Boxing ranks among the Olympic Games' most illustrious sports.

When it first arrived in the Ancient Olympic Games, the tools of the trade were long strips of leather wrapped around boxers' fists. The fight continued until one man or the other went down or conceded. The Romans followed with a gladiator dimension. They used gloves studded with spikes or weighted with lead, and fights often ended in death, like other entertainment of the day.

When the modern Games resumed in 1896, the Athens organising committee omitted boxing, deciding it was too dangerous. The sport reappeared in 1904 in St. Louis, thanks to its popularity in the United States, then disappeared again in 1912 at Stockholm because Sweden's national law banned it.

Only in 1920 did boxing return to the Olympic Games to stay. Hence, Muhammad Ali (Cassius Clay at the time) and Teofilo Stevenson (a three-time gold medallist) could join names like Theagenes of Thassos and Cleitomachus of Thebes among the legends.

Discipline's origin

Boxing has a long sporting history. The earliest evidence of boxing is found in Egypt around 3000 BC. The sport was introduced to the Olympic Games by the Greeks in the late 7th century BC. Greek boxers used thongs of soft leather to bind their hands and forearms for protection. Later, in Rome, the leather thongs were exchanged for the cestus which was studded with metal. Gladiatorial boxing matches usually ended with the death of one contestant. With the fall of the Roman Empire the history of boxing ends until reference to matches are once again found in 17th century English records.

Organised amateur boxing began in 1880. The sport has grown from the rudiments based on the rules of professional boxing at the turn of the century to having its own identity, visibility and set of rules. Originally only three weight classes were contested. Although boxing can be traced back to ancient Greece and the original Olympic Games, boxing was not included in the first modern Olympic Games in 1896 because its popularity had become limited to the United States.

Olympic history

The United States of America won all the medals when boxing made its debut on the Olympic programme during the 1904 Olympic Games in Saint Louis. Not surprisingly, the United States was the only team to enter the boxing competition! Boxing was not included in the 1912 Olympic Games in Stockholm because Swedish law prohibited boxing. In 1950 the AIBA Congress decided to have no contests for the bronze medal. It has thus been the practice since the 1952 Olympic Games in Helsinki that the losers of the semi-final are both ranked as placing third. In 1952 both third place finishers were only awarded diplomas. In 1956 this was changed and bronze medals are now given to both third place finishers.

A more recent change to the rules and regulations occurred at the 1984 Olympic Games in Los Angeles when the compulsory wearing of head guards was introduced. An electronic scoring machine to make judges' officiating more objective was also introduced in 1992. Now only blows registered within one second by at least three of five judges are taken into account.

Boxing equippment

Apron

The part of the ring canvas outside the ropes.

Canvas

The floor of the ring.

Mouthpiece

A form-fitted appliance placed in a boxer's mouth to protect his teeth and gums; also called a "gumshield".

Headguard

A protective device worn by boxers which covers most of the head, except the face.

Ring

An enclosure where boxing takes place.

Rules

Rounds

A. World, Olympic and Continental Championships and Tournaments. In World, Olympic or Continental Championships or Tournaments, there shall be four rounds of two (2) minutes each. Stopping the contest for warnings, cautions, bringing the dress for equipment into order, or for any other reason, is not included in the two (2) minutes. A full one (1) minute rest period shall be given between the rounds. No additional round may be given.

B. International Contests. In International contests the rounds are normally the same as above, but if previously agreed, three (3) or four (4) rounds of three (3) minutes each or six (6) rounds of two (2) minutes each may be boxed. There shall always be a one (1) minute interval between rounds.

Fouls

Cautions, Warnings, Disqualifications. The competitor who does not obey the instructions of the Referee, acts a