-
The First Recorded Boxing Match
Recorded in Britain, the first recorded boxing match took place when Christopher Monck, 2nd Duke of Albermarle (and later Lieutenant Governor of Jamaica) orchestrated a duel between his butcher and butler. (https://www.cismeurope.org/history-boxing/)
(https://www.npg.org.uk/collections/search/portrait/mw61773/Christopher-Monck-2nd-Duke-of-Albemarle) -
The First Prizefighting Champion
For the first time in the history of prizefighting, James Figgs was documented as the first English bare-knuckle fighting champion. (https://www.cismeurope.org/history-boxing/)(http://mikerendell.com/james-figg-the-father-of-modern-boxing-died-7th-december-1734/) -
Broughton's Rules
Before in early fighting, there were no written rules regarding weight divisions, round limits, or referees. It wasn’t until the first boxing rules, also known as Broughton’s rules, were introduced by fighting champion Jack Broughton to protect fighters in the ring as it was common for serious injuries and deaths to occur. (https://www.pugilistgear.com/category-s/138.htm) (https://www.mullocksauctions.co.uk/lot-710043-scarce_1743_broughtons_rules_boxing_broadside.html) -
The Boxing Ring
The London Prize Rules constructed regulations that required fighters to compete in a square ring cordoned off by ropes. This was established to protect attending spectators from interference and injuries. The ring was to measure 7.3 meters (or 24 feet). (http://historyofsports.net/page.php?id=5) (https://www.turbosquid.com/3d-models/3d-model-old-boxing-ring/660441) -
Mandatory Boxing Gloves
In the past, many boxing matches would be bare-knuckled. When the Long Prize Ring regulations went into effect, only some boxers began wearing gloves. It wasn’t until 1867 where it became mandated for fighters to wear gloves by the Marquess of Queensberry Rules. (http://historyofsports.net/page.php?id=5) (https://www.istockphoto.com/vector/boxing-gloves-crushing-gm535517717-57405242) -
Introduction to the Summer Olympics
Boxing officially made its debut in the summer Olympic games of 1904 in St. Louis, Mo. Both men and women’s boxing was introduced. Men’s boxing was accepted into the Olympics, but women’s boxing was not until later on. (https://www.wnyc.org/story/183864-history-womens-boxing/)
(https://www.britannica.com/event/St-Louis-1904-Olympic-Games)
(https://www.olympic.org/st-louis-1904) -
First African American Heavyweight Champion
Jack Johnson was the first African-American boxer to win the world heavyweight crown when he knocked out the reigning champ, Tommy Burns. He opened the door of other minorities when he made boxing history as one of the greatest heavyweights of all time. (https://www.biography.com/athlete/jack-johnson)
(https://www.britannica.com/biography/Jack-Johnson) -
National Boxing Association
The National Boxing Association (NBA) became the first “sanctioning body” to govern over the sport as it ranked fighters and arranged matches between champions. Thirty-five years later, the NBA would change its name to World Boxing Association (WBA) to receive more recognition for boxing worldwide. (https://www.wbaboxing.com/wba-history/world-boxing-association-history#.XZREhkZKg2x)
(https://www.maxim.com.au/archives/4472)
(http://fightclubamerica.com/about/history-of-boxing/) -
First Nationally Televised Female Fight
Barbara Buttrick is recorded to be the first female boxer to have a fight broadcasted on national television. The fight between Barbara Buttrick and Joann Hagen drew 1,200 boxing fans. She paved the path for awareness. (https://www.wnyc.org/story/183864-history-womens-boxing/)
(http://www.wbanmember.com/barbara-buttricks-fight-televised-1954/)
(https://www.boxingnewsonline.net/barbara-buttrick-the-original-trailblaser/) -
Rocky Film
American boxing film, Rocky, was the highest-grossing movie in 1976. It was nominated for 10 Academy Awards and won three. Recognized as influential as its themes of self-belief and overcoming physical and psychological obstacles are timeless and universal. (https://www.britannica.com/topic/Rocky-film-by-Avildsen)
(https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2679464-rocky-turns-40-a-look-back-at-the-most-influential-boxing-movie-ever)
(https://bcmoviediary.com/2018/05/12/rocky-1976-rocky-ii-1979/) -
Youngest Heavyweight Champion of the World
American former professional boxer, Michael Gerard Tyson, competed from 1985 to 2005. At age 20, he became the youngest heavyweight boxing champion of the world in 1986. He held the title for 20 years, fourth months, and 22 days old. (https://www.biography.com/athlete/mike-tyson)
(https://www.britannica.com/biography/Mike-Tyson\)
(https://bcmoviediary.com/2018/05/12/rocky-1976-rocky-ii-1979/) -
Women in Olympics
Women’s boxing became an official Olympic sport at the London 2012 Games. Three golds were handed in women’s flyweight, lightweight and middleweight divisions. (https://www.britannica.com/sports/boxing/Women-in-boxing)
(https://bleacherreport.com/articles/1291124-olympic-boxing-2012-results-complete-mens-and-womens-medal-winners)
(https://www.teamusa.org/News/2015/October/23/Meet-The-US-Womens-Boxers-Who-Could-Punch-Their-Tickets-To-Rio)
