BOXING (probably akin to Dan. bask, slap, blow. basks, to slap. strike). Since the days when fighting with the bare fists was made un lawful, the tendency of the interpretation of the word 'boxing' has been to limit its use to exhibi tions of skill, and to use the word pugilism when referring to professional contests under the old rules and to ancient gladiators. Modern boxing rules, known as the 'Queensberry Rules,' which govern even professional prize-fights, have elimi nated the worst features of the pugilism of an tiquity. and effected a great improvement in modern methods. The ancient method was to make the punishment as cruel as possible by wearing it cestus of bronze, several thicknesses of rawhide strongly fastened together and pro jecting beyond the knuckles, and by binding the ww rist and forearm with leather thongs, by these means adding to the capacity of the bare hand to inflict injury. The present custom of wearing a padded glove lessens this capacity. The last remnant of barharism disappeared from pugilism when which played an important part in the contests of the Eighteenth and first half of the Nineteenth centuries. was ruled out. How late it lasted is testified by the reports of the historic battles of Mendoza, Bendigo. and Sayers, in which such passages as the following were common: "After a short struggle both men went down, the Tipton Slasher uppermost ;" then closed, and after a short tussle, the Infant threw his man, falling, heavily 111)011 him." How ancient was the practice of pugilism may be gathered from many writings of antiquity. In the roll-call at the siege of Troy, Pollux us de scribed as "good with his lists." There are many interesting details of it at the funeral of Patro clus. including the mention of the belt, which is still the emblem of pugilistic championships, and the habit of having such contests as part of a funeral celebration has survived to this day in Siam. Vergil's description of the fight between Dares and the Sicilian Entellus is another class ical description of the sport.
Among the English sports of the Middle Ages boxing did not occupy so prominent a place as cudgeling and quarter-staff: and Figg, whose portrait was painted by Hogarth, may be consid ered as the modern father of the 'noble art of self-defense.' From his time until IS60. when Sayers fought Heenan, the list of champions is unbroken. Up to this period the science of self defense had made but little progress, and strength and endurance constituted the only recommenda tions of the practitioners at Smithfield. Moor field, and Southwark Fair. which had long had booths and rings for the display of boxing. 1;roughton, who occupied the position of 'cham pion of England,' built a theatre in Hallway Street, Oxford Street, in 1740, for the display of boxing; advertisements were issued announcing a succession of battles between first-rate pugil ists, who never quitted the stage till one or the other was defeated, the reward of each man being dependent upon and proportioned to the re ceipts. Broughton was for eighteen years cham pion of England. He propounded sonic rules for the regulation of the ring which remained in authority till IS3S, or nearly a century. They are now spoken of as the 'old rules.' Rule 1 is, that a square of a yard be chalked in the middle of a stage, and that in every fresh set-to after a fall. the seconds are to bring their men to the side of the square. and to place them opposite each other: and until this is done, it is not law ful for one to strike the other. Rule 2, that if either of the combatants be unable to be brought up to the square within thirty seconds after a fall and the close of a round, he shall be deemed a beaten man. No man is permitted to hit his adversary when he is down, or to seize him by the breeches, or below the waist, and a man on his knees is to be reckoned down. These rules laid the foundation of fair play. To Broughton
also is due the introduction of gloves for 'spar ring-matches; whereby lessons could be taken without injury. The greatest professor of the art was Jackson, who was champion in 1793. He was not only the most scientific boxer of his day, but he gave his art such a prestige and popular ity that half the men of rank and fashion of the period were proud to call themselves his pupils. He opened rooms for the practice of boxing in Bond Street, and for years these were crowded by men of note. Ms 'principles of pugilism' were, that contempt of danger and confidence in one's self were the first and best qualities of a pugilist: that, in hitting you must judge well distances, for a blow delivered at all out of range was like a spent shot, and valueless; that men should fight with their Icg.s, using all possible agility, as well as with their hands, and that all stiffness of style or position was wrong. Jackson is still regarded as one of the best theorists on the art. At this period pugil ism was actively supported by many persons of high rank. In 1S14, when the allied sove reigns visited England. among other entertain ments, a sparring display WAS provided under Jackson's management, and the distinguished foreigners expressed much gratification at the exhibition of so much science and fine physical development. Besides Jackson, Belcher, and Cribb were noted champions at this period, which may be termed the palmy days of the ring. From various causes, its decline has since been uninterrupted. The more distinguished patrons gradually withdrew: the Pugilistic Club, which had been established in 1814, and included all the aristocratic patrons of the ring, was broken up. Magistrates set their faces against the law less assemblies of roughs and pickpockets who latterly formed the greater part of the specta tors at prize-fights. In 1860, however, the inter national combat between Tom Sayers. the Eng lishman. and John Heenan. the American, re vived for a moment public interest in the art: hut after that prize-tights were suppressed, and glove contests adopted under the Queensberry rules, which govern them all the world over. Under these rules wrestling and hugging are pro hibited, each round is limited to three minutes with one minute interval, and the time allowed for a fallen man to get up is reduced to ten seconds. The art thenceforward was vigorously maintained in England by many amateur clubs, among the most important of which was the Amateur Athletic Club. founded in 1866. Tom Sayers retired after the fight with Heenan in 1860. leaving the championship of the world open for competition. Jem Mace, by a series of eontests. became entitled to meet J. Allen for it in America in 1870, and defeated him. James Smith became the next champion of England in 1S85. He was beaten by Jake Kilrain. of Boston, in 1887, Kilrain becoming the worlds heavy weight champion. In 1889 John L. Sullivan. of Boston, defeated Kilrain. James J. Corbett beat Sullivan in 1892, but was defeated in 1897 by Robert Fitzsimmons, who in his turn was van quished by James J. Jeffries in 1900, and again in 1902. The art of boxing. as an active and healthy exercise. is likely to be maintained: it is a part of all gymnasium work in the United States, so far as facilities for the exercise are concerned, and it has been taken up by the Amateur Athletic Union, which aims to carry it on as a high-class sport. as distinct from professional pugilism. On pugilism, consult: Pistiana (London, 1868) ; American Fistiana (New York, 1876) ; Miles, Pugilistica. :3 vols. (London, 1863) : and for the side of boxing as a sport, Doran. Sclf-D, (case (Toronto, 1879) ; Trotter, Practical Treatise on. Boxing (Philadelphia. 1900) : Boxing, Badmin ton Library (London, ISSN : Boxing, Oval Series (London. 1896) ; Boring. Spald ing's Athletic Li brary (New York, 1893).