Issue 091
August 2012
Your buddies may say they’re boxing fans, but how much do they actually know about the sweet science? FO looks at one of MMA’s four pillars...
1. Old school
Boxing has been around for an incredibly long time, but how long exactly? Well the first piece of evidence of people boxing with gloves on dates as far back as 900–1500BC. Those people were the Minoan Cretes. We wonder how good their footwork was at the time...
2. Banned boxing
What do boxing and alcohol have in common? Yes, we both know that a few shots in both regards will make you act a bit funny, but the big thing they have in common is they were both banned at one point in time. In the 19th century, it was outlawed in England and the majority of the United States.
3. The Marquess Of Queensberry Rules
For such an aggressive sport, that involves men punching one another in the face and the body, you’d think the rules would have a more intimidating name. But modern boxing regulations are named after the ‘Marquess of Queensberry’ after John Douglas, the 9th Marquess of Queensbury, endorsed the rules in public. However, the rules were actually written by a sportsman called John Graham Chambers.
4. Use your head
Much like in MMA, amateur rules differentiate from professional rules in boxing. In MMA, most amateur rule-sets stop fighters from doing such things as heel hooks, elbows to the head and so
on. In boxing, amateurs have to wear headgear and vests and score only by landing clean punches connected with the knuckle part of the glove – often painted white.
5. Style within a style
If you think that all boxers fight in the same style you’re wrong. Boxing encompasses a variety of different styles. Floyd Mayweather Jr is a ‘counterpuncher’, whilst Manny Pacquiao would be considered a ‘boxer-puncher’.
6. Forever remembered
One thing boxing has over MMA is a Hall of Fame. Of course, there’s a UFC Hall of Fame, but there are many fighters who never fought in the UFC that deserve recognition. Legends such as Muhammad Ali, Roberto Duran, Sugar Ray Robinson and George Foreman have all been inducted into one of their sport’s HOFs.
7. The sweet science on film
Boxing has had some fantastic films based around it. From the legendary Rocky (1976), to The Boxer (1997) to most recently, Oscar-winner The Fighter (2010). However, documentaries are where boxing has really made an impact, with such classics as When We Were Kings (1996) showing some of the most historic moments in boxing history. Essential viewing for all fight fans.
8. Even being champ doesn’t mean you’re the best
One of the problems that truly hinders boxing is the fact there are so many champions attached to different promotions, that no-one really knows who is the best. People argue who is better between Mayweather Jr and Pacquiao but it’s unlikely we’ll find out because of behind-the-scenes politics and them not being under the same promotion.
9. Mama said knock you out...
Admittedly a head kick from Anthony Pettis looks 10 times more dangerous than getting repeatedly punched by Miguel Cotto, but it’s a well known sentiment that boxing is more dangerous than MMA. Obviously in MMA, if you get knocked out, your time in the cage is done. In boxing, you can come back after three knockdowns if you prove you can fight. Who would come back to take a few more punches from Mike Tyson, though?
10. MMA and boxing unified
Many people consider the 1976 fight between legendary boxer Muhammad Ali and former Japanese wrestling star Antonio Inoki to be the first MMA bout. Ali only managed to land six punches in the 15 rounds that the two fought, with Inoki landing so many leg kicks it would make José Aldo proud.
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