Boxing

Athletes involved with boxing have to show bravery, because boxing is an

extremely risky sport. The blood, sweat, and tears that consist of the longevity of
any boxer should never be underestimated. It takes years of training, sparing, and
practice to perfect boxing skills. It takes a true scholar of the sport to achieve
greatness. Also, it is important to give credit to the unsung boxers who jog, work in
the gym, and seek advice frequently in becoming the best fighter that he or she can
be. Their work is not in vain. We all appreciate the human beings who sacrificed so
much to be involved in a form of athletics that they hold so much in high regard.

“You only live once, but

if you work it right, once
is enough.”
-Joe Lewis
 Here is the great Sugar Ray
Robinson at the 1969 ABC
The Table of Contents Jazz show.

1. Prologue
2. Equipment
3. Rules
4. The History of Boxing
5. Women’s Boxing
6. Various Issues
7. Conclusion (Boxing)

HE WAS THE GREATEST

POUND FOR POUND
BOXER IN HISTORY

It’s a sport that is not for the faint
of heart. Many people have been
seriously injured, damaged, or
even died as a product of
participating in the sport too.
This athletic sport is boxing.
Always popular, human beings
mimic various styles of it for
eons. It has existed for
thousands of years. We
have seen champions of
various weight divisions
from Muhammad Ali to
Floyd Mayweather.
Some have called Sugar
Ray Robinson as the pound for
pound greatest boxer in history
because of his skills and will to
win. We have seen women
champions exist and flourish
from Laila Ali to Ann Wolfe.
Currently, the best woman boxer
is from Flint, Michigan. Her name
is Claressa Shields. Shields have
proven herself in the ring and out
of the ring with her activism,
confidence, and great athletic
skills. One honorary mention
about Fredia Gibbs should be
mdae too. Fredia Gibbs was a
boxer and kickboxer. She is one
of the greatest women fighters of
this generation without question.
During her kickboxing career, she
held ISKA, WKA, and WKF World
Titles. Before her kickboxing
career, she won three world titles
in Tae Kwon Do and was an All-
American in basketball and track.
Gibbs made Black History when
she became the first African-
American female Kickboxing ISKA
Prologue
World Champion. She earned the
name "The Most Dangerous
Woman in the World" after an
upset in 1994 in her fight against
World Champion Valérie Wiet-
Henin of France in the "Battle of
the Masters" Pay Per View Event
in San Jose, California. Fredia
Gibbs is an author, celebrity
trainer, philanthropist,
motivational speaker, and radio
host. Boxing always requires
determination. Some individuals
are born with boxing skills, and
others have to develop excellent
skills via intense training. One of
the biggest ironies of life is that
sometimes that a person with
more training has better boxing
abilities than a person relying
totally on pure athleticism.
That is why boxing is called the
sweet science. You have to study
and develop constantly as an
athlete in order to achieve
excellence. Running, sparing with
people, hand eye coordination,
and other specialized forms of
training are requirements in
being a complete boxer. Not to
mention that developing one's
defensive abilities is key in
making a more thorough boxer as
well. Every great boxer had great
inner strength to achieve their
accomplishments. In other
words, you have to present
what’s inside of you in order for
you to experience success. In
many boxing battles, the one
fighter dug deep inside himself or
herself to made the victory
possible. The last round of
Muhammad Ali and Earnie
Shavers outlined how Ali
had something inside of
him to make sure that he
was the winner of the fight.
Joe Lewis made sure that
his left hook was powerful
enough to knockout his
opponents. Regardless of how
people feel about Floyd
Mayweather (Floyd has admitted
that he isn't a perfect person), no
one can deny that he is the
greatest boxing fighter of our
generation. We witness the
relationship between MMA and
boxing as many boxers go into
the MMA world plus vice versa.
In our time in 2020, we still
witness legendary boxers doing
their thing. For all of this time,
books, videos, movies, and other
forms of multimedia describe
what boxing is about. Boxing is
certainly more than a sport. It is
about a lifestyle that epitomizes
grit and personal sacrifice. You
have to brave to be a boxer, and
we salute the great boxers who
have stood up for the values of
righteousness plus heart.
Equipment
Equipment for boxing is very diverse involving weight classes and regions of the world. Boxing deals with
forceful, repetitive punching. Boxers focus on hand eye coordination and other multifacted skills.
Therefore, you have to use all legitimate precautions. In that sense, damage to bones in the hand is
minimized. Most trainers don’t allow boxers to train and spar without wrist wraps and boxing gloves. Hand
warps are used to make sure that the bones are secure in the hands. Obviously, gloves are used to protect
the hand from blunt injury. It allows gives the boxers the opportunity to throw punches with more force
than if they didn’t use them. Ever since the 19th century, gloves have been required in competition.
Modern boxing gloves are much heavier than worn during the early 20th century. Before each fight, each
boxer agrees to the weight of the gloves prior to each fight. They know that lighter gloves allow heavy
punches to inflict more damage. The brand of gloves can deal with the impact of punches. This is usually
decided before the match happens. Both sides are allowed to inspect the wraps and gloves of the opponent
to ensure both are within agreed upon specifications and no tampering has taken place. Fighters use mouth
guards to protect their teeth and gums from injury and to cushion the jaw. This decreases the chance of a
knockout. Both fighters must wear soft soled shoes to reduce the damage from accidental or intentional
steeping on feet. Older boxing boots are similar to a professional wrestler’s boots.

Modern boxing shoes and boots are similar to their amateur wrestling counterparts. Boxers use punching
bags to test their skills. There is the small, tear drop shaped speed bag to hone reflexes and repetitive
punching skills. A large cylindrical heavy bag is filled with sand, a synthetic substitute, or water to practice
power punching and body blows. The double end bag is connected by elastic on the top and bottom and
moves randomly upon getting struck (it helps the fighter work on accuracy and reflexes). There are other
distinctive boxing equipment that helps to train boxers’ strength, speed, agility, and stamina. There are free
weights, rowing machines, jump rope, and medicine balls. Boxers use punch/focus mitts that a trainer calls
out certain combinations and the fighter strikes the mitts accordingly. This is a great exercise to help the
boxer to develop his or her stamina. The boxer isn’t allowed to go at his or her pace. The trainer dictates
the combination training. The boxer focuses on output and volume being higher. Trainers can make boxers
improve their footwork and distances more accurately. Boxing matches happen in a boxing ring. The raised
platform is surrounded by ropes attached to posts rising in each corner. The term “ring” has come to be
used as a metaphor for many aspects of prize fighting in general.
Rules

There are many rules to boxing. Modern boxing rules relate to the Marquess of Queensberry. These rules
were published since 1867. Each boxing match can have a number of three minute rounds with a total up
to 9 to 12 rounds. During each round’s break, it usually lasts for one minute. The boxers are given advice
and attention from their coach and staff during each break. The referee controls the fight. He or she has the
right to judge and control the actions of the fighter. He or she can rule to end a fight for safety reasons or
because of a knock down count. He or she can rule on rounds. There are up to three judges that are present
at ringside to score the bout, give points to boxers, and give a winner. The points are based on punches
connecting; each fighter has an assigned corner of the ring, where his or her coach, as well as one or more
"seconds" may administer to the fighter at the beginning of the fight and between rounds. Each boxer
enters into the ring from their assigned corners at the beginning of each round and must cease fighting and
return to their corner at the signaled end of each round.

A bout in which the predetermined number of rounds passes is decided by the judges, and is said to "go the
distance." The fighter with the higher score at the end of the fight is ruled the winner. With three judges,
unanimous and split decisions are possible, as are draws. A boxer may win the bout before a decision is
reached through a knock-out; such bouts are said to have ended "inside the distance." If a fighter is
knocked down during the fight, determined by whether the boxer touches the canvas floor of the ring with
any part of their body other than the feet as a result of the opponent's punch and not a slip, as determined
by the referee, the referee begins counting until the fighter returns to his or her feet and can continue.
Some jurisdictions require the referee to count to eight regardless if the fighter gets up before. If a boxer
fails to get up by the 10 count, then the boxer loses by KO or knockout. A technical knockout or a TKO is
ruled by the referee fight doctor or a fighter’s corner. A TKO is when a fighter is unable to safely continue to
fight, based upon injuries or being judged unable to effectively defend themselves. Many jurisdictions and
sanctioning agencies also have a "three-knockdown rule", in which three knockdowns in a given round
result in a TKO. A TKO is considered a knockout in a fighter's record. A "standing eight" count rule may also
be in effect. This gives the referee the right to step in and administer a count of eight to a fighter that he or
she feels may be in danger, even if no knockdown has taken place. After counting the referee will observe
the fighter, and decide if he or she is fit to continue. For scoring purposes, a standing eight count is treated
as a knockdown. In general, boxers are prohibited from hitting below the belt, holding, tripping, pushing,
biting, or spitting. The boxer's shorts are raised so the opponent is not allowed to hit to the groin area with
intent to cause pain or injury. Failure to abide by the former may result in a foul. They also are prohibited
from kicking, head-butting, or hitting with any part of the arm other than the knuckles of a closed fist
(including hitting with the elbow, shoulder or forearm, as well as with open gloves, the wrist, the inside,
back or side of the hand). They are prohibited as well from hitting the back, back of the head or neck (called
a "rabbit-punch") or the kidneys. They are prohibited from holding the ropes for support when punching,
holding an opponent while punching, or ducking below the belt of their opponent (dropping below the
waist of your opponent, no matter the distance between). A referee can end the clinch. Back in the day,
some newspapers had no decision rules.

The History of Boxing

Boxing history goes back thousands of years. A Sumerian relief in Iraq showed boxing. By the 2nd
millennium B.C., there were reliefs in Assyria and Babylonia of outlining boxing actions. Boxing existed in
the Hittite area too. There was a relief sculpture from Egyptian Thebes (in ca. 1350 B.C.) that showed both
boxers and spectators. In those places, the boxing contests had fighters being bare fisted or using a band on
the wrist. Minoan Crete in ca. 1500-1400 B.C. used gloves in boxing. Various types of boxing existed in
ancient India. The earliest references to musti-yuddha come from classical Vedic epics such as the
Ramayana and Rig Veda. The Mahabharata describes two combatants boxing with clenched fists and
fighting with kicks, finger strikes, knee strikes and headbutts. Duels (niyuddham) were often fought to the
death. During the period of the Western Satraps, the ruler Rudradaman - in addition to being well-versed in
"the great sciences" which included Indian classical music, Sanskrit grammar, and logic - was said to be an
excellent horseman, charioteer, elephant rider, swordsman and boxer. The Gurbilas Shemi, an 18th-century
Sikh text, gives numerous references to musti-yuddha. Boxing was in ancient Greece. It was very popular. In
the ancient Olympics, it was first introduced in the 23rd Olympiad, 688 BC. The boxers would wind leather
thongs around their hands in order to protect them. There were no rounds and boxers fought until one of
them acknowledged defeat or could not continue. Weight categories were not used, which meant
heavyweights had a tendency to dominate. The style of boxing practiced typically featured an advanced left
leg stance, with the left arm semi-extended as a guard, in addition to being used for striking, and with the
right arm drawn back ready to strike. It was the head of the opponent which was primarily targeted, and
there is little evidence to suggest that targeting the body was common.

During the age of ancient Rome, boxing was a popular spectator sport in ancient Rome. Fighters had to
protect themselves. They used leather thongs around their fists. Later, harder leather was used and the
thong soon became a weapon. The Romans used metal studs on the thongs to make the cestus. Roman
Amphitheaters were where such fighting events took place. The Roman form of boxing was often a fight
until the death to please the spectators who gathered at such events. In later times, purchased slaves and
trained combat performers were used as valuable people in the sport. Their lives were exploited. Many
slaves were forced to fight against each other in a circle marked on the floor. By 393 A.D., during the
Roman gladiator period, boxing was abolished because of excessive brutality. It wasn’t until the late 16th
century when boxing re-surfaced in London. Records of classical boxing activity disappeared after the fall of
the Western Roman Empire. Many people used weapons and using fists waned. There were many accounts
of fist fighting sports in different cities and provinces of Italy between the 12th and 17th centuries. There
was the sport in ancient Rus called Kulachny Boy or Fist Fighting. As the wearing of swords became less
common, there was renewed interest in fencing with the fists. The sport would later resurface in England
during the early 16th century in the form of bare-knuckle boxing sometimes referred to as prizefighting.
The first documented account of a bare-knuckle fight in England appeared in 1681 in the London Protestant
Mercury, and the first English bare-knuckle champion was James Figg in 1719. This is also the time when
the word "boxing" first came to be used. This earliest form of modern boxing was very different. Contests in
Mr. Figg's time, in addition to fist fighting, also contained fencing and cudgeling. On January 6, 1681, the
first recorded boxing match took place in Britain when Christopher Monck, 2nd Duke of Albemarle (and
later Lieutenant Governor of Jamaica) engineered a bout between his butler and his butcher with the latter
winning the prize.

Early fighting back then had no written rules. There were no weight divisions or round limits, and no
referee. In general, it was extremely chaotic. An early article on boxing was published in Nottingham, 1713,
by Sir Thomas Parkyns, a successful Wrestler from Bunny, Nottinghamshire, who had practiced the
techniques he described. The article, a single page in his manual of wrestling and fencing, Progymnasmata:
The inn-play, or Cornish-hugg wrestler, described a system of head-butting, punching, eye-gouging, chokes,
and hard throws, not recognized in boxing today. The first modern boxing rules were called the Broughton’s
rules. It was introduced by champion Jack Broughton in 1743 to protect fighters in the ring where deaths
sometimes happened. Under these rules, if a man went down and could not continue after a count of 30
seconds, the fight was over. Hitting a downed fighter and grasping below the waist were prohibited.
Broughton encouraged the use of 'mufflers', a form of padded bandage or mitten, to be used in 'jousting' or
sparring sessions in training, and in exhibition matches. These rules did allow the fighters an advantage not
enjoyed by today's boxers; they permitted the fighter to drop to one knee to end the round and begin the
30-second count at any time. Thus a fighter realizing he was in trouble had an opportunity to recover.
However, this was considered "unmanly” and was frequently disallowed by additional rules negotiated by
the Seconds of the Boxers. Modern boxing has a three minute limit to rounds (unlike the downed fighter
ends the round rule). Intentionally going down in modern boxing will cause the recovering fighter to lose
points in the scoring system. Furthermore, as the contestants did not have heavy leather gloves and wrist
wraps to protect their hands, they used different punching technique to preserve their hands because the
head was a common target to hit full out. Almost all period manuals have powerful straight punches with
the whole body behind them to the face (including forehead) as the basic blows. The London Prize Ring
Rules introduced measures that remain in effect for professional boxing to this day, such as outlawing
butting, gouging, scratching, kicking, hitting a man while down, holding the ropes, and using resin, stones or
hard objects in the hands, and biting.

In 1867, the Marquees of Queensberry rules were drafted by John Chambers for amateur championships
held at Lillie Bridge in London for Lightweights, Middleweights, and Heavyweights. The rules were
published under the patronage of the Marquees of Queensberry, whose name was associated with them.
These rules were about having 12 rules. They specified that fights would be a fair standing fight. The ring
would be a 24 foot square or similar ring. Each round had three minutes with a one minute rest in each
round. Gloves were used. Later, matches were more strategic with more defensive maneuvers like slipping,
bobbing, countering, and angling. Boxers evolved to use their hands held closer to the face and a more
forward stance. Back in the 19th century, many prize fighting was banned in areas of the UK and America.
Prizefighting resulted in riots. England banned bare knuckle brawls in 1882 via the case of R v. Coney. Jim
Corbett was the first world heavyweight champion under the Queensberry rules. He defeated John L.
Sullivan in 1892 at the Pelican Athletic Club in New Orleans. Many boxers fought for legitimacy. Today,
boxing is a multibillion dollar business. It is found globally. Many fighters come from poor backgrounds.
Some are from Mexico, America, Africa, South America, and Eastern Europe. Young talent is found in inner
cities of New York City, Chicago, Detroit, Flint, Los Angeles, and other places.
A J
A
C

L K
ONE OF THE MOST UNDERATED HEAVYWEIGHT
E FIGHTERS IN HISTORY
G John Arthur Jack Johnson was an American boxer during the
height of the Jim Crow era. He experienced racism, discrimination,
threats, and other hardships, but he continued to be the best
E heavyweight boxer of his era. He was the first African American J
world heavyweight boxing champion (1908-1915). He was world
N famous for his actions in the ring and outside of the ring. He
defeated James J. Jeffries in 1910.
O

D Jack Johnson stood 6 feet and ½ inches tall. Galveston, Texas was
the place where he was born. He lived from March 31, 1878 to June
H
10, 1946. He won 80 matches, lost 11 matches, and had 11 draws. 3 of
his fights had no contests. His victories were very historic, and his N
accomplishments are part of the long legacy of African American
contributions to the essence of athletics. He was a predecessor to
Muhammad Ali, and Ali acknowledged Johnson’s great boxing S
career. Like Ali, Jack Johnson was ostracized by mainstream
America. Yet, Jack Johnson wasn’t consumed by fear. He professed
his faith in Jesus Christ in 1943, and he was pardoned by May 24,
O
2018, which was 105 years after his conviction. He certainly was a
legend. N
 “Don’t count the Muhammad
days, make the days
count.” Ali
-Muhammad Ali

Here is Muhammad Ali at Zaire being

ready to fight George Foreman in 1974.
He later defeated Foreman establishing
himself as champion again.

Muhammad Ali was the most

He was a legend who lived
famous athlete of the 20th
from 1942 to 2016.
century. He’s probably one of
Muhammad Ali was from
the most famous people in
Louisville, Kentucky, and his
human history. His significance
words plus actions inspired
extends beyond boxing.
people worldwide. Ali was a
Muhammad Ali made it
boxer, but he was more than
business to promote literacy,
that. He courageously stood
conflict resolution, investments
up against the unjust Vietnam
in communities, and the love
War. He wanted black people
of his family. He beat some of
to love their own black
the greatest fighters in history
identity. He loved to support
like Sonny Liston, Joe Frazier,
peace among people of every
George Foreman, Ken Norton,
color and background. Also,
and other people. Muhammad
Muhammad Ali was an
Ali was greatly known for his
extremely talented boxer. His
philanthropy.
defensive and offensive
abilities were outstanding.

The Greatest Heavyweight Boxer of All Time

"That's my gift. I let that negativity roll off me like water off a duck's back. If it's
not positive, I didn't hear it. If you can overcome that, fights are easy."

-George Foreman
Joe Gans was the first African American World Boxing Champion reigning continuously as a World
Lightweight Champion from 1902 to 1908. He lived from 1874 to 1910. Many African American
heavyweight boxing legends were Jack Johnson (1878-1946) and others who were brave in the early 20th
century. Jack Johnson defeated Tommy Burns and Jim Jeffries. Jack Johnson survived many attempts from
racists trying to kill him. Yet, he survived and lived to inspire future boxers. He beat Jim Jeffries in 1910. In
1926, ex-Marine Gene Tunney defeated Jack Dempsey for the World Heavyweight Boxing championship at
Philadelphia in 1926. During the 1930's, Joe Lewis became a boxing heavyweight legend. He was beloved by
black people and people of every color. He once lost to Max Schemling and then Joe Lewis defeated Max
later in 1938 at New York City. Later, Joe Lewis would have more victories and ironically became friends
with Max Schemling. Jake Lamotta was a famous middleweight fighter. Also, the pound for pound greatest
boxer in history, Sugar Ray Robinson, would excel in the middleweight division too. Rocky Marciano would
fight people too. By this time, Archie Moore and other legendary fighters would grow their legacies. During
the 1960's, Muhammad Ali revolutionized boxing with his charisma, massive speed for a heavyweight,
political activism, love of Blackness, and his confidence. He inspired many black people to love their black
identities, and he became the greatest heavyweight fighter of all time with defeating Hall of Fame boxers in
many occasions like Sonny Liston, Floyd Patterson, Joe Frazier, Joe Foreman, Ernie Shavers, Ken Norton,
George Chuvalo, and other people. Sugar Ray Leonard was a fast boxer of the 1970's and 1980's who used
his skills, speed, and endurance to defeat opponents. Mike Tyson dominated the heavyweight division in
the 1980's with his accurate punches, defense, and power. He knocked out many opponents in a few
rounds and sometimes in one round. More fighters like Roy Jones Jr., Evander Holyfield, Sweat Pea
Whitaker, Riddick Bowe, Lennox Lewis, and other made great accomplishments in the 1990's. By the 21st
century, fighters like Floyd Mayweather, Sugar Shane Mosley, Vitali Kitschko, Manny Pacquiao, and others
have established new legacies in their boxing careers. In 2020, Anthony Joshua, Deontay Wilder, and Tyson
Fury are heavyweight fighters in the midst of the resurrection of the heavyweight division in general.
Women's Boxing
Women boxing have existed for a long time. Back in the day, many people banned women from
participating in fighting in boxing events. Reports of women going into the ring (during the modern era) go
back to the 1700's. Back in the 18th century, Elizabeth Wilkinson fought in London. She called herself the
European Championess. She fought men and women. Back then, the rules of boxing allowed kicking,
gouging, and other methods of attack not part of today's arsenal. By the 1920's, Professor Andrew Newton
created a Women's Boxing Club in London. However, women's boxing was very controversial back then. In
early 1926, Shoreditch borough council banned an arranged exhibition match between boxers Annie
Newton and Madge Baker, a student of Digger Stanley. An attempt to hold the match in nearby Hackney
instead was defeated by a campaign led by the Mayor of Hackney, who wrote "I regard this proposed
exhibition of women boxers as a gratification of the sensual ideals of a crowd of vulgar men." The Home
Secretary Sir William Joynson-Hicks was among those opposing the match, claiming "the Legislature never
imagined that such a disgraceful exhibition would have been staged in this country." The story was
reported across the country and even internationally. Therefore, sexism in boxing is very real. Women's
boxing first appeared at the Olympic Games at a demonstration bout in 1904. The Swedish Amateur Boxing
Association pioneered events for women in 1988. The British Amateur Boxing Association sanctioned its
first boxing competition for women in 1997. The first event was to be between two thirteen-year-olds, but
one of the boxers withdrew because of hostile media attention. Four weeks later, an event was held
between two sixteen-year-olds. One named Susan MacGregor (Laurenckirk, Aberdeenshire) and the other
Joanne Cawthorne (Peterhead, Aberdeenshire).
The International Boxing Association (amateur) accepted new rules for Women's Boxing at the end of the
20th century and approved the first European Cup for Women in 1999 and the first World Championship
for women in 2001. Women's boxing was not featured at the 2008 Olympics; however, on August 14, 2009,
it was announced that the International Olympic Committee's Executive Board (EB) had approved the
inclusion of women's boxing for the Games in London in the 2012 Olympics, contrary to the expectations of
some observers. Around these (2009) hearings, in conjunction with AIBA (International Boxing Association),
the International Olympic Committee agreed to include three additional women's weight classes to the
2012 London Olympic Games. The UK didn't issue licenses to women in boxing until as late as 1998. The
first UK sanctioned bout between women was in November 1998 at Streatham in London, between Jane
Couch and Simona Lukic. In America, Barbara Buttrick was the first televised boxing match between two
women on television and on radio. During the 1970's, a popular woman boxer named Cathy 'Cat' Davis
came out of the United States Northwest, and a few of her fights were televised. Cathy Davis was the
female boxer to appear on the cover of Ring Magazine. But a scandal broke out where it was said that some
of her fights had been fixed. Marian “Tyger” Trimiar and Jackie Tonawanda were pioneers as they were the
first women in the United States to get a license for boxing in the United States.
 Laila Ali is also an “If you’re passionate
expert in the
culinary arts. She about something, you
has been on believe it, then you have
many shows and
platforms to be consistent. And you
showing her have to put in the hard
recipes.
work that it takes to be
successful.”
She is an author, an activist, and the
daughter of the greatest heavyweight -Laila Ali
fighter in history. She has a drive to
perform in magnificent ways without
wavering in her goals. She is Sister
Laila Ali. She was born in Miami
Beach, Florida. Right now, she is 42

Laila Ali
years old. She graduated from
California's Santa Monica College with
a business degree. She owned her own
nail salon at first. Later, she came into
boxing. Back in the day, there were
very few women boxers. Laila Ali
helped to grow the sport of women's
boxing into new heights. In her
professional boxing career, she has
been undefeated. She fought Joe
Frazier's daughter named Jacqui
Frazier-Lyde.

After her boxing career, she continued

to be on TV shows and movies like
the show One on One. She hosted the
American Gladiators show. Recently,
she was revealed as the Panda in the
Masked Singer show. She has 2
children with her husband Curtis
Conway. Conway used to play for the
NFL. Laila Ali speaks nationwide to
stand up for humanitarianism, SHE WAS AN UNDEFEATED BOXER. NOW, SHE
medicine, building up communities, CONTINUES TO EXIST IN EXCELLENCE.
and hope for humanity. She uses her
powerful voice as a means to inspire
fellow people in their daily lives. She
is a woman who loves what she does,
and is part of the long legacy of
athletics, business, literature, and
television.
 “I love boxing and I love Right now, she is a legend. She is
that I’m one of the women only 25 years old, but her
who is carrying the sport, accomplishments are lengthy. She
has the experience, the power, and
making it bigger and more the relentless determination. Her
well known. We’re getting boxing skills are magnificent. Never
afraid of any opponent, Claressa
more respect.” Shields has worked hard in being
the athlete that she is. Always
-Claressa Shields honest and always humble, she has
a great deal of charisma too. She
HER AMAZING has multiple world championships
ACCOMPLISHMENTS: in three weight classes. She is the
undisputed woman middle weight
*2 TIME OLYMPIC GOLD champion of the world since 2019.
MEDALIST (IN 2012 AND IN
2016) She is the world’s best active
women light middleweight. She was
*THE 2018 INDUCTEE OF THE
born and raised in Flint, Michigan.
USA BOXING ALUMNI
Flint is a working class city, and she
ASSOCIATION’S HALL OF
has her own working class values.
FAME
Claressa Shields is an ambassador
*2015 GOLD MEDAL WINNER for Up2Us Sports. This is a
OF THE PAN AMERICAN national non-profit organization
GAMES FOR LIGHT dedicated to supporting youth by
HEAVYWEIGHT providing them with coaches
trained in positive youth
*2018 CHRISTY MARTIN development.
AWARD WINNER

Claressa Shields
Claressa Shields is
a woman who is
from Flint with the
goal of excellence
and achieving her
dreams. She has
fulfilled many of
her aspirations via
determination.

THE GREATEST WOMAN BOXER OF HER

GENERATION
 Jackie Tonawanda was a legendary boxer in her own right.
Before Claressa Shields, before Laila Ali, before Ann Wolfe, before Jacqueline Frazier, before Cecilia
Braekhus, and before Lucia Rijker, there was Jackie Tonawanda. She was so great that people called her
the "Female Ali." Her name is Jackie Tonawanda (1933-2009). In fact, she was once Muhammad Ali's
bodyguard. She was born Jean Jamison. She was a woman heavyweight boxer during the 1970's and the
1980's. She was born at Suffolk County, New York. She fought for her rights too. Once, she sued the boxing
commissioner Edwin Dooley on the charge of sex discrimination as the state back then discriminated
against women from fighting professionally. The court ruled in Tonawanda's favor. She was the first woman
to be granted a boxing license to fight in New York state. She fought 36 times. She only lost one fight. She
was the first woman boxer to be a member of Ring 8, the Veterans Boxing Association. She was in their Hall
of Fame too including the Madison Square Garden's Hall of Game (where in MSG, she defeated a man in
the ring named Larry Rodania in the 2nd round). She was a trailblazer to many women athletes. She studied
martial arts too. The interesting thing about this story is that I first heard about this story recently.

Rest in Power Sister Jackie Tonawanda.

During the 1980's, women's boxing briefly resurfaced in California under the wings of sisters Dora and Cora
Webber. The twin sisters were world champions and packed crunching punching power and a good chin.
Women took hunger strikes to be noticed. But the boom of women's boxing came during the 1990's,
coinciding with the boom in professional women sports leagues such as the WNBA and WUSA, and with
boxers such as Stephanie Jaramillo, Delia 'Chikita' Gonzalez, Ann Wolfe, Laura Serrano, Christy Martin,
Deirdre Gogarty, Laila Ali, Jackie Frazier-Lyde, Lucia Rijker, Ada Vélez, Ivonne Caples, Bonnie Canino and
Sumya Anani, all world champions, jumping into the scene. Major boxing broadcasting networks such as
HBO and P.B.C have yet to feature a woman's headlining bout. In a recent press conference, 2x Olympic
Gold medalist Claressa Shields stated, “All the respect to all the women that box, we have more than one
fight… [we are] fighting for equal pay and equal time on T.V… we don’t get enough sponsorships or
endorsements as the men." Women’s boxing continues to exist in America and worldwide. Hanna Gabriel is
a tough fighter who held the WBO welterweight title in 2009 and the WBO junior middleweight title twice
between 2010 and 2018. Cecilia Brækhus is a great woman fighter too.
 Various Issues
There are many issues found in boxing. Boxing is filled with risks. Knocking a person unconscious of even
causing a concussion, it may cause permanent brain damage. From 1980 to 2007, more than 200 amateur
boxers and professional boxers plus Toughman fighters died due to ring or training injuries. Many medical
associations including Dr. George Lunberg wanted a ban on boxing. Boxing is a sport where a victory is
determined by hurting a person and causing a win by points or knockout. The 1997 American Association of
Professional Ringside physicians was formed to create medical protocols via research and education to
prevent injuries in boxing. Professional boxing was forbidden in Iceland, Iran, Saudi Arabia, and North
Korea. Sweden banned it in 2007. Also, boxing training can contribute to fat burning, increased muscle
tone, strong bones, strong ligaments, increased cardiovascular fitness, muscular endurance, improved core
stability, more strength, stress relief, improved co-ordination, greater confidence, etc. Boxing is not a game.
Therefore, I have great admiration for those who are brave enough to participate in the sport of boxing.

THE MOST UNSUNG WOMEN BOXERS OF ALL TIME

Ann Wolfe Mary Jo Sanders Cecilia Braekhus Lucia Rijker Regina Halmich

Christy Martin Mia St. John Holy Holm Jacqui Frazier-Lyde Giselle Salandy

Vanda Ward Kali Reis Hanna Gabriels Chevelle Hallback Melissa St. Vil
Conclusion (Boxing)
Boxing is a sport without apologies. It includes regulated violence. You have to keep it real on many things.
Not only have people have been seriously injured as a product of a boxing match. Many people have died
as an aftermath in the ring. That is why any boxer is brave. You have to be brave to be willing to fight for
rounds knowing what the risks are. You have to be brave to train by running, using weights, sparring, and
utilizing other means to be the best boxer possible. We learn lessons from many boxers too. Consciousness
and love of justice have been shown by Muhammad Ali. Excellent defense have been shown by Pep and
Sweat Pea Whitaker. Clarissa Shields has shown the world that any fighter (regardless of sex) with great
accomplishments should be respected. Therefore, boxing as a sport as expanded into an international level
since its invention many thousands of years ago. The flash of modern boxing today deals with the evolution
of the sport. We witness records being broken by Floyd Mayweather and his 50-0 record. Likewise, we
realize that the essence of boxing isn’t just about the training, the skills, or the athleticism. It is about will
and heart. A lot of people have talent, but it takes heart in order for anyone to become a great boxer. How
a fighter can overcome adversity signifies how great a fighter is. When Muhammad Ali was in the fight in
Zaire with George Foreman, many media people doubted that Muhammad Ali would defeat Foreman. Yet,
Ali proved the naysayers wrong by knocking Foreman out. When Sugar Ray Leonard defeated Duran after
Leonard was defeated the first time, Leonard proved that he was brave plus one of the greatest fighters in
history. Laila Ali coming in the ring to defeat opponents and write great literature in inspiring the youth to
achieve their goals represents inspiration. Putting life into perspective makes sense. That is why we believe
in honoring the sacrifice of those who participate in sports.

By Timothy
 Legends of the Ring (by Decade)

The 1960’s The 1970’s The 1980’s

The 1950’s
Jimmy Carruthers Muhammad Ali Muhammad Ali Mike Tyson
Rocky Marciano Emile Griffith Joe Frazier Thomas Hearns
Jersey Joe Walcott Floyd Patterson George Foreman Marvin Hagler
Willie Pep Sonny Liston Sugar Ray Leonard Sugar Ray Leonard
Jake LaMotta Carlos Ortiz Earnie Shavers Ruberto Duran
Sugar Ray Robinson Jose Torres Leon Spinks Larry Holmes
Archie Moore Ernie Terrell Ken Norton Juilo Cesar Chavez
Floyd Patterson George Chuvalo Alexis Arguello Evander Holyfield

The 1990’s The 2010’s The 2020’s

The 2000’s
Evander Holyfied Lennox Lewis Floyd Mayweather Jr. Anthony Joshua
Pernell Whitaker Laila Ali Anthony Joshua Andy Ruiz Jr.
Roy Jones Jr. Evander Holyfield Manny Pacquiao Tyson Fury
Floyd Mayweather Jr. Bernard Hopkins Canelo Alvarez Errol Spence Jr.
Felix Trinidad Hasim Rahman Gennady Golovkin Canelo Alvarez
Riddick Bowe Oscar De La Hoya Deontay Wilder Oleksandr Usyk
Lennox Lewis Shane Mosley Tyson Fury Claressa Shields
James Toney Floyd Mayweather Jr. Amir Khan Deontay Wilder

Well known Offensive Boxing Punches

The Jab The Cross The Hook The Uppercut

In dedication to Brother Roger Mayweather.
(1961-2020). Rest in Power.

Stand By Real Principles