The ever-popular men’s Boxing events are joined on the Olympic programme by women’s events for the first time.
Boxing featured at the original Olympic Games in the 7th century BC, when opponents fought with strips of leather wrapped around their fists. The sport’s regulations were codified in 1867 as the Marquess of Queensberry Rules, named in honour of the nobleman who endorsed them. The essence of these rules is still in place today, governing this exciting and dramatic Olympic sport.
Saturday 28 July – Sunday 12 August
13: 10 men’s weight categories; three women’s weight categories.
286: 250 men and 36 women
Each country is limited to one athlete in each weight category.
The boxing ring is 6.1m x 6.1m inside the ropes, which are 1.32m high.
Since the first Olympic Boxing competition in St Louis 1904, many of the sport’s biggest names have come to prominence at the Games: Cassius Clay (later known as Muhammad Ali; 1960), George Foreman (1968) and Oscar de la Hoya (1992) have all won Olympic gold in the past.
Find out more about Boxing at the Olympic Games on the International Olympic Committee website.
The Olympic Boxing competition will feature 10 men’s weight categories, from Light Fly Weight (46-49kg) to Super Heavy Weight (over 91kg). Women’s Boxing will feature as a full Olympic medal event for the first time, with medals in three weights: Fly Weight (48-51kg), Light Weight (57-60kg) and Middle Weight (69-75kg).
Men’s bouts take place over three rounds of three minutes each; women’s bouts are four rounds of two minutes each. Boxers score points for every punch they land successfully on their opponent’s head or upper body.
If a boxer is knocked to the ground and fails to get up within a count of 10 from the referee, the bout is over. Bouts can also be won or lost due to retirement or disqualification. A referee can also decide to stop the fight at any point if they think a boxer is unfit to continue.
For a complete set of rules, please refer to the website of the International Boxing Association (AIBA), the governing body for the sport.
Both the men’s and women’s Boxing events are run in a single elimination format. The draws for the men’s weight categories contain either 16, 26 or 28 boxers, depending on the category. The women start with a draw of 16 or at the quarter-final stage.
The winners of the two semi-finals in each weight category compete for the gold medal. The losers of the semi-finals are each awarded a bronze.
A referee is in the ring with the two boxers. The wellbeing of the boxer is the primary concern of the referee, who also ensures that all hits are legal, provides the count when a boxer is down, and has the power to stop the fight at any time.
Five judges sit at the side of the Boxing ring. They watch the bout and individually award points for what they judge to be successful hits.
Boxing is a tough and demanding sport. While weight and height are a distinct advantage, brute strength alone is not enough. Speed, tactics and quick thinking are all crucial if a boxer is to be successful.
Boxers who do not obey the instructions of the referee, box in an unsportsmanlike manner, or commit fouls can be cautioned, warned or disqualified by the referee. Types of foul include hitting an opponent below the belt or on the back, tripping or kicking an opponent, and making unfair use of the ropes.
Hook – a short, sideways-thrown punch delivered with a bent elbow.
Jab – an arm’s-length, straight-thrown punch.
Standing eight count – a precautionary count during which the referee allows a boxer time to recover from a heavy blow or series of blows.
Throw in the towel – the traditional way for a boxer’s assistant to concede defeat for his/her boxer before the end of the contest.
If you want to find out about boxing in your country, including clubs, facilities and coaching schemes, check the website of your National Governing Body. To find out how you can get involved in boxing in the UK, go to thegamesandbeyond.com
For more information on the Boxing competition at London 2012 and the rules, go to the website of the International Boxing Association (AIBA), the governing body for the sport.
