Stamps with the theme Boxing

Boxing - formerly commonly called pugilism - is a combat sport in which two people compete against each other using only their fists, on which are worn padded leather gloves. A referee supervises a boxing match, which is contested over a series of ‘rounds’ which last for one to three minutes and usually have an interval of one minute between them. A boxer must only strike an opponent on certain parts of the body above waist level and points are scored by hitting an opponent in the correct areas. Judges are used to assist the referee and they note points accumulated by the fighters. Evidence exists of fist-fighting contests in ancient Greek and Egyptian cultures but the modern form of boxing evolved in Europe. Rules created by the Marquess of Queensberry, an English aristocrat, have been the general rules governing modern boxing since their publication in 1867.