Die Boxkunst

The sport of boxing was first held in 688 BC in Greece during the 23rd Ancient Olympic Games. In ancient Rome, boxing was primarily showcased during gladiatorial contests (using leather straps with metal spikes) known as Caestus. Boxing was also a part of rituals and ceremonies in ancient India, China, Korea, and Russia, as well as among the indigenous peoples of the Americas and Africa. The first (minimal) rules of modern boxing were established by the fencing master James Figg. In 1719, Figg won the first official boxing tournament since antiquity and became the champion of England. In 1743, the first major set of rules (Broughton Rules) was published, which is sometimes considered the first version of the London Prize Ring Rules (in a broader sense). It became prohibited to strike an opponent who was on the ground, and low blows were also banned.