The Basic Components of Boxing

Boxing is a type of combat sport that involves two people engaging in a fist fight. Professional and amateur are the two forms. The sport, which has been around since 688 BC, is widely practiced by adult men and women.

A referee supervises matches. Each match is a series of short intervals known as rounds. The result of a match is decided when an opponent is incapable of continuing as decided by a referee, if the opponent is disqualified for rule breaking, if they throw in the towel, or by judge scorecards.

Modern boxing stance differs from traditional stances. Nowadays, it is more upright and involves a vertically armed guard, instead of traditional stances that were horizontal and included knuckles-facing-forward guards. In a full, upright stance, a boxer stands with legs shoulder width apart; the rear foot is a half step in front. The feet are parallel with the one heel off the ground.

The four basic punches used in this sport include: jab, cross hook and uppercut. Most right-handed boxers lead with their left and use the right as the rear. Left-handed boxers do the reverse. For defense, a boxer may use footwork, clinching, cover-up, blocking, bobbing, slipping and pulling away. There are defensive positions, called guards or styles, which can be used as well. Guard examples: mix-boo, low guard, peek-a-boo, cross-armed and hitman.

There are variations of the sport, such as kickboxing, which originated in Japan. This sport is considered a form of martial arts and a stand-up combat sport. It involves kicking and punching techniques. Generally it is practiced as a contact sport, or for self-defense purposes or fitness exercise.

Although boxing can be a dangerous sport, it is widely practiced. Many men and women enjoy it for its fitness benefits. In addition to offering a total body workout, it teaches individuals how to fight or defend.