The sport of boxing has a long and storied history. The first recorded boxing match took place in England in 1681. The sport was introduced to the United States in 1720 and quickly gained popularity.
The early days of boxing were characterized by bare-knuckle fighting. The first recorded boxing match in the United States took place in 1787 and was fought under London Prize Ring rules. These rules were the first to codify the sport and included such things as the use of gloves and the introduction of rounds.
The sport of boxing underwent a major transformation in the late 19th century with the introduction of the Marquess of Queensberry rules. These rules standardized the weight classes and introduced the use of padded gloves and the three-minute round. The first heavyweight championship fight under Marquess of Queensberry rules took place in 1892 between John L. Sullivan and James J. Corbett.
The 20th century saw the rise of boxing as a major sport and international phenomenon. The sport was dominated by heavyweight champions such as Jack Dempsey, Joe Louis, and Muhammad Ali. Boxing also became a major part of the Olympic Games, with the first gold medal being awarded in 1904.
Today, boxing is enjoyed by people all over the world and continues to be one of the most popular sports.
