Boxing throughout history

The origins of boxing

It all begins in Antiquity

5000 years BC, men were already challenging each other to duels. Archaeological traces of struggle have also been found in Mesopotamia, North Africa, Egypt and Greece, in the 2nd millennium BC. 

Works of art from Sumerian and Egyptian civilizations dating back more than 3000 BC have also been found. 

The ancestor of boxing: pugilism

Boxing, like all words in the French language, has evolved over time. Originally, this activity was called “pugilism”, or “pankration”. These terms are, in a way, the ancestors of boxing. 

Invented by the Greeks, these two activities are different from each other. Pankration is closer to the wrestling we know, or MMA. In this sport, all hits are allowed, except biting and fingers in the eyes, of course. The fighters are then naked and without any protection. 

We therefore consider that it is more boxing that is the ancestor of boxing, particularly because this practice only includes fists. But be careful, like everything, time has taken its course and between pugilism and modern boxing, there are many differences.  

Pugilism very quickly became a national sport in Ancient Greece. However, the violence of boxing matches, due in particular to the particularly brutal equipment, led the practice of boxing to be abolished under the Roman Empire. Decision which will take effect for 1000 years.   

The codes of boxing at its origin

Since Antiquity and in all its forms, boxing has been practiced in rings, in defined spaces. At that time, it was just sticks placed on the ground to define the boundaries of the combat zone. 

As for protections, only professional fighters were equipped with them at that time. The champions wear, in particular, protective helmets. 

When it comes to hand protection, history is full of evolution and change. Originally, fighting took place with bare hands. Then, the cest made its appearance: it is a strap reinforced with lead, with which pugilists surround their hands. The goal was to hit harder without getting hurt, however, the damage to the opponent was terrible. 

History of English boxing 

More than 1000 years after its abolition, pugilism reappeared in England, under the name “English boxing”, with a few additional innovations. Among all types of boxing that exist today, English boxing is the one that has been practiced for the longest.

The father of English boxing

James Figg, English fencer and boxer, is the first figure in boxing who practiced the discipline with bare hands, from 1719 to 1730. Presented as the father of modern boxing, James Figg practiced a mixture of boxing, wrestling and fencing. 

In 1719, Figg established his own boxing and fencing school. Then in 1730, he trained his three protégés in boxing: Bob Whittaker, Jack Broughton and George Taylor. They will then promote this sport. 

Passing the torch

Jack Broughton is notably known for being the first boxer to codify and develop a set of rules applicable during duels, in 1743. These rules were called, at that time, the London Prize Ring Rules. 

As you will have understood, boxing is a popular sporting activity, considered a noble art. But why is it called “noble art”?

The reason is simple. This is because boxing transmits the values considered noble at the time: courage, cunning, strategic sense, sense of honor, and combativeness.

Violence is still lacking

During the 1800s, despite the emergence of boxing in England, the violence of the sport was poorly perceived. Boxing is considered brutal. It therefore ended up being declared illegal in England. 

Then in 1838, the London Prize Ring Rules were adjusted to become the Marquess of Queensbury Rules. Boxing is being practiced again, with stricter rules, with the aim of limiting the brutality of the activity.

And where is boxing in France?

In France, at that time, there was no “English boxing”. However, combat sports exist. Around the 17th century, savate was practiced in France. This term represents a face-to-face combat sport, involving only the use of kicks. 

The codes of English boxing

After all the abolition of the practice and the controversies, padded gloves finally appear. In the 18th century, Jack Broughton invented the first boxing gloves, called “muffles”. These are used to secure the hands, to avoid serious injuries. However, the muffles were only used by students. Professional boxers always boxed with their bare hands. 

The long history of boxing has allowed choices to be made over time about what to keep and what to modify. Some of the fighting techniques used in Antiquity were quickly banned, such as hand-to-hand combat, choking, blows on a helpless opponent, as well as ending the fight only if one of the boxers is on the ground. 

Also, it was during the era of James Figg and Jack Broughton that the foundation of boxing changed. Before them, attack was the only action adopted. But dodging and defense take place in more strategic boxing, where the winner is no longer necessarily the heaviest. This new way of fighting arrives with the emergence of scientific reasoning.  

The evolution of boxing rules

Jack Broughton introduced the following rules in 1743: 

• If a boxer is knocked down and does not get up after 30 seconds, the fight is declared over; 
• Attacking a boxer already on the ground, or below the waist, is strictly prohibited; 
• Fights last as many rounds as it takes for a fighter to drop to one knee or collapse. 

Then in 1838, the London Prize Ring Rules were adjusted to become the Marquess of Queensbury Rules. These 16 new rules require the wearing of boxing gloves, rounds of a maximum of 3 minutes, and the counting of 10 seconds granted to the boxer placed on the ground before declaration of defeat. Then English boxing is only practiced with punches.

Finally, the boxing categories appear. According to their weight, fighters are divided into categories and they can only fight with people in that same category.  

Modern boxing today 

The big names in boxing

The boxing we know today is bathed in the influence of great champions and the culture representing boxing fights and the famous punch. 

The very first Olympic champion in the discipline was Onomastus of Smyrna. He won his title in 688 BC and paved the way for many others. 

One of the best known from this period is Weaver of NAxos, crowned 4 times boxing champion at the Olympic Games: in 572, 568, 564, 560, BC. 

Beyond the exploits of Jack Broughton, let's talk about Daniel Mendoza. Known under the name Dan Mendoza, this English professional boxer captured the title of champion of England from 1792 to 1795. A great innovator, he developed his own style of boxing, characterized as learned, elegant and innovative. 

The champions from the 20th century are as follows: Mohammed Ali, Mike Tyson, Rocky Marciano, Floyd Mayweather Jr., Rocky Marciano, George Foreman, Jake LaMotta, and Joe Frazier. In terms of culture, many films have transmitted the art of boxing, over the years and until today, such as “Rocky Balboa”. 

Modern equipment:

Boxers are now well protected, both for their own protection and that of their opponent. 

Required equipment, from most essential to least important: 

• Bandages and undergloves;
• Quilted protective gloves;
• Boxing shoes or shoes adapted to the sport;
• The mouth guard;
• The head protection helmet;
• The shell for men.  

The expansion of boxing, from the 20th century to today

English boxing set foot in France in the 20th century, under the influence of Franck Erne, double Swiss boxing world champion.

In the United States and Great Britain, boxing is more than a sport. Very quickly, this sport becomes a means of expression and a way of fighting for one's opinions.

Guided by the desire to free themselves from segregation, the black community uses boxing as a means of expressing their freedom. One of the figures who drove this movement was Jack Johnson, the world heavyweight champion, from 1908 to 1915.

Today, boxing is a fashionable sport. Between 2015 and 2016, the number of licenses purchased increased by 17%, which reflects the popularity enjoyed by boxing in France. 

Boxing: an activity in perpetual evolution

New concepts are emerging day by day, to offer ever more boxing styles. At Le Cercle in Paris, for example, you can practicing English boxing, combined with muscle strengthening, in an energetic soundscape, in a dark room.