If you are looking to build up a collection of boxing memorabilia it is important to know what’s what when it comes to the world of boxing. As boxing is an ancient sport, with some of the modern rules dating back to the 1800′s there is a lot of history to be aware of. If you have a genuine passion for the sport then the chances are that you will already have a certain level of knowledge but it doesn’t help to improve on this. Boxing is one of the most popular sports around the world; therefore there is a wealth of memorabilia available for you to make a collection from.

If you want to form a collection that represents boxing’s rich history then you should look to seek out some of the early trading cards that depicted some of the true greats of the sports. Legends such as Frank Bruno, Mike Tyson, George Foreman and Muhammad Ali to name but a few. You can also choose to collect memorabilia from more modern day athletes but these pieces generally won’t be as valuable as the older stuff.

Educate yourself in the different decades in boxing history as this will help you to be able to know what to include in your collection. You should also do some research into boxing memorabilia in general so that you will be able to spot a good bargain or a valuable piece. This will also ensure that you won’t get ripped off with extortionate prices. From your research you will then be able to determine what is deemed collectible for a particular period in boxing. You don’t just have to focus on the athletes either but you can also collect memorabilia about the National Boxing Association which formed in the early 1920′s. You could also focus on the history that affected the sport as a whole; it is entirely up to you and what interests you the most.

If you are starting out with a collection then you should start with some small items. You can purchase action photos and trading cards quite easily on the collecting market. You can also branch out by collecting pieces of eclectic boxing memorabilia. You can find more abstract items online, at sports conventions and antique shops. Once you have built up quite a collection you should try to divide it up into sections. You can divide your items by weight class, origin of boxer or win by knockout, whatever best suits your collection. You may also want to think about how to display your pieces in the best way possible. You may need to make some space on a shelf or on top of a cabinet or you could invest in a specially designed glass cabinet to show off the full potential of your collection.

In ancient Greece and Rome,it was quite normal for boxing, wrestling and weaponry to make up part of a young man’s education. The Romans turned boxing into a more brutal sport by making the event into a gladiatorial competition. During this era, boxers covered their arms and hands with leather thongs called “cestus”. The forerunner of today’s’ boxing gloves.Modern day boxing can be traced back to the 1904 St Louis USA Olympics, when the USA won 7 gold medals, before 1904 boxing was considered to dangerous, the 1908 Olympics was the first time for the sport in the UK with England winning 5 gold medals.

UK Boxing History: First Heavyweight Champ First Boxing Gloves First Rules

Boxing events declined and finally disappeared during the fall of the Roman Empire around 5th century AD and was not revived until 1660 by English monarchy. The first printed record of a staged boxing match appeared in a newspaper in 1681. The most notable icon of boxing history during this era is James Figg – who become the first British heavyweight champion of 1719. He was also the pioneer of “sparring exhibitions” and founded numerous amphitheaters for boxing.

James Figg died around 1740 but left behind his favorite pupil named George Taylor who later became the successor of Figg’s title. However, it was in 1734 that a man named Jack Broughton completely revolutionized the sport by formulating the first codes of the game known as the “London Prize Ring Rules of 1743″ and inventing the first boxing gloves.

Jack Broughton is known in boxing history as the “Father of Boxing Rules”. He formulated the rule that no fighter can hit below the waist or while his opponent is down, which ensured that no more fatalities during bouts would occur. These first rules of boxing remained the standard regulations until it was revised in 1838.

Revised Rules And Boxing History Worldwide

Jack Broughton London Prize Ring Rules of 1743 had an update in 1838 to include additional rules to protect boxers, these included rules for bordering of ropes to 24-foot-square rings. And rules covering knocked downs, a boxer has to rise without anyone’s help within 30 seconds for the fight to continue. The new rules also forbid head butting, biting and “hitting below the belt” which would now be classed as fouls.

During the early 19th century, the influence of religious movements and reforms as well as the rise of the middle class gave a negative effect on how people approved of boxing. As a result, various laws against boxing were passed and law enforcements began stopping bouts. The judge prosecutes all people who were involved with prizefights.

Due to the restrictions enforced over boxers in the United Kingdom, many British boxers immigrated to the United States to find a new place to defend their titles. From the immigrants’ influence, boxing history in the United States dramatically became popular when an English boxer was set to fight an American boxer.

The first heavyweight world championships took place on April 17 of 1860 at the Farnborough, England. The match was between the British champion Tom Sayers and a popular American boxer known as John Camel Heenan. The fight lasted for 120 minutes of continuous action, but paused in the 37th round when the crowd rushed forward into the ring. After another five rounds of bashing, the world championship ended with a draw – each fighter receiving a championship belt for world title.