The Term “Boxing”

Boxing:

Athletic contest between two persons, each of whom uses the fists to try to knock the other unconscious or to inflict enough punishment to cause the opponent either to quit or to be judged beaten.

A boxing match is conducted under established rules and procedures and has a referee, judges, and timekeeper. The primary aim of each participant is to strike blows to the head and torso of the opponent that will knock down and render the boxer incapable of rising to a standing position and defending himself within 10 seconds.

Originally the term prizefighting was used when money was at stake, but the term professional boxing now bears the same meaning. Amateur boxing refers to bouts in which prize money is not at stake.

The term pugilism (from Latin pugil, meaning “a boxer”) is sometimes used for the sport.