Boxing is a standup striking art also known as pugilism where fighters only use their hands to strike each other. Boxing is one of the most popular combat sports in the world and one of the most popular sports in general. There are gyms around the globe from New York City to South Africa teaching the sweet science. In this Combat Athlete Gear blog post, we’ll cover the history of boxing, its health benefits, famous boxers, and more!
The history of boxing
Boxing’s history is long and storied with roots going back even further than the ancient Greek Olympics. Early human beings were not foreign to hand-to-hand combat and boxing, at its core, has been highly effective for people to use in conflict free of weapons.
Over the years, boxing has evolved and branched out into different forms like kickboxing. Today’s boxing rules are purely limited to striking opponents only with hands with defense being highly reliant on using head movement, footwork, and an active boxing guard.
The combat sport has not seemed to lose any momentum over the last several decades. There are amateur and professional boxers competing around the world. There are also hobbyist who workout at boxing gyms for the health benefits and to learn self-defense.
is boxing effective for weight loss?
Boxing is a great workout that helps people lose weight, build new muscle, increase core strength, while improving their cardiovascular system. Boxing is also an effective way for people to improve their flexibility, hand-eye coordination and more.
Is boxing effective for self-defense?
Boxing is an effective martial art for self-defense. It teaches practitioners how to maintain distance to avoid taking damage. Boxing is practical and doesn’t require a great deal of athleticism for someone to do things like throw jabs and use head movement. Sparring teaches people how to still think and react while getting hit which is a valuable skill to have in physical altercations.
Famous boxers
As boxing has grown in popularity, so has the fame and legendary status of its top fighters. Below is a list of some of the top male boxers and top female boxers in the world. Each individual boxer has made their own impact in the world of boxing. Some of them like Holly Holm have success in other sports like MMA while others have transcended the sport like Muhammad Ali.
Famous female boxers
Famous male boxers
- Muhammad Ali
- Tyson Fury
- Floyd Mayweather
- Manny Pacquaio
- Canelo Alvarez
- Anthony Joshua
- Mike Tyson
- Gennady Golovkin
Which of the fighters listed above have you heard of? Have you watched any of their full fights or highlights? Let us know in the comments below!
Basic boxing terminology
Here’s a quick list of terms you should know whether you’re a boxer or a fan boxing:
- Jab: A straight punch thrown with the lead hand
- Cross: A straight punch thrown with the rear hand
- Straight punches: Jabs and crosses
- Hook: Punch that is thrown with the arm bent at an angle near 90 degrees that can be thrown at the head or body
- Uppercut: Punch that follows a vertical line from the ground up
- Round: The period of active time in a boxing match where both fighters are engaged
- Gloves: Cushioned equipment used by boxers that cover their hands
Go train!
Now that you know more about boxing, find a gym and start training! Boxing is a skill that can be learned over time. You don’t need to have prior martial arts experience to get started. As you consistently train over time, your overall health will improve and you will gain new skills that will also help you improve your self-confidence.