the fast paced modern life more and more people are turning towards boxing. People from all ages are becoming its students not only to fight but also to remain fit and healthy and deal with the stress and worries of life.

Men more than women are armchair boxers and continue to make the sport a popular one to watch.