Boxing live

Boxing – rules

Boxing is a combat sport, considered one of the oldest sports in the world. It was known in ancient times, in Greece and Rome. In the ring, two fighters battle each other, throwing punches with their hands in gloves (gloves have been used only since the beginning of the 20th century, previously fights were fought with bare fists - the rules of modern boxing were formulated by the Englishman John Graham Chambers). The winner is the one who scores more points - depending on whether it is professional or amateur boxing, judges award points for the fight itself or based on the number of punches landed on the opponent. Victory can also be achieved by knockout (commonly known as KO), which is a punch that renders the opponent unable to continue the fight (or if they sustain an injury, it is called a technical knockout). The rules in boxing are precisely defined: you cannot hit with the elbow, arm, head, open hand, wrist, below the belt, in the kidneys, back, or the back of the head. You also cannot hold the opponent and hit them, have your head below the opponent's belt, or hit a downed opponent. Disqualification can be expected for severe fouls. Boxing is an Olympic discipline, and professionals do not compete in the Olympics.

Boxing weight categories 

Boxers fight in their weight categories (they are weighed before fights). Over the years, weight categories in boxing have often changed. Currently, there are usually 11 weight categories in amateur boxing (sometimes 10, not counting featherweight as a separate weight) and up to 17 in professional boxing. Traditionally, the most interest and prestige is associated with the heavyweight division. 

Boxers – well-known stars of the sport 

Boxing evokes emotions - just look at how many films have been made, often great ones, about boxers. Many of them were inspired by the careers of the greatest stars of this sport. It is impossible to list them all, but some of the biggest stars include: Rocky Marciano, Muhammad Ali, Joe Frazier, George Foreman, Mike Tyson, Evander Holyfield, Lennox Lewis, Vitali Klitschko, Sugar Ray Leonard, Jake LaMotta, Joe Louis.

Professional boxing and amateur boxing differ quite a bit 

Firstly, in amateur boxing there is a division into weight categories (which are fewer than in professional boxing) and age categories - in professional boxing you must be at least 23 years old. The way points are scored is completely different - in amateur boxing, judges use computers and electronics to score each accurately landed punch, while in professional boxing judges award points for each round, which are then summed up (if necessary - knockouts are relatively common in professional boxing). Amateurs currently fight in 4 rounds of 2 minutes each, whereas previously it was 3 rounds of 3 minutes. Professional boxing requires much more effort, fights are contracted for a specific number of three-minute rounds - usually between 10 and 15. The breaks between rounds in professional boxing are also shorter. There is only one world/continental/olympic champion in amateur boxing, while in professional boxing there are 3 separate major organizations that award their own championship titles allowing the wearer to carry a championship belt - these are the WBA, WBC, and WBO. Therefore, in a given category there can be 3 different champions at the same time (but there can also be one who wins in all federations, like Mike Tyson for example).

Live boxing – an exciting spectacle 

Boxing enthusiasts can easily fill their calendars with live broadcasts - there are numerous amateur tournaments, boxing events, and professional fights in three different federations (not to mention Thai boxing, Burmese boxing, Chinese boxing, and boxing for women). Live boxing broadcasts often appear on various television channels around the world, and are also frequently available online - it's worth checking the schedule of upcoming fights and their availability on our website. 

Women's boxing – becoming increasingly popular 

It is known that women were already fighting in the ring in the early 18th century, but these matches were illegal for a long time. It wasn't until the end of the 20th century that boxing federations gave the green light to women. In 2012, women's boxing became an Olympic discipline. Fights in 6 categories will take place in Paris. Professional women's boxing is also thriving. However, there are certain differences - rounds last only 2 minutes and there can't be more than 10 (otherwise no federation will count the fight). Women wear additional chest protectors (chest guards), and fights are prohibited when a fighter is pregnant.