The sport of boxing started when two individuals engaged in a fight using their fists. The Greeks are believed to be the first to formalize the sport during the Olympic Games in 688 BC. During the Roman era, the sport of boxing became increasingly popular and boxers wore leather bands around their fists for protection. Some of these bands contained metal strips that caused significant injuries to either opponent.

After the fall of Rome, the sport was not as popular, but was revived in the 18th century when James Figg held the heavyweight title for over 20 years. In the Industrial Revolution the game was known as the workingman?s sport with matches resembling street fights, rather than an organized event. In 1773, English born Jack Broughton became the second heavyweight champion. The bouts became more organized at that point and rules and regulations came into play. Hitting below the belt was banned, and matches were decided using the point system. The bouts were held in a ring with spectators sitting around the squared off area – much like today’s fights.

Today, boxing competition is divided into a set number of rounds, three minutes long with a one-minute rest period between each round. Championship bouts usually last for 12 rounds, but because there is no real governing body, rules vary from state to state in the US. Judges determine the winner using scorecards as the fight goes on. There is a referee who determines if illegal moves are made or if a fighter is too injured to continue the match. In some cases, the referee calls a “knockout” when an opponent has been knocked down or knocked out.

Boxing training for fitness includes practicing punching drills and combinations, either on a partner wearing punch mitts, or one of the various styles of punch bags. Then these get blended together with the aerobic, anaerobic and plyometric exercises involved in a typical boxers training session, to give you an excellent all round workout. Remember too that every single boxer out there will have started from ground level and steadily improved their fitness to where they are today, so anyone and everyone can quickly work their way up to a good level of fitness: whatever your size, age or sex. Complete a boxing style training session three times a week, and i guarantee that you’ll be fitter than you’ve EVER been before, within three months,

These boxing training classes improve your speed and resistance, plus flexibility and the reflexes of the muscles are also greatly enhanced. The physical benefits you will get from boxing style training are just one of the many gains that you will receive though. You will learn about self defence mechanism skills, which can also be very useful if you find yourself in an unpleasant situation sometime. Learning the proper execution of the punch combinations, the boxers stance and footwork, proper defence, etc, will also make you feel so much more confident.

Sports behavioural studies have shown that the training techniques adopted by boxers using punch bags and sparring, lead to superior decision making skills. Unlike asymmetrical sports such as tennis and golf, your body improves evenly on both sides using boxing style training, helping to reduce postural misalignment problems. It is estimated that boxing is 70%-80% anaerobic (high-intensity) and 20%-30% aerobic. So the training increases stamina in the heart and lungs. Strengthens muscles – Boxing training also improves muscle strength required for everyday activities, as well as the ‘fast twitch’ muscle fibres required for shorter, more explosive movements

Boxing training is a great way to do that, making you feel calm as all the aggression is very channelled and controlled. Even though there is no physical contact, it enables you to feel in control of your body and more confident about protecting yourself if you are required to. Many people don’t fully appreciate that boxing training is all about discipline, and it’s a great way to increase that in other areas of your life, too, such as drinking and eating. Training stimulates your mind and boosts your self belief. So it’s also great for children, as it also helps build self esteem and respect in young people who may be bullied or lack physical confidence.