Willie Pep Boxer Champion Autograph Bio Sheet Filled In Signed

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Seller: memorabilia111 ✉️ (808) 100%, Location: Ann Arbor, Michigan, US, Ships to: US & many other countries, Item: 176284773369 WILLIE PEP BOXER CHAMPION AUTOGRAPH BIO SHEET FILLED IN SIGNED. WILLIE PEP SIGNED CAR WITH HANDWRITTEN ANSWERS TO MANY QUESTIONS.  Guglielmo Papaleo was an American professional boxer, better known as Willie Pep, who held the World Featherweight championship twice between the years of 1942 and 1950. Papaleo was born in an Italian family: the father Salvatore was from Rosolini, whereas the mother, Maria Marchese, from Melilli.
Guglielmo Papaleo (Middletown - September 19, 1922 – November 23, 2006) was an American professional boxer, better known as Willie Pep, who held the World Featherweight championship twice between the years of 1942 and 1950. Papaleo was born in an Italian family: the father Salvatore was from Rosolini, whereas the mother, Maria Marchese, from Melilli. Pep boxed a total of 1,956 rounds in the 241 bouts during his 26-year career, a considerable number of rounds and bouts even for a fighter of his era. His final record was 229–11–1 with 65 knockouts. Pep, known for his speed, finesse and elusiveness, is considered to be one of the best fighters of the 20th century; after his 199th win, Kid Campeche described his experience by saying, "Fighting Willie Pep is like trying to stomp out a grass fire."[1] Pep was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 1990. Pep was voted as the No. 1 featherweight of the 20th century by the Associated Press[2] and ranked the No. 1 featherweight of all-time by the International Boxing Research Organization in 2005.[3] He is currently ranked by BoxRec as the 31st greatest pound-for-pound fighter of all time.[4] Boxing career Amateur career Pep first fought as an amateur in 1937. At the time, amateur boxers from Connecticut were allowed to fight for money. It was during the Great Depression and Pep's father was earning $15 per week at the Works Progress Administration. Pep worked as a shoeshine boy in downtown Hartford alongside Johnny Duke. Both boys joined a gym together and became sparring partners. Willie was soon earning more in one night of fighting each week. When his parents found out he was boxing, his mother was worried for him, but his father said that if he was making so much fighting on Fridays, maybe he should see about fighting on Tuesdays as well. "My old man, he was a sports fan" Pep later quipped.[5] In 1938 Pep fought Sugar Ray Robinson in the attic of a feed store in Norwich, Connecticut.[6] According to Pep's later telling, Robinson was an amateur champion in the state of New York, where amateurs were not paid, so he took a pseudonym to get bouts for money in Connecticut. Because of this, Pep did not know who he was fighting at the time. Before the fight he was told his unknown opponent was not good, but he recalls quickly learning otherwise once the bout began and Robinson was "all over me".[7] Professional career Pep started boxing professionally on July 10, 1940, beating James McGovern by a decision in four rounds in Hartford, Connecticut. Like many boxers of the first half of the 20th century, Pep concentrated his early fighting career on boxing in New England, and he split his first 25 contests between Connecticut and Massachusetts. He was undefeated during that span and for fight number 26, he finally headed west, beating Eddie Flores by a knockout in the first round at Thompsonville, Michigan. A couple of fights later, he travelled further west and made his California debut, beating Billy Spencer by a decision in four rounds at Los Angeles. By the time Pep stepped up his quality of opposition he was undefeated at 41–0, and he met former world champion Joey Archibald in 1942. He beat Archibald by a decision in ten rounds and, in his next bout, challenged Abe Denner for the New England-area featherweight title. He won the fight by a decision in 12, and his status among the world's top featherweights continued to climb. He won ten more bouts to reach 52–0, including a rematch win over Archibald, before he was given his first world championship try, in October. He became the World Featherweight Champion by outpointing the defending world champ Chalky Wright over the 15 round distance. He fought twice more to finish the year, winning both by knockout. Pep began 1943 by winning six bouts in a row to find himself with a record of 62–0. But in his seventh bout of 1943, he suffered his first defeat, at the hands of Sammy Angott, another world champion boxer. Angott beat Pep over the ten round distance, by decision. Ten days later, Pep was back in the ring, beating Bobby McIntyre by a decision. He closed 1943 winning five fights in a row, including two over future world champion Sal Bartolo and one over Jackie Wilson. The second win over Bartolo was in a defense of the world title. 1944 was a very good year for Pep. He won all 16 of his bouts that year, including wins over bantamweight champions Willie Joyce and Manuel Ortiz. He fought and beat Wright two more times, with Pep's featherweight title on the line once. He also made his first fight abroad, beating fringe contender Jackie Lemus in Canada. On June 6, 1944, he fought near featherweight contender, and rated lightweight Julie Kogon before a record crowd of 7,751 in an extraordinary bout in Hartford, Connecticut, and won soundly in an eight-round decision. Pep was given eight rounds by one of the judges.[8][9][10] He had eight fights in 1945, winning seven and drawing one. He beat former world champion Phil Terranova to retain the title, and had a ten-round draw with Jimmy McAllister. In 1946, Pep had 18 fights, and won all of them, including a 12-round knockout of Bartolo and a three-round knockout of Wright. He had a six-fight knockout win streak during a span that year. Despite being severely injured in a plane crash on January 5, Pep fought 10 bouts in 1947, again going undefeated. Many thought he had lost something as a fighter, especially after unexpectedly struggling in fights against Archie Wilmer (Pep won a majority decision) and Pedro Biesca (Pep was floored in the fourth round). He defended the world featherweight belt once that year, knocking out Jock Leslie in twelve rounds at Flint, Michigan. Nineteen forty-eight was a year that would become important in Pep's life: He won 15 bouts before going into what would be the first fight of his four-fight series with Sandy Saddler. He retained the title by beating Humberto Sierra by a knockout in 10 and he beat former world champion Paddy DeMarco, also in ten, but by decision. Then, on October 29, he lost the world featherweight title to Saddler in a fourth-round knockout. After two wins, he and Saddler met in 1949. On their rivalry's second installment, Pep recovered the World Featherweight Championship by beating Saddler in a 15-round decision, and then he engaged in a series of exhibition and ten round bouts before defending the crown against Eddie Campo, winning by a knockout in the seventh. He finished that year beating former bantamweight champion Harold Dade by a decision in ten at St. Louis. In 1950, he won nine fights before meeting Saddler for a third time. Those nine bouts included defenses against Charlie Riley, knocked out in five, and France's Ray Famechon, beaten by decision in 15. Then came the third fight with Saddler. Pep once again lost his World Featherweight Championship to Saddler, being unable to come out for the eighth round due to a separated shoulder suffered at the end of the seventh round. Pep was ahead on all scorecards (5–2, 5–2, 4–2).[11] Nineteen fifty-one brought a hint of controversy to Pep's life. He won eight bouts in a row to start the year, but his ninth bout, the last chapter of the rivalry with Saddler, was his most important bout that year. Pep quit because blood from his right eye was bothering him. According to Nat Fleischer in The Ring, December 1951, this was an extremely dirty fight, with "wrestling, heeling, eye gouging, tripping, thumbing- in fact every dirty trick known to the old timers..." Referee Ray Miller "let the bout get out of hand..." "The pattern of the 'contest' never varied. Pep wouldn't make a fight of it and Sandy couldn't. Pep too frequently backed around the ring and Saddler just as often missed as he kept boring in trying to corner his man. Then when he did, the rowdy tactics got under way and ended only when either both were sprawled on the canvas still wrestling each other, or the referee was outside the ring trying pull the boys apart or both fighters and official were entangled in a pretzel formation on the ring floor." Pep was ahead on the scorecards of the officials after eight rounds, but he quit after nine rounds, "declaring he no longer could continue because of severe pains caused by a deep cut over the right eye."[12] In 1952, Pep had 12 fights, winning 11. He was knocked out in six by Tommy Collins, but also held two wins over Billy Lima that year. Pep won all 11 fights in 1953, and entered 1954 on a 17-fight winning streak. After beating David Seabrooke by a decision, he lost to fringe contender Lulu Perez by TKO after a delayed reaction to a punch. Pep ended up winning three more bouts before the end of the year. Pep went on boxing for five more years, retiring in 1960, and then he came back in 1964 and boxed for two more years. During that last period of his boxing career, he won 43 bouts and lost only five, but his only opponent of note during that time was Hogan Kid Bassey, a future World Featherweight Champion who knocked Pep out in nine rounds. Pep boxed in Caracas, Venezuela, losing to Sonny Leon by a decision in 10, and in his last fight, in 1966, he lost to Calvin Woodland by a decision in six. Pep had a record of 229 wins, 11 losses and one draw, with 65 wins by knockout. Post-career After retiring, he and Saddler were involved in a series of exhibition bouts, and in 1980, Pep sued Sports Illustrated for running a story suggesting that he threw his fight with Perez. Pep lost the lawsuit, the jury deliberating just 15 minutes.[13] Pep remained active in boxing after hanging up the gloves, serving as an inspector and referee. In 1977, Pep was elected to the National Italian American Sports Hall of Fame. In March 2006, Pep resided at a nursing home in Connecticut, diagnosed with dementia pugilistica, before his death on November 23, 2006.[14] He is buried in Rocky Hill, CT. He left four children, William "Billy" Papaleo, Mary Papaleo, Michael Papaleo and Melissa Papaleo, and three stepchildren, April, L.J., Holly Miller.[15] Honors In 1945, Pep was voted Fighter of the Year by The Ring magazine. He was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in its inaugural year of 1990. Pep was ranked sixth on Ring Magazine's list of the 80 Best Fighters of the Last 80 Years in 2002. Pep was also named the third greatest fighter of all time by Bert Sugar. Pep was ranked 5th on ESPN's 50 Greatest Boxers Of All Time list in 2007. Willie Pep was voted as the Greatest Featherweight Ever by the Houston Boxing Hall Of Fame in 2014. The HBHOF is a voting body composed totally of current and former fighters. In 2011, the city of Middletown, Connecticut constructed the Willie Pep Skatepark named in honor of Pep.[16][17] Film In 2023, The Featherweight, a feature film based on Pep's life, was set to premiere at the 80th Venice International Film Festival. Directed by Robert Kolodny, the biographical film stars James Madio as Willie Pep and focuses primarily on the period before Pep's 1965 comeback. Lawrence Gilliard Jr. portrays Sandy Saddler, Stephen Lang plays Pep's trainer Bill Gore, Keir Gilchrist is Pep's son Billy, Ron Livingston is Pep's manager Bob Kaplan and Ruby Wolf portrays Pep's young wife Linda.[18][19][20] "No-punch" round There are claims that Pep won the third round in his fight against Jackie Graves in a fight on July 25, 1946, without throwing a punch. The "no-punch" winning round is disputed; several contemporary newspaper articles make no mention of it,[21][22][23] and an account in The Minneapolis Star describes the third round as "toe to toe slugging with Pep inflicting his best punishment with a right to the body".[24] Pep supposedly tipped off a few ringside reporters before the bout and told them he would win the third round without throwing "a punch of anger."[25] Professional boxing record 241 fights 229 wins 11 losses By knockout 65 6 By decision 164 5 Draws 1 No. Result Record Opponent Type Round, time Date Age Location Notes 241 Loss 229–11–1 Calvin Woodland UD 6 Mar 16, 1966 43 years, 178 days City Arena, Richmond, Virginia, US 240 Win 229–10–1 Ray Coleman KO 5 (10) Oct 25, 1965 43 years, 36 days Sports Center, Tucson, Arizona, US 239 Win 228–10–1 Sergio Musquiz TKO 5 (10) Oct 14, 1965 43 years, 25 days Sportatorium, Phoenix, Arizona, US 238 Win 227–10–1 Tommy Haden TKO 3 (10), 1:33 Oct 4, 1965 43 years, 15 days Rhode Island Auditorium, Providence, Pennsylvania, US 237 Win 226–10–1 Willie Little TKO 3 (10) Oct 1, 1965 43 years, 12 days War Memorial Arena, Johnstown, Pennsylvania, US 236 Win 225–10–1 Johnny Gilmore PTS 6 Sep 28, 1965 43 years, 9 days Arena, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, US 235 Win 224–10–1 Benny 'Red' Randall UD 10 Jul 21, 1965 42 years, 305 days Old Coliseum, Quebec City, Quebec, Canada 234 Win 223–10–1 Johnny Gilmore UD 6 May 21, 1965 42 years, 244 days Crystal Arena, Norwalk, Connecticut, US 233 Win 222–10–1 Jackie Lennon UD 6 Apr 26, 1965 42 years, 219 days Arena, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, US 232 Win 221–10–1 Harold McKeever UD 8 Mar 11, 1959 36 years, 173 days Little River Auditorium, Miami, Florida, US 231 Loss 220–10–1 Sonny Leon UD 10 Jan 26, 1959 36 years, 129 days Nuevo Circo, Caracas, Venezuela 230 Loss 220–9–1 Hogan 'Kid' Bassey TKO 9 (10) Sep 20, 1958 36 years, 1 day Boston Garden, Boston, Massachusetts, US 229 Win 220–8–1 Al Duarte UD 10 Aug 26, 1958 35 years, 341 days Glovers Bowl, North Adams, Massachusetts, US 228 Win 219–8–1 Jesse Rodriguez UD 10 Aug 9, 1958 35 years, 324 days Lake County Fairgrounds, Painesville, Ohio, US 227 Win 218–8–1 Luis Carmona UD 10 Aug 4, 1958 35 years, 319 days Northern Maine Fairgrounds, Presque Isle, Maine, US 226 Win 217–8–1 Bobby Bell UD 10 Jul 17, 1958 35 years, 301 days Arena, Norwood, Massachusetts, US 225 Win 216–8–1 Bobby Soares UD 10 Jul 1, 1958 35 years, 285 days Memorial Hall, Athol, Massachusetts, US 224 Win 215–8–1 Pat McCoy UD 10 Jun 23, 1958 35 years, 277 days Sargent Field, New Bedford, Massachusetts, US 223 Win 214–8–1 Bobby Singleton UD 10 May 20, 1958 35 years, 243 days Mechanics Building, Boston, Massachusetts, US 222 Win 213–8–1 Jimmy Kelly UD 10 Apr 29, 1958 35 years, 222 days Mechanics Building, Boston, Massachusetts, US 221 Win 212–8–1 Cleo Ortiz UD 10 Apr 14, 1958 35 years, 207 days Arcadia Ballroom, Providence, Rhode Island, US 220 Win 211–8–1 George Stephany PTS 10 Apr 8, 1958 35 years, 201 days Arena, Bristol, Connecticut, US 219 Win 210–8–1 Prince Johnson UD 10 Mar 31, 1958 35 years, 193 days Valley Arena, Holyoke, Massachusetts, US 218 Loss 209–8–1 Tommy Tibbs SD 10 Jan 14, 1958 35 years, 117 days Mechanics Building, Boston, Massachusetts, US 217 Win 209–7–1 Jimmy Connors UD 10 Dec 17, 1957 35 years, 89 days Boston Garden, Boston, Massachusetts, US 216 Win 208–7–1 Russell Tague UD 10 Jul 23, 1957 34 years, 307 days Sam Houston Coliseum, Houston, Texas, US 215 Win 207–7–1 Manny Castro UD 10 Jul 16, 1957 34 years, 300 days County Coliseum, El Paso, Texas, US 214 Win 206–7–1 Manny Castro UD 10 May 10, 1957 34 years, 233 days Memorial Stadium, Florence, South Carolina, US 213 Win 205–7–1 Cesar Morales UD 10 Apr 23, 1957 34 years, 216 days War Memorial Auditorium, Fort Lauderdale, Florida, US 212 Win 204–7–1 Hector Bacquettes TKO 5 (10) Jul 4, 1956 33 years, 289 days Roosevelt Stadium, Lawton, Oklahoma, US 211 Win 203–7–1 Russell Tague RTD 6 (10), 3:00 Jun 19, 1956 33 years, 274 days Auditorium, Miami Beach, Florida, US 210 Win 202–7–1 Manuel Armenteros RTD 6 (10), 3:00 May 22, 1956 33 years, 246 days Municipal Auditorium, San Antonio, Texas, US 209 Win 201–7–1 Jackie Blair PTS 10 Apr 17, 1956 33 years, 211 days State Theatre, Hartford, Connecticut, US 208 Win 200–7–1 Buddy Baggett UD 10 Mar 27, 1956 33 years, 190 days Sportatorium, Beaumont, Texas, US 207 Win 199–7–1 Kid Campeche UD 10 Mar 16, 1956 33 years, 179 days Fort Homer Hesterly Armory, Tampa, Florida, US 206 Win 198–7–1 Andy Arel UD 10 Dec 28, 1955 33 years, 100 days Auditorium, Miami Beach, Florida, US 205 Win 197–7–1 Leo Carter TKO 4 (?), 1:13 Dec 13, 1955 33 years, 85 days Auditorium, Houston, Texas, US 204 Win 196–7–1 Henry 'Pappy' Gault UD 10 Nov 29, 1955 33 years, 71 days Fort Homer Hesterly Armory, Tampa, Florida, US 203 Win 195–7–1 Charley Titone UD 10 Oct 10, 1955 33 years, 21 days Maple Arena, Brockton, Massachusetts, US 202 Win 194–7–1 Henry 'Pappy' Gault UD 10 Sep 27, 1955 33 years, 8 days Valley Arena, Holyoke, Massachusetts, US 201 Win 193–7–1 Jimmy Ithia TKO 6 (10), 1:54 Sep 13, 1955 32 years, 359 days State Theatre, Hartford, Connecticut, US 200 Win 192–7–1 Hector Rodriguez PTS 10 Jul 12, 1955 32 years, 296 days Hedges Stadium, Bridgeport, Connecticut, US 199 Win 191–7–1 Mickey Mars TKO 7 (10), 0:52 Jun 14, 1955 32 years, 268 days Auditorium, Miami Beach, Florida, US 198 Win 190–7–1 Joey Cam TKO 3 (10), 3:00 Jun 1, 1955 32 years, 255 days Arena, Boston, Massachusetts, US 197 Win 189–7–1 Gil Cadilli UD 10 May 18, 1955 32 years, 241 days Olympia Stadium, Detroit, Michigan, US 196 Loss 188–7–1 Gil Cadilli SD 10 Mar 30, 1955 32 years, 192 days Parks Air Force Base, California, US 195 Win 188–6–1 Charley Titone UD 10 Mar 22, 1955 32 years, 184 days Valley Arena, Holyoke, Massachusetts, US 194 Win 187–6–1 Myrel Olmstead UD 10 Mar 11, 1955 32 years, 173 days State Armory, Bennington, Vermont, US 193 Win 186–6–1 Mario 'Eladio' Colon PTS 10 Nov 1, 1954 32 years, 43 days Beach Arena, Daytona Beach, Florida, US 192 Win 185–6–1 Til LeBlanc UD 10 Aug 18, 1954 31 years, 333 days Moncton Arena, Moncton, New Brunswick, Canada 191 Win 184–6–1 Mike Tourcotte UD 10 Jul 24, 1954 31 years, 308 days Hartwell Field, Mobile, Alabama, US 190 Loss 183–6–1 Lulu Perez TKO 2 (10), 1:53 Feb 26, 1954 31 years, 160 days Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, US 189 Win 183–5–1 Davey Seabrook UD 10 Jan 19, 1954 31 years, 122 days Naval Air Station, Jacksonville, Florida, US 188 Win 182–5–1 Tony Longo UD 10 Dec 15, 1953 31 years, 87 days Auditorium, Miami Beach, Florida, US 187 Win 181–5–1 Billy Lima TKO 2 (10) Dec 8, 1953 31 years, 80 days City Auditorium, Houston, Texas, US 186 Win 180–5–1 Davey Allen PTS 10 Dec 4, 1953 31 years, 76 days Legion Arena, West Palm Beach, Florida, US 185 Win 179–5–1 Sonny Luciano UD 10 Nov 21, 1953 31 years, 63 days Armory, Charlotte, North Carolina, US 184 Win 178–5–1 Pat Marcune TKO 10 (10), 0:14 Jun 5, 1953 30 years, 259 days Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, US 183 Win 177–5–1 Jackie Blair UD 10 May 13, 1953 30 years, 236 days Will Rogers Coliseum, Fort Worth, Texas, US 182 Win 176–5–1 Noel Paquette UD 10 Apr 7, 1953 30 years, 200 days Auditorium, Miami Beach, Florida, US 181 Win 175–5–1 Joey Gambino UD 10 Mar 31, 1953 30 years, 193 days Fort Homer Hesterly Armory, Tampa, Florida, US 180 Win 174–5–1 Pepe Alvarez PTS 10 Feb 10, 1953 30 years, 144 days Municipal Auditorium, San Antonio, Texas, US 179 Win 173–5–1 Dave Mitchell UD 10 Jan 27, 1953 30 years, 130 days Auditorium, Miami Beach, Florida, US 178 Win 172–5–1 Billy Lauderdale UD 10 Jan 19, 1953 30 years, 122 days Nassau Stadium, Nassau, Bahamas 177 Win 171–5–1 Jorge Sanchez PTS 10 Dec 5, 1952 30 years, 77 days Legion Arena, West Palm Beach, Florida, US 176 Win 170–5–1 Fabela Chavez UD 10 Nov 19, 1952 30 years, 61 days Arena, Saint Louis, Missouri, US 175 Win 169–5–1 Manny Castro TKO 5 (10), 0:55 Nov 5, 1952 30 years, 47 days Auditorium, Miami Beach, Florida, US 174 Win 168–5–1 Billy Lima UD 10 Oct 20, 1952 30 years, 31 days Baseball Park, Jacksonville, Florida, US 173 Win 167–5–1 Armand Savoie UD 10 Oct 1, 1952 30 years, 12 days Chicago Stadium, Chicago, Illinois, US 172 Win 166–5–1 Bobby Woods UD 10 Sep 11, 1952 29 years, 358 days Denman Auditorium, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada 171 Win 165–5–1 Billy Lima UD 10 Sep 3, 1952 29 years, 350 days Legion Field, Pensacola, Florida, US 170 Loss 164–5–1 Tommy Collins TKO 6 (10), 0:55 Jun 30, 1952 29 years, 285 days Boston Garden, Boston, Massachusetts, US 169 Win 164–4–1 Claude Hammond UD 10 May 21, 1952 29 years, 245 days Auditorium, Miami Beach, Florida, US 168 Win 163–4–1 Buddy Baggett KO 5 (10) May 10, 1952 29 years, 234 days Eustis Park, Aiken, South Carolina, US 167 Win 162–4–1 Kenny Leach PTS 10 May 5, 1952 29 years, 229 days Golden Park, Columbus, Ohio, US 166 Win 161–4–1 Santiago Gonzalez UD 10 Apr 29, 1952 29 years, 223 days Fort Homer Hesterly Armory, Tampa, Florida, US 165 Loss 160–4–1 Sandy Saddler RTD 9 (15), 3:00 Sep 26, 1951 29 years, 7 days Polo Grounds, New York City, New York, US For NYSAC, NBA, and The Ring featherweight titles 164 Win 160–3–1 Rodolfo Gonzales UD 10 Sep 4, 1951 28 years, 350 days Municipal Auditorium, New Orleans, Louisiana, US 163 Win 159–3–1 Jesus Compos UD 10 Jun 4, 1951 28 years, 258 days Coliseum, Baltimore, Maryland, US 162 Win 158–3–1 Eddie Chavez MD 10 Apr 27, 1951 28 years, 220 days Cow Palace, Daly City, California, US 161 Win 157–3–1 Baby Neff Ortiz TKO 5 (10), 2:24 Apr 17, 1951 28 years, 210 days Kiel Auditorium, Saint Louis, Missouri, US 160 Win 156–3–1 Pat Iacobucci UD 10 Mar 26, 1951 28 years, 188 days Auditorium, Miami Beach, Florida, US 159 Win 155–3–1 Carlos Chávez UD 10 Mar 5, 1951 28 years, 167 days Coliseum Arena, New Orleans, Louisiana, US 158 Win 154–3–1 Eddie Webb TKO 2 (10), 1:05 Feb 26, 1951 28 years, 160 days Legion Coliseum, Sarasota, Florida, US 157 Win 153–3–1 Tommy Baker TKO 4 (10), 1:29 Jan 30, 1951 28 years, 133 days Auditorium, Hartford, Connecticut, US 156 Loss 152–3–1 Sandy Saddler RTD 8 (15), 3:00 Sep 8, 1950 27 years, 354 days Yankee Stadium, New York City, New York, US Lost NYSAC, NBA, and The Ring featherweight titles 155 Win 152–2–1 Proctor Heinhold UD 10 Aug 2, 1950 27 years, 317 days Catholic Youth Center, Scranton, Pennsylvania, US 154 Win 151–2–1 Bobby Bell UD 10 Jul 25, 1950 27 years, 309 days Griffith Stadium, Washington, DC, US 153 Win 150–2–1 Bobby Timpson UD 10 Jun 26, 1950 27 years, 280 days Outdoor Arena, Hartford, Connecticut, US 152 Win 149–2–1 Terry Young UD 10 Jun 1, 1950 27 years, 255 days Arena, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, US 151 Win 148–2–1 Asuncion Llanos KO 2 (10), 1:10 May 15, 1950 27 years, 238 days Auditorium, Hartford, Connecticut, US 150 Win 147–2–1 Ray Famechon UD 15 Mar 17, 1950 27 years, 179 days Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, US Retained NYSAC, NBA, and The Ring featherweight titles 149 Win 146–2–1 Jimmy Warren UD 10 Feb 22, 1950 27 years, 156 days Dinner Key Auditorium, Coconut Grove, Florida, US 148 Win 145–2–1 Roy Andrews UD 10 Feb 6, 1950 27 years, 140 days Boston Garden, Boston, Massachusetts, US 147 Win 144–2–1 Charley Riley KO 5 (15), 1:05 Jan 16, 1950 27 years, 119 days Kiel Auditorium, Saint Louis, Missouri, US Retained NYSAC, NBA, and The Ring featherweight titles 146 Win 143–2–1 Harold Dade UD 10 Dec 12, 1949 27 years, 84 days Kiel Auditorium, Saint Louis, Missouri, US 145 Win 142–2–1 Eddie Campo TKO 7 (15), 0:41 Sep 20, 1949 27 years, 1 day Municipal Stadium, Waterbury, Massachusetts, US Retained NYSAC, NBA, and The Ring featherweight titles 144 Win 141–2–1 Jean Mougin UD 10 Jul 12, 1949 26 years, 296 days MacArthur Stadium, Syracuse, New York, US 143 Win 140–2–1 Johnny LaRusso UD 10 Jun 20, 1949 26 years, 274 days Century Stadium, West Springfield, Massachusetts, US 142 Win 139–2–1 Al Pennino UD 10 Jun 14, 1949 26 years, 268 days Wahconah Park, Pittsfield, Massachusetts, US 141 Win 138–2–1 Luis Ramos PTS 10 Jun 6, 1949 26 years, 260 days Arena, New Haven, Connecticut, US 140 Win 137–2–1 Sandy Saddler UD 15 Feb 11, 1949 26 years, 145 days Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, US Won NYSAC, NBA, and The Ring featherweight titles 139 Win 136–2–1 Teddy Davis UD 10 Jan 17, 1949 26 years, 120 days Kiel Auditorium, Saint Louis, Missouri, US 138 Win 135–2–1 Hermie Freeman UD 10 Dec 20, 1948 26 years, 92 days Boston Garden, Boston, Massachusetts, US 137 Loss 134–2–1 Sandy Saddler KO 4 (15), 2:38 Oct 29, 1948 26 years, 40 days Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, US Lost NYSAC, NBA, and The Ring featherweight titles 136 Win 134–1–1 Johnny LaRusso PTS 10 Oct 19, 1948 26 years, 30 days Auditorium, Hartford, Connecticut, US 135 Win 133–1–1 Chuck Burton PTS 8 Oct 12, 1948 26 years, 23 days Jersey City Gardens, Jersey City, New Jersey, US 134 Win 132–1–1 Paddy DeMarco UD 10 Sep 10, 1948 25 years, 357 days Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, US 133 Win 131–1–1 Johnny Dell TKO 8 (10) Sep 2, 1948 25 years, 349 days Municipal Stadium, Waterbury, Connecticut, US 132 Win 130–1–1 Teddy Davis PTS 10 Aug 17, 1948 25 years, 333 days Auditorium Outdoor Arena, Hartford, Connecticut, US 131 Win 129–1–1 Teddy Davis PTS 10 Aug 3, 1948 25 years, 319 days Auditorium Outdoor Arena, Hartford, Connecticut, US 130 Win 128–1–1 Young Junior KO 1 (10) Jul 28, 1948 25 years, 313 days Bennett's Field, Utica, New York, US 129 Win 127–1–1 Luther Burgess UD 10 Jun 25, 1948 25 years, 280 days Atwood Stadium, Flint, Michigan, US 128 Win 126–1–1 Miguel Acevedo UD 10 Jun 17, 1948 25 years, 272 days Auditorium, Minneapolis, Minnesota, US 127 Win 125–1–1 Charley Lewis UD 10 May 19, 1948 25 years, 243 days Auditorium, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, US 126 Win 124–1–1 Leroy Willis UD 10 May 7, 1948 25 years, 231 days Olympia Stadium, Detroit, Michigan, US 125 Win 123–1–1 Humberto Sierra TKO 10 (15), 0:22 Feb 24, 1948 25 years, 158 days Orange Bowl, Miami, Florida, US Retained NYSAC, NBA, and The Ring featherweight titles 124 Win 122–1–1 Joey Angelo UD 10 Jan 19, 1948 25 years, 122 days Boston Garden, Boston, Massachusetts, US 123 Win 121–1–1 Jimmy McAllister UD 10 Jan 12, 1948 25 years, 115 days Kiel Auditorium, Saint Louis, Missouri, US 122 Win 120–1–1 Pedro Biesca PTS 10 Jan 6, 1948 25 years, 109 days Auditorium, Hartford, Connecticut, US 121 Win 119–1–1 Lefty LaChance TKO 8 (10) Dec 30, 1947 25 years, 102 days Recreation Center, Manchester, New Hampshire, US 120 Win 118–1–1 Alvaro Estrada UD 10 Dec 22, 1947 25 years, 94 days City Hall, Lewiston, Maine, US 119 Win 117–1–1 Archie Wilmer MD 10 Oct 27, 1947 25 years, 38 days Arena, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, US 118 Win 116–1–1 Jean Barriere KO 1 (10), 2:07 Oct 21, 1947 25 years, 32 days Exposition Building, Portland, Maine, US 117 Win 115–1–1 Jock Leslie KO 12 (15), 0:45 Aug 22, 1947 24 years, 337 days Atwood Stadium, Flint, Michigan, US Retained NYSAC, NBA, and The Ring featherweight titles 116 Win 114–1–1 Humberto Sierra UD 10 Jul 23, 1947 24 years, 307 days Auditorium Outdoor Arena, Hartford, Connecticut, US 115 Win 113–1–1 Paulie Jackson UD 10 Jul 15, 1947 24 years, 299 days Sargent Field, New Bedford, Massachusetts, US 114 Win 112–1–1 Jean Barriere KO 4 (10), 1:58 Jul 11, 1947 24 years, 295 days Meadowbrook Arena, North Adams, Massachusetts, US 113 Win 111–1–1 Leo LeBrun PTS 8 Jul 8, 1947 24 years, 292 days Crystal Arena, Norwalk, Connecticut, US 112 Win 110–1–1 Joey Fontana KO 5 (10), 1:00 Jul 1, 1947 24 years, 285 days Hawkins Stadium, Albany, New York, US 111 Win 109–1–1 Victor Flores PTS 10 Jun 17, 1947 24 years, 271 days Auditorium, Hartford, Connecticut, US 110 Win 108–1–1 Chalky Wright KO 3 (10), 1:05 Nov 27, 1946 24 years, 69 days Auditorium, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, US 109 Win 107–1–1 Tomas Beato KO 2 (10) Nov 15, 1946 24 years, 57 days State Armory, Waterbury, Connecticut, US 108 Win 106–1–1 Paulie Jackson PTS 10 Nov 1, 1946 24 years, 43 days Auditorium, Minneapolis, Minnesota, US 107 Win 105–1–1 Lefty LaChance TKO 3 (10), 1:47 Sep 17, 1946 23 years, 363 days Auditorium Outdoor Arena, Hartford, Connecticut, US 106 Win 104–1–1 Walter Kolby TKO 5 (10), 2:26 Sep 4, 1946 23 years, 350 days Memorial Auditorium, Buffalo, New York, US 105 Win 103–1–1 Doll Rafferty KO 6 (10), 1:10 Aug 26, 1946 23 years, 341 days Auditorium, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, US 104 Win 102–1–1 Jackie Graves TKO 8 (10), 1:52 Jul 25, 1946 23 years, 309 days Auditorium, Minneapolis, Minnesota, US 103 Win 101–1–1 Harold Gibson TKO 7 (10), 2:21 Jul 10, 1946 23 years, 294 days Civic Stadium, Buffalo, New York, US 102 Win 100–1–1 Sal Bartolo KO 12 (15), 2:41 Jun 7, 1946 23 years, 261 days Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, US Retained NYSAC and The Ring featherweight titles; Won NBA featherweight title 101 Win 99–1–1 Jimmy Joyce PTS 8 May 27, 1946 23 years, 250 days Auditorium, Minneapolis, Minnesota, US 100 Win 98–1–1 Jose Aponte Torres UD 10 May 22, 1946 23 years, 245 days Kiel Auditorium, Saint Louis, Missouri, US 99 Win 97–1–1 Joey Angelo UD 10 May 13, 1946 23 years, 236 days Rhode Island Auditorium, Providence, Rhode Island, US 98 Win 96–1–1 Ernie Petrone PTS 10 May 6, 1946 23 years, 229 days Arena, New Haven, Connecticut, US 97 Win 95–1–1 Georgie Knox TKO 3 (10), 1:45 Apr 8, 1946 23 years, 201 days Rhode Island Auditorium, Providence, Rhode Island, US 96 Win 94–1–1 Jackie Wilson UD 10 Mar 26, 1946 23 years, 188 days Municipal Auditorium, Kansas City, Missouri, US 95 Win 93–1–1 Jimmy McAllister KO 2 (10), 2:44 Mar 1, 1946 23 years, 163 days Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, US 94 Win 92–1–1 Jimmy Joyce UD 10 Feb 13, 1946 23 years, 147 days Memorial Auditorium, Buffalo, New York, US 93 Win 91–1–1 Johnny Virgo KO 2 (10), 1:05 Jan 15, 1946 23 years, 118 days Memorial Auditorium, Buffalo, New York, US 92 Draw 90–1–1 Jimmy McAllister MD 10 Dec 13, 1945 23 years, 85 days Baltimore Garden, Baltimore, Maryland, US 91 Win 90–1 Harold Gibson PTS 10 Dec 5, 1945 23 years, 77 days Armory, Lewiston, Maine, US 90 Win 89–1 Eddie Giosa UD 10 Nov 26, 1945 23 years, 68 days Mechanics Building, Boston, Massachusetts, US 89 Win 88–1 Mike Martyk TKO 5 (10), 2:39 Nov 5, 1945 23 years, 47 days Memorial Auditorium, Buffalo, New York, US 88 Win 87–1 Paulie Jackson PTS 8 Oct 30, 1945 23 years, 41 days Auditorium, Hartford, Connecticut, US 87 Win 86–1 Phil Terranova UD 15 Feb 19, 1945 22 years, 153 days Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, US Retained NYSAC and The Ring featherweight titles 86 Win 85–1 Willie Roache PTS 10 Feb 5, 1945 22 years, 139 days Arena, New Haven, Connecticut, US 85 Win 84–1 Ralph Walton PTS 10 Jan 23, 1945 22 years, 126 days Auditorium, Hartford, Connecticut, US 84 Win 83–1 Chalky Wright UD 10 Dec 5, 1944 22 years, 77 days Arena, Cleveland, Cleveland, US 83 Win 82–1 Pedro Hernández PTS 10 Nov 27, 1944 22 years, 69 days Uline Arena, Washington, DC, US 82 Win 81–1 Charley Lewis UD 10 Nov 14, 1944 22 years, 56 days Auditorium, Hartford, Connecticut, US 81 Win 80–1 Jackie Leamus UD 10 Oct 25, 1944 22 years, 36 days Forum, Montreal, Quebec, Canada 80 Win 79–1 Chalky Wright UD 15 Sep 29, 1944 22 years, 10 days Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, US Retained NYSAC and The Ring featherweight titles 79 Win 78–1 Charley Lewis TKO 8 (10), 1:52 Sep 19, 1944 22 years, 0 days Auditorium Outdoor Arena, Hartford, Connecticut, US 78 Win 77–1 Joey Peralta UD 10 Aug 28, 1944 21 years, 344 days Century Stadium, West Springfield, Massachusetts, US 77 Win 76–1 Lulu Costantino UD 10 Aug 4, 1944 21 years, 320 days Municipal Stadium, Waterbury, Connecticut, US 76 Win 75–1 Manuel Ortiz UD 10 Jul 17, 1944 21 years, 302 days Braves Field, Boston, Massachusetts, US 75 Win 74–1 Willie Joyce UD 10 Jul 7, 1944 21 years, 292 days Comiskey Park, Chicago, Illinois, US 74 Win 73–1 Julie Kogon PTS 10 Jun 6, 1944 21 years, 261 days Memorial Auditorium, Buffalo, New York, US 73 Win 72–1 Joey Bagnato KO 2 (10), 1:03 May 23, 1944 21 years, 247 days Memorial Auditorium, Buffalo, New York, US 72 Win 71–1 Frankie Rubino PTS 10 May 19, 1944 21 years, 243 days Coliseum, Chicago, Illinois, US 71 Win 70–1 Jackie Leamus UD 10 May 1, 1944 21 years, 225 days Arena, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, US 70 Win 69–1 Harold 'Snooks' Lacey PTS 10 Apr 20, 1944 21 years, 214 days Arena, New Haven, Connecticut, US 69 Win 68–1 Leo Francis PTS 10 Apr 4, 1944 21 years, 198 days Auditorium, Hartford, Connecticut, US 68 Win 67–1 Sal Bartolo UD 15 Jun 8, 1943 20 years, 262 days Braves Field, Boston, Massachusetts, US Retained NYSAC and The Ring featherweight titles 67 Win 66–1 Jackie Wilson UD 12 Apr 26, 1943 20 years, 219 days Duquesne Gardens, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, US 66 Win 65–1 Angel Aviles PTS 10 Apr 19, 1943 20 years, 212 days Municipal Auditorium, Tampa, Florida, US 65 Win 64–1 Sal Bartolo SD 10 Apr 9, 1943 20 years, 202 days Boston Garden, Boston, Massachusetts, US 64 Win 63–1 Bobby McIntire UD 10 Mar 29, 1943 20 years, 191 days Arena Gardens, Detroit, Michigan, US 63 Loss 62–1 Sammy Angott UD 10 Mar 19, 1943 20 years, 181 days Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, US 62 Win 62–0 Lou Transparenti KO 6 (10), 1:20 Mar 2, 1943 20 years, 164 days Auditorium, Hartford, Connecticut, US 61 Win 61–0 Bill Speary UD 10 Feb 15, 1943 20 years, 149 days Coliseum, Baltimore, Maryland, US 60 Win 60–0 Davey Crawford UD 10 Feb 11, 1943 20 years, 145 days Mechanics Building, Boston, Massachusetts, US 59 Win 59–0 Allie Stolz UD 10 Jan 29, 1943 20 years, 132 days Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, US 58 Win 58–0 Bill Speary PTS 10 Jan 19, 1943 20 years, 122 days Auditorium, Hartford, Connecticut, US 57 Win 57–0 Vince Dell'Orto PTS 10 Jan 4, 1943 20 years, 107 days Municipal Auditorium, New Orleans, New Orleans, US 56 Win 56–0 Joey Silva RTD 9 (10) Dec 21, 1942 20 years, 93 days Washington Hotel Auditorium, Jacksonville, Florida, US 55 Win 55–0 Jose Aponte Torres TKO 7 (10) Dec 14, 1942 20 years, 86 days Turner's Arena, Washington, DC, US 54 Win 54–0 Chalky Wright UD 15 Nov 20, 1942 20 years, 62 days Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, US Won NYSAC and The Ring featherweight titles 53 Win 53–0 George Zengaras PTS 10 Oct 27, 1942 20 years, 38 days Auditorium, Hartford, Connecticut, US 52 Win 52–0 Joey Archibald UD 10 Oct 16, 1942 20 years, 27 days Rhode Island Auditorium, Providence, Rhode Island, US 51 Win 51–0 Bobby McIntire UD 10 Oct 5, 1942 20 years, 16 days Valley Arena, Holyoke, Massachusetts, US 50 Win 50–0 Vince Dell'Orto PTS 10 Sep 22, 1942 20 years, 3 days Bulkeley Stadium, Hartford, Connecticut, US 49 Win 49–0 Frank Franconeri TKO 1 (8), 2:07 Sep 10, 1942 19 years, 356 days Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, US 48 Win 48–0 Bobby Ivy TKO 10 (10), 1:30 Sep 1, 1942 19 years, 347 days White City Stadium, West Haven, Connecticut, US 47 Win 47–0 Nat Litfin PTS 10 Aug 20, 1942 19 years, 335 days White City Stadium, West Haven, Connecticut, US 46 Win 46–0 Pedro Hernandez PTS 10 Aug 11, 1942 19 years, 326 days Bulkeley Stadium, Hartford, Connecticut, US 45 Win 45–0 Joey Silva RTD 7 (8) Aug 1, 1942 19 years, 316 days Randolph-Clowes Stadium, Waterbury, Connecticut, US 44 Win 44–0 Abe Denner PTS 12 Jul 21, 1942 19 years, 305 days Bulkeley Stadium, Hartford, Connecticut, US Won USA New England featherweight title 43 Win 43–0 Joey Archibald PTS 10 Jun 23, 1942 19 years, 277 days Bulkeley Stadium, Hartford, Connecticut, US 42 Win 42–0 Joey Iannotti PTS 8 May 26, 1942 19 years, 249 days Auditorium, Hartford, Connecticut, US 41 Win 41–0 Aaron Seltzer PTS 8 May 12, 1942 19 years, 235 days Auditorium, Hartford, Connecticut, US 40 Win 40–0 Curley Nichols PTS 8 May 4, 1942 19 years, 227 days Arena, New Haven, Connecticut, US 39 Win 39–0 Spider Armstrong KO 4 (8), 2:40 Apr 14, 1942 19 years, 207 days Auditorium, Hartford, Connecticut, US 38 Win 38–0 Johnny Compo PTS 8 Mar 18, 1942 19 years, 180 days Arena, New Haven, Connecticut, US 37 Win 37–0 Willie Roache PTS 8 Feb 24, 1942 19 years, 158 days Foot Guard Hall, Hartford, Connecticut, US 36 Win 36–0 Angelo Callura PTS 8 Feb 10, 1942 19 years, 144 days Foot Guard Hall, Hartford, Connecticut, US 35 Win 35–0 Abie Kaufman PTS 8 Jan 27, 1942 19 years, 130 days Foot Guard Hall, Hartford, Connecticut, US 34 Win 34–0 Sammy Parrotta PTS 4 Jan 16, 1942 19 years, 119 days Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, US 33 Win 33–0 'Mexican' Joe Rivers TKO 4 (8) Jan 8, 1942 19 years, 111 days Casino, Fall River, Massachusetts, US 32 Win 32–0 Ruby Garcia UD 4 Dec 12, 1941 19 years, 84 days Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, US 31 Win 31–0 Davey Crawford UD 8 Nov 24, 1941 19 years, 66 days Valley Arena, Holyoke, Massachusetts, US 30 Win 30–0 Buddy Spencer UD 4 Nov 7, 1941 19 years, 49 days Legion Stadium, Hollywood, California, US 29 Win 29–0 Connie Savoie TKO 2 (8) Oct 21, 1941 19 years, 32 days Foot Guard Hall, Hartford, Connecticut, US 28 Win 28–0 Carlos Manzano PTS 8 Oct 9, 1941 19 years, 20 days Arena, New Haven, Connecticut, US 27 Win 27–0 Jackie Harris TKO 1 (8) Sep 25, 1941 19 years, 6 days Arena, New Haven, Connecticut, US 26 Win 26–0 Eddie Flores KO 1 (8), 2:30 Aug 11, 1941 18 years, 326 days Carpet City Arena, Thompsonville, Connecticut, US 25 Win 25–0 Paul Frechette TKO 3 (6) Aug 5, 1941 18 years, 320 days Bulkeley Stadium, Hartford, Connecticut, US 24 Win 24–0 Jimmy Gilligan UD 8 Jul 15, 1941 18 years, 299 days Bulkeley Stadium, Hartford, Connecticut, US 23 Win 23–0 Eddie DeAngelis TKO 3 (8) Jun 24, 1941 18 years, 278 days Bulkeley Stadium, Hartford, Connecticut, US 22 Win 22–0 Harry Hintlian UD 6 Jun 19, 1941 18 years, 273 days Red Men's Arena, Manchester, Connecticut, US 21 Win 21–0 Johnny Cockfield UD 6 May 12, 1941 18 years, 235 days Valley Arena, Holyoke, Massachusetts, US 20 Win 20–0 Lou Puglese KO 2 (6), 1:30 May 6, 1941 18 years, 229 days Foot Guard Hall, Hartford, Connecticut, US 19 Win 19–0 Joey Silva PTS 6 Apr 22, 1941 18 years, 215 days Foot Guard Hall, Hartford, Connecticut, US 18 Win 18–0 Henry Vasquez UD 6 Apr 14, 1941 18 years, 207 days Valley Arena, Holyoke, Massachusetts, US 17 Win 17–0 Joey Gatto KO 2 (6) Mar 31, 1941 18 years, 193 days Valley Arena, Holyoke, Massachusetts, US 16 Win 16–0 Marty Shapiro PTS 6 Mar 25, 1941 18 years, 187 days Foot Guard Hall, Hartford, Connecticut, US 15 Win 15–0 Ruby Garcia UD 6 Mar 3, 1941 18 years, 165 days Valley Arena, Holyoke, Massachusetts, US 14 Win 14–0 Ruby Garcia UD 6 Feb 17, 1941 18 years, 151 days Valley Arena, Holyoke, Massachusetts, US 13 Win 13–0 Don Lyons KO 2 (6) Feb 10, 1941 18 years, 144 days Valley Arena, Holyoke, Massachusetts, US 12 Win 12–0 Augie Almeida TKO 6 (6), 2:20 Jan 28, 1941 18 years, 131 days Arena, New Haven, Connecticut, US 11 Win 11–0 Joe Echevarria UD 6 Jan 13, 1941 18 years, 116 days Valley Arena, Holyoke, Massachusetts, US 10 Win 10–0 Jimmy Mutone KO 2 (6) Dec 6, 1940 18 years, 78 days Stanley Arena, New Britain, Connecticut, US 9 Win 9–0 Frank Topazio TKO 5 (6) Nov 29, 1940 18 years, 71 days Stanley Arena, New Britain, Connecticut, US 8 Win 8–0 Carlo Daponde TKO 6 (6) Nov 22, 1940 18 years, 64 days Stanley Arena, New Britain, Connecticut, US 7 Win 7–0 James McGovern PTS 4 Oct 24, 1940 18 years, 35 days Arena, New Haven, Connecticut, US 6 Win 6–0 Jimmy Ritchie TKO 3 (6) Oct 3, 1940 18 years, 14 days Municipal Stadium, Waterbury, Connecticut, US 5 Win 5–0 Jackie Moore UD 6 Sep 19, 1940 18 years, 0 days Bulkeley Stadium, Hartford, Connecticut, US 4 Win 4–0 Joey Marcus UD 4 Sep 5, 1940 17 years, 352 days Randolph-Clowes Stadium, Waterbury, Connecticut, US 3 Win 3–0 Tommy Burns TKO 1 (4) Aug 29, 1940 17 years, 345 days Bulkeley Stadium, Hartford, Connecticut, US 2 Win 2–0 Joey Wasnick KO 3 (4) Aug 8, 1940 17 years, 324 days Bulkeley Stadium, Hartford, Connecticut, US 1 Win 1–0 Joey Marcus UD 4 Jul 25, 1940 17 years, 310 days Bulkeley Stadium, Hartford, Connecticut, US Featherweight is a weight class in the combat sports of boxing, kickboxing, mixed martial arts, and Greco-Roman wrestling. Boxing Professional boxing History A featherweight boxer weighs in at a limit of 126 pounds (57 kg). In the early days of the division, this limit fluctuated. The British have generally always recognized the limit at 126 pounds, but in America the weight limit was at first 114 pounds. An early champion, George Dixon, moved the limit to 120 and then 122 pounds. Finally, in 1920 the United States fixed the limit at 126 pounds.[1] The 1860 fight between Nobby Clark and Jim Elliott is sometimes called the first featherweight championship. However, the division only gained wide acceptance in 1889 after the Ike Weir–Frank Murphy fight (one of the most famous fights of all time). Since the end of the 2000s and early 2010s the featherweight division is one of the most active in boxing with fighters such as Orlando Salido, Chris John, Juan Manuel López, Celestino Caballero, Yuriorkis Gamboa, Elio Rojas, Israel Vazquez, Cristobal Cruz, Rafael Márquez, Rocky Juarez, Steven Luevano, Naseem Hamed, Marco Antonio Barrera and Manny Pacquiao. Current world champions Main article: List of world featherweight boxing champions Sanctioning Body Reign Began Champion Record Defenses WBA May 27, 2023 Leigh Wood 27–3 (16 KO) 0 WBC July 9, 2022 Rey Vargas 36–1 (22 KO) 0 IBF December 10, 2022 Luis Alberto Lopez 28–2 (16 KO) 1 WBO April 1, 2023 Robeisy Ramírez 12–1 (7 KO) 0 Current The Ring world rankings As of June 20, 2023.[2] Keys:  C  Current The Ring world champion Rank Name Record Title(s) C vacant 1 Luis Alberto Lopez 28–2 (16 KO) IBF 2 Rey Vargas 36–1 (22 KO) WBC 3 Leigh Wood 27–3 (16 KO) WBA 4 Brandon Figueroa 24–1–1 (18 KO) 5 Robeisy Ramírez 12–1 (7 KO) WBO 6 Mauricio Lara 26–3–1 (19 KO) 7 Mark Magsayo 24–2 (16 KO) 8 Josh Warrington 31–2–1 (8 KO) 9 Reiya Abe 25–3–1 (10 KO) 10 Ruben Villa 20–1 (7 KO) Longest reigning world featherweight champions Below is a list of longest reigning featherweight champions in boxing measured by the individual's longest reign. Career total time as champion (for multiple time champions) does not apply. Name Title reign Title recognition Successful defenses Beaten opponents Fights 1. Johnny Kilbane 11 years, 3 months, 24 days World/NYSAC 4 2 [3][4] 2. Chris John 10 years, 1 month, 5 days WBA 18 16 [5] 3. Abe Attell 8 years, 5 months, 19 days World 22 14 [6] 4. Eusebio Pedroza 7 years, 1 month, 23 days WBA 19 18 [7] 5. Gary Russell, Jr. 6 years, 9 month, 25 days WBC 5 5 [8] 6. Sandy Saddler 6 years, 4 months, 13 days World 4 3 [9][10] 7. Léo Santa Cruz 5 years, 10 months, 13 days WBA (Super) 5 5 [11] 8. Naseem Hamed 4 years, 11 months, 20 days WBO 15 15 [12] 9. George Dixon 4 years, 5 months World 4 4 [13][14] 10. Antonio Esparragoza 4 years, 27 days WBA 7 7 [15] 11. Davey Moore 4 years, 3 days World 5 4 [16] Amateur boxing In amateur boxing, the weight limit is 54 to 57 kilograms (119 to 126 lb) for women and 52 to 57 kilograms (115 to 126 lb) for men. To make room for the introduction of women's boxing to the Olympics in 2012, the men's featherweight class was dropped down one kilogram and became bantamweight. Following further adjustments, the 2020 Olympics will again feature men's featherweight and, for the first time, women's featherweight.[17] Olympic champions Men’s 1904 –  Oliver Kirk (USA) 1908 –  Richard Gunn (GBR) 1920 –  Paul Fritsch (FRA) 1924 –  Jackie Fields (USA) 1928 –  Bep van Klaveren (NED) 1932 –  Carmelo Robledo (ARG) 1936 –  Oscar Casanovas (ARG) 1948 –  Ernesto Formenti (ITA) 1952 –  Jan Zachara (TCH) 1956 –  Vladimir Safronov (URS) 1960 –  Francesco Musso (ITA) 1964 –  Stanislav Stepashkin (URS) 1968 –  Antonio Roldán (MEX) 1972 –  Boris Kuznetsov (URS) 1976 –  Ángel Herrera (CUB) 1980 –  Rudi Fink (GDR) 1984 –  Meldrick Taylor (USA) 1988 –  Giovanni Parisi (ITA) 1992 –  Andreas Tews (GER) 1996 –  Somluck Kamsing (THA) 2000 –  Bekzat Sattarkhanov (KAZ) 2004 –  Alexei Tichtchenko (RUS) 2008 –  Vasiliy Lomachenko (UKR) 2020 –  Albert Batyrgaziev (ROC) Pan American Champions 1951 – Argentina Francisco Núñez (ARG) 1955 – Argentina Oswaldo Cañete (ARG) 1959 – Argentina Carlos Aro (ARG) 1963 – Brazil Rosemiro Mateus (BRA) 1967 – Argentina Miguel García (ARG) 1971 – Mexico Juan García (MEX) 1975 – United States Dave Armstrong (United States) 1979 – United States Bernard Taylor (United States) 1983 – Cuba Adolfo Horta (CUB) 1987 – United States Kelcie Banks (United States) 1991 – Cuba Arnaldo Mesa (CUB) 1995 – Cuba Arnaldo Mesa (CUB) 1999 – Cuba Yudel Johnson (CUB) 2003 – Colombia Likar Ramos Concha (COL) 2007 – Cuba Idel Torriente (CUB) Notable featherweights Alexis Argüello Henry Armstrong Abe Attell Marco Antonio Barrera Kid Chocolate Luisito Espinosa Wilfredo Gómez Wilfredo Vázquez Naseem Hamed Paul Ingle Chris 'The Dragon' John Tom "Boom Boom" Johnson Kevin Kelley Derrick Gainer Kina Malpartida Juan Manuel Márquez Barry McGuigan Érik Morales Azumah Nelson Manny Pacquiao Nonito "The Filipino Flash" Donaire Tommy Paul Willie Pep Sandy Saddler Calvin Grove Vicente Saldivar Salvador Sánchez Orlando Salido Miguel Ángel García Juan Manuel López Yuriorkis Gamboa Jeff Fenech Vasiliy Lomachenko Kickboxing In kickboxing, a featherweight fighter generally weighs between 55 and 59 kg (121 and 130 lb). However, some governing bodies have slightly different classes. For example, the International Kickboxing Federation (IKF) featherweight division (professional and amateur) is between 122.1–127 lb (55.4–57.6 kg). In Glory promotion, a featherweight division is up to 65 kg (143 lb).[18] In Bellator Kickboxing promotion, a featherweight division is up to 66 kg (146 lb). In ONE Championship, the featherweight division limit is 70.3 kg (155 lb). Bare-knuckle boxing The limit for featherweight generally differs among promotions in bare-knuckle boxing: In Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship, the featherweight division has an upper limit of 145 lb (66 kg). In BKB™, the featherweight division has an upper limit of 76 kg (168 lb). Lethwei International Lethwei Federation Japan has a featherweight division with an upper limit of 65 kg (143 lb). In International Lethwei Federation Japan, Thar A Thae Ta Pwint is the Featherweight Champion. In World Lethwei Championship, the featherweight division has an upper limit of 57 kg (126 lb). Mixed Martial Arts Main article: Featherweight (MMA) In MMA, within the UFC company and most other MMA companies the featherweight range is from 136 to 145 lb (62 to 66 kg). Current champions These tables were last updated in February 2023. Men: Organization Reign Began Champion Record Defenses UFC December 14, 2019 Australia Alexander Volkanovski 25–2 (12KO 3SUB) 4 Bellator MMA April 15, 2022 Brazil Patrício Pitbull 33–5 (11KO 12SUB) 1 ONE Championship August 26, 2022 China Tang Kai 15–2 (12KO 0SUB) 0 ACA July 22, 2022 Russia Alikhan Suleymanov 15–2 (1KO 10SUB) 0 Cage Warriors November 4, 2022 England Paul Hughes 9–1 (3KO 3SUB) 0 M-1 Global Vacant AMC Fight Nights October 14, 2022 Russia Gleb Khabibulin 7–1–2 (4KO 3SUB) 0 Brave Combat Federation October 22, 2022 Russia Roman Bogatov 13–1 (1KO 5SUB) 0 Titan FC August 06, 2021 Jordan Ali al-Qaisi 12–5 (2KO 4SUB) 0 Legacy Fighting Alliance Vacant Road FC December 18, 2022 South Korea Hae Jin Park 10–2 (1KO 4SUB) 0 KSW December 18, 2021 France Salahdine Parnasse 17–1–1 (2KO 6SUB) 1 Women: Organization Reign Began Champion Record Defenses Bellator MMA January 25, 2020 Brazil Cris Cyborg 29–2 (1) (20KO 1SUB) 4 UFC December 29, 2018 Brazil Amanda Nunes 21–5 (13KO 3SUB) 2 Invicta FC Vacant Boxing (also known as "western boxing" or "pugilism") is a combat sport and a martial art[1][2][3][4] in which two people, usually wearing protective gloves and other protective equipment such as hand wraps and mouthguards, throw punches at each other for a predetermined amount of time in a boxing ring. Although the term boxing is commonly attributed to Western boxing, in which only fists are involved, it has developed in different ways in different geographical areas and cultures of the World. In global terms, "boxing" today is also a set of combat sports focused on striking, in which two opponents face each other in a fight using at least their fists, and possibly involving other actions such as kicks, elbow strikes, knee strikes, and headbutts, depending on the rules. Some of these variants are the bare knuckle boxing, kickboxing, muay-thai, lethwei, savate, and sanda.[5][6] Boxing techniques have been incorporated into many martial arts, military systems, and other combat sports. Though humans have fought in hand-to-hand combat since the dawn of human history and the origin of the sport of boxing is unknown,[7] according to some sources boxing has prehistoric origins in present-day Ethiopia where it appeared in the sixth millennium BC and when the Egyptians invaded Nubia they learned the art of boxing from the local population and they took the sport to Egypt where it became popular and from Egypt boxing spread to other countries including Greece, and eastward to Mesopotamia and northward to Rome.[8] The earliest visual evidence of any type of boxing is from Egypt and Sumer both from the third millennia[9] and can be seen in Sumerian carvings from the third and second millennia BC.[10][11][12][13] The earliest evidence of boxing rules dates back to Ancient Greece, where boxing was established as an Olympic game in 688 BC.[10] Boxing evolved from 16th- and 18th-century prizefights, largely in Great Britain, to the forerunner of modern boxing in the mid-19th century with the 1867 introduction of the Marquess of Queensberry Rules. Amateur boxing is both an Olympic and Commonwealth Games sport and is a standard fixture in most international games—it also has its world championships. Boxing is overseen by a referee over a series of one-to-three-minute intervals called "rounds". A winner can be resolved before the completion of the rounds when a referee deems an opponent incapable of continuing, disqualifies an opponent, or the opponent resigns. When the fight reaches the end of its final round with both opponents still standing, the judges' scorecards determine the victor. In case both fighters gain equal scores from the judges, a professional bout is considered a draw. In Olympic boxing, because a winner must be declared, judges award the contest to one fighter on technical criteria. History Ancient history See also: Ancient Greek boxing and History of physical training and fitness A painting of Minoan youths boxing, from an Akrotiri fresco circa 1650 BC. This is the earliest documented use of boxing gloves. A boxing scene depicted on a Panathenaic amphora from Ancient Greece, circa 336 BC, British Museum Hitting with different extremities of the body, such as kicks and punches, as an act of human aggression, has existed across the world throughout human history, being a combat system as old as wrestling. However, in terms of sports competition, due to the lack of writing in the prehistoric times and the lack of references, it is not possible to determine rules of any kind of boxing in prehistory, and in ancient times only can be inferred from the few intact sources and references to the sport. The origin of the sport of boxing is unknown,[14] however according to some sources boxing has prehistoric origins in present-day Ethiopia, where it appeared in the sixth millennium BC. When the Egyptians invaded Nubia they learned the art of boxing from the local population, and they took the sport to Egypt where it became popular. From Egypt, boxing spread to other countries including Greece, eastward to Mesopotamia, and northward to Rome.[15] The earliest visual evidence of boxing comes from Egypt and Sumer both from the third millennium BC.[16] [10] A relief sculpture from Egyptian Thebes (c. 1350 BC) shows both boxers and spectators.[10] These early Middle-Eastern and Egyptian depictions showed contests where fighters were either bare-fisted or had a band supporting the wrist.[10] The earliest evidence of use of gloves can be found in Minoan Crete (c. 1500–1400 BC).[10] Various types of boxing existed in ancient India. The earliest references to musti-yuddha come from classical Vedic epics such as the Rig Veda (c. 1500–1000 BCE) and Ramayana (c. 700–400 BCE).[17] The Mahabharata describes two combatants boxing with clenched fists and fighting with kicks, finger strikes, knee strikes and headbutts during the time of King Virata.[18] 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.[19] The Gurbilas Shemi, an 18th-century Sikh text, gives numerous references to musti-yuddha. The martial art is related to other forms of martial arts found in other parts of the Indian cultural sphere including Muay Thai in Thailand, Muay Lao in Laos, Pradal Serey in Cambodia and Lethwei in Myanmar.[20][21] In Ancient Greece boxing was a well developed sport called pygmachia, and enjoyed consistent popularity. In Olympic terms, 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 heavier fighters 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 or the use of kicks was common,[22][23] in which it resembled modern western boxing. A boxer and a rooster in a Roman mosaic of first century AD at the National Archaeological Museum, Naples Boxing was a popular spectator sport in Ancient Rome.[24] Fighters protected their knuckles with leather strips wrapped around their fists. Eventually harder leather was used and the strips became a weapon. Metal studs were introduced to the strips to make the cestus. Fighting events were held at Roman amphitheatres. Early London prize ring rules A straight right demonstrated in Edmund Price's The Science of Defence: A Treatise on Sparring and Wrestling, 1867 Records of boxing activity disappeared in the west after the fall of the Western Roman Empire when the wearing of weapons became common once again and interest in fighting with the fists waned. However, there are detailed records of various fist-fighting sports that were maintained in different cities and provinces of Italy between the 12th and 17th centuries. There was also a sport in ancient Rus called kulachniy boy or 'fist fighting'. As the wearing of swords became less common, there was renewed interest in fencing with the fists. The sport later resurfaced 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.[25] 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 6 January 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 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 in 1713, by Sir Thomas Parkyns, 2nd Baronet, a wrestling patron from Bunny, Nottinghamshire, who had practised 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 headbutting, punching, eye-gouging, chokes, and hard throws, not recognized in boxing today.[26] The first boxing rules, called the Broughton Rules, were introduced by champion Jack Broughton in 1743 to protect fighters in the ring where deaths sometimes occurred.[27] 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. Tom Molineaux (left) vs Tom Cribb in a re-match for the heavyweight championship of England, 1811 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"[28] and was frequently disallowed by additional rules negotiated by the seconds of the boxers.[29] In modern boxing, there is 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 wristwraps to protect their hands, they used different punching technique to preserve their hands because the head was a common target to hit full out.[dubious – discuss][citation needed] Almost all period manuals have powerful straight punches with the whole body behind them to the face (including forehead) as the basic blows.[30][31][unreliable source?] The British sportswriter Pierce Egan coined the term "the sweet science" as an epithet for prizefighting – or more fully "the sweet science of bruising" as a description of England's bare-knuckle fight scene in the early nineteenth century.[32] Boxing could also be used to settle disputes even by females. In 1790 in Waddington, Lincolnshire Mary Farmery and Susanna Locker both laid claim to the affections of a young man; this produced a challenge from the former to fight for the prize, which was accepted by the latter. Proper sidesmen were chosen, and every matter conducted in form. After several knock-down blows on both sides, the battle ended in favour of Mary Farmery.[33] 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.[34] Marquess of Queensberry rules (1867) In 1867, the Marquess 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 Marquess of Queensberry, whose name has always been associated with them. 0:40 The June 1894 Leonard–Cushing bout. Each of the six one-minute rounds recorded by the Kinetograph was made available to exhibitors for $22.50.[35] Customers who watched the final round saw Leonard score a knockdown. There were twelve rules in all, and they specified that fights should be "a fair stand-up boxing match" in a 24-foot-square or similar ring. Rounds were three minutes with one-minute rest intervals between rounds. Each fighter was given a ten-second count if he was knocked down, and wrestling was banned. The introduction of gloves of "fair-size" also changed the nature of the bouts. An average pair of boxing gloves resembles a bloated pair of mittens and are laced up around the wrists.[36] The gloves can be used to block an opponent's blows. As a result of their introduction, bouts became longer and more strategic with greater importance attached to defensive maneuvers such as slipping, bobbing, countering and angling. Because less defensive emphasis was placed on the use of the forearms and more on the gloves, the classical forearms outwards, torso leaning back stance of the bare knuckle boxer was modified to a more modern stance in which the torso is tilted forward and the hands are held closer to the face. Late 19th and early 20th centuries Through the late nineteenth century, the martial art of boxing or prizefighting was primarily a sport of dubious legitimacy. Outlawed in England and much of the United States, prizefights were often held at gambling venues and broken up by police.[37] Brawling and wrestling tactics continued, and riots at prizefights were common occurrences. Still, throughout this period, there arose some notable bare knuckle champions who developed fairly sophisticated fighting tactics. Amateur Boxing Club, Wales, 1963 The English case of R v. Coney in 1882 found that a bare-knuckle fight was an assault occasioning actual bodily harm, despite the consent of the participants. This marked the end of widespread public bare-knuckle contests in England. The first world heavyweight champion under the Queensberry Rules was "Gentleman Jim" Corbett, who defeated John L. Sullivan in 1892 at the Pelican Athletic Club in New Orleans.[38] The first instance of film censorship in the United States occurred in 1897 when several states banned the showing of prize fighting films from the state of Nevada,[39] where it was legal at the time. Throughout the early twentieth century, boxers struggled to achieve legitimacy.[40] They were aided by the influence of promoters like Tex Rickard and the popularity of great champions such as John L. Sullivan. Modern boxing Robert Helenius (on the right) vs. Attila Levin (on the left) at Hartwall Arena in Helsinki, Finland, on 27 November 2010 The modern sport arose from illegal venues and outlawed prizefighting and has become a multibillion-dollar commercial enterprise. A majority of young talent still comes from poverty-stricken areas around the world.[citation needed] Places like Mexico, Africa, South America, and Eastern Europe prove to be filled with young aspiring athletes who wish to become the future of boxing. Even in the U.S., places like the inner cities of New York, and Chicago have given rise to promising young talent. According to Rubin, "boxing lost its appeal with the American middle class, and most of who boxes in modern America come from the streets and are street fighters".[41] Rules Main article: Marquess of Queensberry Rules The Marquess of Queensberry rules have been the general rules governing modern boxing since their publication in 1867.[42] A boxing match typically consists of a determined number of three-minute rounds, a total of up to 9 to 12 rounds with a minute spent between each round with the fighters resting in their assigned corners and receiving advice and attention from their coach and staff. The fight is controlled by a referee who works within the ring to judge and control the conduct of the fighters, rule on their ability to fight safely, count knocked-down fighters, and rule on fouls. Up to three judges are typically present at ringside to score the bout and assign points to the boxers, based on punches and elbows that connect, defense, knockdowns, hugging and other, more subjective, measures. Because of the open-ended style of boxing judging, many fights have controversial results, in which one or both fighters believe they have been "robbed" or unfairly denied a victory. Each fighter has an assigned corner of the ring, where their 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 signalled 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 their feet and can continue. Some jurisdictions require the referee to count to eight regardless of if the fighter gets up before. Should the referee count to ten, then the knocked-down boxer is ruled "knocked out" (whether unconscious or not) and the other boxer is ruled the winner by knockout (KO). A "technical knock-out" (TKO) is possible as well, and is ruled by the referee, fight doctor, or a fighter's corner if 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 the referee feels may be in danger, even if no knockdown has taken place. After counting the referee will observe the fighter, and decide if the fighter is fit to continue. For scoring purposes, a standing eight count is treated as a knockdown. Ingemar Johansson of Sweden KO's heavyweight champion Floyd Patterson, 26 June 1959 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). If a "clinch" – a defensive move in which a boxer wraps their opponent's arms and holds on to create a pause – is broken by the referee, each fighter must take a full step back before punching again (alternatively, the referee may direct the fighters to "punch out" of the clinch). When a boxer is knocked down, the other boxer must immediately cease fighting and move to the furthest neutral corner of the ring until the referee has either ruled a knockout or called for the fight to continue. Violations of these rules may be ruled "fouls" by the referee, who may issue warnings, deduct points, or disqualify an offending boxer, causing an automatic loss, depending on the seriousness and intentionality of the foul. An intentional foul that causes injury that prevents a fight from continuing usually causes the boxer who committed it to be disqualified. A fighter who suffers an accidental low-blow may be given up to five minutes to recover, after which they may be ruled knocked out if they are unable to continue. Accidental fouls that cause injury ending a bout may lead to a "no contest" result, or else cause the fight to go to a decision if enough rounds (typically four or more, or at least three in a four-round fight) have passed. Unheard of in the modern era, but common during the early 20th Century in North America, a "newspaper decision (NWS)" might be made after a no decision bout had ended. A "no decision" bout occurred when, by law or by pre-arrangement of the fighters, if both boxers were still standing at the fight's conclusion and there was no knockout, no official decision was rendered and neither boxer was declared the winner. But this did not prevent the pool of ringside newspaper reporters from declaring a consensus result among themselves and printing a newspaper decision in their publications. Officially, however, a "no decision" bout resulted in neither boxer winning or losing. Boxing historians sometimes use these unofficial newspaper decisions in compiling fight records for illustrative purposes only. Often, media outlets covering a match will personally score the match, and post their scores as an independent sentence in their report. Professional vs. amateur boxing Roberto Durán (right) held world championships in four weight classes: lightweight, welterweight, light middleweight and middleweight. Women's Amateur Boxing Throughout the 17th to 19th centuries, boxing bouts were motivated by money, as the fighters competed for prize money, promoters controlled the gate, and spectators bet on the result. The modern Olympic movement revived interest in amateur sports, and amateur boxing became an Olympic sport in 1908. In their current form, Olympic and other amateur bouts are typically limited to three or four rounds, scoring is computed by points based on the number of clean blows landed, regardless of impact, and fighters wear protective headgear, reducing the number of injuries, knockdowns, and knockouts.[43] Currently scoring blows in amateur boxing are subjectively counted by ringside judges, but the Australian Institute for Sport has demonstrated a prototype of an Automated Boxing Scoring System, which introduces scoring objectivity, improves safety, and arguably makes the sport more interesting to spectators. Professional boxing remains by far the most popular form of the sport globally, though amateur boxing is dominant in Cuba and some former Soviet republics. For most fighters, an amateur career, especially at the Olympics, serves to develop skills and gain experience in preparation for a professional career. Western boxers typically participate in one Olympics and then turn pro, Cubans and other socialist countries have an opportunity to collect multiple medals.[44] In 2016, professional boxers were admitted in the Olympic Games and other tournaments sanctioned by AIBA.[45] This was done in part to level the playing field and give all of the athletes the same opportunities government-sponsored boxers from socialist countries and post-Soviet republics have.[46] However, professional organizations strongly opposed that decision.[47][48] Amateur boxing Main article: Amateur boxing Nicola Adams (left) is the first female boxer to win an Olympic gold medal. Here with Mary Kom of India. Amateur boxing may be found at the collegiate level, at the Olympic Games, Commonwealth Games, Asian Games, etc. In many other venues sanctioned by amateur boxing associations. Amateur boxing has a point scoring system that measures the number of clean blows landed rather than physical damage. Bouts consist of three rounds of three minutes in the Olympic and Commonwealth Games, and three rounds of three minutes in a national ABA (Amateur Boxing Association) bout, each with a one-minute interval between rounds. Competitors wear protective headgear and gloves with a white strip or circle across the knuckle. There are cases however, where white ended gloves are not required but any solid color may be worn. The white end is just a way to make it easier for judges to score clean hits. Each competitor must have their hands properly wrapped, pre-fight, for added protection on their hands and for added cushion under the gloves. Gloves worn by the fighters must be twelve ounces in weight unless the fighters weigh under 165 pounds (75 kg), thus allowing them to wear ten ounce gloves. A punch is considered a scoring punch only when the boxers connect with the white portion of the gloves. Each punch that lands cleanly on the head or torso with sufficient force is awarded a point. A referee monitors the fight to ensure that competitors use only legal blows. A belt worn over the torso represents the lower limit of punches – any boxer repeatedly landing low blows below the belt is disqualified. Referees also ensure that the boxers don't use holding tactics to prevent the opponent from swinging. If this occurs, the referee separates the opponents and orders them to continue boxing. Repeated holding can result in a boxer being penalized or ultimately disqualified. Referees will stop the bout if a boxer is seriously injured, if one boxer is significantly dominating the other or if the score is severely imbalanced.[49] Amateur bouts which end this way may be noted as "RSC" (referee stopped contest) with notations for an outclassed opponent (RSCO), outscored opponent (RSCOS), injury (RSCI) or head injury (RSCH). Professional boxing Main article: Professional boxing Firpo sending Dempsey outside the ring; painting by George Bellows Professional bouts are usually much longer than amateur bouts, typically ranging from ten to twelve rounds, though four-round fights are common for less experienced fighters or club fighters. There are also some two- and three-round professional bouts, especially in Australia. Through the early 20th century, it was common for fights to have unlimited rounds, ending only when one fighter quit, benefiting high-energy fighters like Jack Dempsey. Fifteen rounds remained the internationally recognized limit for championship fights for most of the 20th century until the early 1980s, when the death of boxer Kim Duk-koo eventually prompted the World Boxing Council and other organizations sanctioning professional boxing to reduce the limit to twelve rounds. Headgear is not permitted in professional bouts, and boxers are generally allowed to take much more damage before a fight is halted. At any time, the referee may stop the contest if he believes that one participant cannot defend himself due to injury. In that case, the other participant is awarded a technical knockout win. A technical knockout would also be awarded if a fighter lands a punch that opens a cut on the opponent, and the opponent is later deemed not fit to continue by a doctor because of the cut. For this reason, fighters often employ cutmen, whose job is to treat cuts between rounds so that the boxer is able to continue despite the cut. If a boxer simply quits fighting, or if his corner stops the fight, then the winning boxer is also awarded a technical knockout victory. In contrast with amateur boxing, professional male boxers have to be bare-chested.[50] Boxing styles Definition of style "Style" is often defined as the strategic approach a fighter takes during a bout. No two fighters' styles are alike, as each is determined by that individual's physical and mental attributes. Three main styles exist in boxing: outside fighter ("boxer"), brawler (or "slugger"), and inside fighter ("swarmer"). These styles may be divided into several special subgroups, such as counter puncher, etc. The main philosophy of the styles is, that each style has an advantage over one, but disadvantage over the other one. It follows the rock paper scissors scenario – boxer beats brawler, brawler beats swarmer, and swarmer beats boxer.[51] Boxer/out-fighter Heavyweight champion Muhammad Ali was a typical example of an out-fighter. A classic "boxer" or stylist (also known as an "out-fighter") seeks to maintain distance between himself and his opponent, fighting with faster, longer range punches, most notably the jab, and gradually wearing his opponent down. Due to this reliance on weaker punches, out-fighters tend to win by point decisions rather than by knockout, though some out-fighters have notable knockout records. They are often regarded as the best boxing strategists due to their ability to control the pace of the fight and lead their opponent, methodically wearing him down and exhibiting more skill and finesse than a brawler.[52] Out-fighters need reach, hand speed, reflexes, and footwork. Notable out-fighters include Muhammad Ali, Larry Holmes, Joe Calzaghe, Wilfredo Gómez, Salvador Sánchez, Cecilia Brækhus, Gene Tunney,[53] Ezzard Charles,[54] Willie Pep,[55] Meldrick Taylor, Ricardo "Finito" López, Floyd Mayweather Jr., Roy Jones Jr., Sugar Ray Leonard, Miguel Vázquez, Sergio "Maravilla" Martínez, Wladimir Klitschko and Guillermo Rigondeaux. This style was also used by fictional boxer Apollo Creed. Boxer-puncher A boxer-puncher is a well-rounded boxer who is able to fight at close range with a combination of technique and power, often with the ability to knock opponents out with a combination and in some instances a single shot. Their movement and tactics are similar to that of an out-fighter (although they are generally not as mobile as an out-fighter),[56] but instead of winning by decision, they tend to wear their opponents down using combinations and then move in to score the knockout. A boxer must be well rounded to be effective using this style. Notable boxer-punchers include Muhammad Ali, Canelo Álvarez, Sugar Ray Leonard, Roy Jones Jr., Wladimir Klitschko, Vasyl Lomachenko, Lennox Lewis, Joe Louis,[57] Wilfredo Gómez, Oscar De La Hoya, Archie Moore, Miguel Cotto, Nonito Donaire, Sam Langford,[58] Henry Armstrong,[59] Sugar Ray Robinson,[60] Tony Zale, Carlos Monzón,[61] Alexis Argüello, Érik Morales, Terry Norris, Marco Antonio Barrera, Naseem Hamed, Thomas Hearns, Julian Jackson and Gennady Golovkin. Counter puncher Counter punchers are slippery, defensive style fighters who often rely on their opponent's mistakes in order to gain the advantage, whether it be on the score cards or more preferably a knockout. They use their well-rounded defense to avoid or block shots and then immediately catch the opponent off guard with a well placed and timed punch. A fight with a skilled counter-puncher can turn into a war of attrition, where each shot landed is a battle in itself. Thus, fighting against counter punchers requires constant feinting and the ability to avoid telegraphing one's attacks. To be truly successful using this style they must have good reflexes, a high level of prediction and awareness, pinpoint accuracy and speed, both in striking and in footwork. Notable counter punchers include Muhammad Ali, Joe Calzaghe, Vitali Klitschko, Evander Holyfield, Max Schmeling, Chris Byrd, Jim Corbett, Jack Johnson, Bernard Hopkins, Laszlo Papp, Jerry Quarry, Anselmo Moreno, James Toney, Marvin Hagler, Juan Manuel Márquez, Humberto Soto, Floyd Mayweather Jr., Roger Mayweather, Pernell Whitaker, Sergio Martínez and Guillermo Rigondeaux. This style of boxing is also used by fictional boxer Little Mac. Counter punchers usually wear their opponents down by causing them to miss their punches. The more the opponent misses, the faster they tire, and the psychological effects of being unable to land a hit will start to sink in. The counter puncher often tries to outplay their opponent entirely, not just in a physical sense, but also in a mental and emotional sense. This style can be incredibly difficult, especially against seasoned fighters, but winning a fight without getting hit is often worth the pay-off. They usually try to stay away from the center of the ring, in order to outmaneuver and chip away at their opponents. A large advantage in counter-hitting is the forward momentum of the attacker, which drives them further into your return strike. As such, knockouts are more common than one would expect from a defensive style. Brawler/slugger Famous brawler George Foreman A brawler is a fighter who generally lacks finesse and footwork in the ring, but makes up for it through sheer punching power. Many brawlers tend to lack mobility, preferring a less mobile, more stable platform and have difficulty pursuing fighters who are fast on their feet. They may also have a tendency to ignore combination punching in favor of continuous beat-downs with one hand and by throwing slower, more powerful single punches (such as hooks and uppercuts). Their slowness and predictable punching pattern (single punches with obvious leads) often leaves them open to counter punches, so successful brawlers must be able to absorb a substantial amount of punishment. However, not all brawler/slugger fighters are not mobile; some can move around and switch styles if needed but still have the brawler/slugger style such as Wilfredo Gómez, Prince Naseem Hamed and Danny García. A brawler's most important assets are power and chin (the ability to absorb punishment while remaining able to continue boxing). Examples of this style include George Foreman, Rocky Marciano, Julio César Chávez, Jack Dempsey, Riddick Bowe, Danny García, Wilfredo Gómez, Sonny Liston, John L. Sullivan, Max Baer, Prince Naseem Hamed, Ray Mancini, David Tua, Arturo Gatti, Micky Ward, Brandon Ríos, Ruslan Provodnikov, Michael Katsidis, James Kirkland, Marcos Maidana, Vitali Klitschko, Jake LaMotta, Manny Pacquiao, and Ireland's John Duddy. This style of boxing was also used by fictional boxers Rocky Balboa and James "Clubber" Lang. Brawlers tend to be more predictable and easy to hit but usually fare well enough against other fighting styles because they train to take punches very well. They often have a higher chance than other fighting styles to score a knockout against their opponents because they focus on landing big, powerful hits, instead of smaller, faster attacks. Oftentimes they place focus on training on their upper body instead of their entire body, to increase power and endurance. They also aim to intimidate their opponents because of their power, stature and ability to take a punch. Swarmer/in-fighter Henry Armstrong was known for his aggressive, non-stop assault style of fighting. In-fighters/swarmers (sometimes called "pressure fighters") attempt to stay close to an opponent, throwing intense flurries and combinations of hooks and uppercuts. Mainly Mexican, Irish, Irish-American, Puerto Rican, and Mexican-American boxers popularized this style. A successful in-fighter often needs a good "chin" because swarming usually involves being hit with many jabs before they can maneuver inside where they are more effective. In-fighters operate best at close range because they are generally shorter and have less reach than their opponents and thus are more effective at a short distance where the longer arms of their opponents make punching awkward. However, several fighters tall for their division have been relatively adept at in-fighting as well as out-fighting. The essence of a swarmer is non-stop aggression. Many short in-fighters use their stature to their advantage, employing a bob-and-weave defense by bending at the waist to slip underneath or to the sides of incoming punches. Unlike blocking, causing an opponent to miss a punch disrupts his balance, this permits forward movement past the opponent's extended arm and keeps the hands free to counter. A distinct advantage that in-fighters have is when throwing uppercuts, they can channel their entire bodyweight behind the punch; Mike Tyson was famous for throwing devastating uppercuts. Marvin Hagler was known for his hard "chin", punching power, body attack and the stalking of his opponents. Some in-fighters, like Mike Tyson, have been known for being notoriously hard to hit. The key to a swarmer is aggression, endurance, chin, and bobbing-and-weaving. Notable in-fighters include Henry Armstrong, Aaron Pryor, Julio César Chávez, Jack Dempsey, Shawn Porter, Miguel Cotto, Gennady Golovkin, Joe Frazier, Danny García, Mike Tyson, Manny Pacquiao, Rocky Marciano,[62] Wayne McCullough, James Braddock, Gerry Penalosa, Harry Greb,[63][64] David Tua, James Toney and Ricky Hatton. This style was also used by the Street Fighter character Balrog.[citation needed] Combinations of styles All fighters have primary skills with which they feel most comfortable, but truly elite fighters are often able to incorporate auxiliary styles when presented with a particular challenge. For example, an out-fighter will sometimes plant his feet and counter punch, or a slugger may have the stamina to pressure fight with his power punches. Old history of the development of boxing and its prevalence contribute to fusion of various types of martial arts and the emergence of new ones that are based on them. For example, a combination of boxing and sportive sambo techniques gave rise to a combat sambo. Style matchups Louis vs. Schmeling, 1936 There is a generally accepted rule of thumb about the success each of these boxing styles has against the others. In general, an in-fighter has an advantage over an out-fighter, an out-fighter has an advantage over a brawler, and a brawler has an advantage over an in-fighter; these form a cycle with each style being stronger relative to one, and weaker relative to another, with none dominating, as in rock paper scissors. Naturally, many other factors, such as the skill level and training of the combatants, determine the outcome of a fight, but the widely held belief in this relationship among the styles is embodied in the cliché amongst boxing fans and writers that "styles make fights". Brawlers tend to overcome swarmers or in-fighters because, in trying to get close to the slugger, the in-fighter will invariably have to walk straight into the guns of the much harder-hitting brawler, so, unless the former has a very good chin and the latter's stamina is poor, the brawler's superior power will carry the day. A famous example of this type of match-up advantage would be George Foreman's knockout victory over Joe Frazier in their original bout "The Sunshine Showdown". Although in-fighters struggle against heavy sluggers, they typically enjoy more success against out-fighters or boxers. Out-fighters prefer a slower fight, with some distance between themselves and the opponent. The in-fighter tries to close that gap and unleash furious flurries. On the inside, the out-fighter loses a lot of his combat effectiveness, because he cannot throw the hard punches. The in-fighter is generally successful in this case, due to his intensity in advancing on his opponent and his good agility, which makes him difficult to evade. For example, the swarming Joe Frazier, though easily dominated by the slugger George Foreman, was able to create many more problems for the boxer Muhammad Ali in their three fights. Joe Louis, after retirement, admitted that he hated being crowded, and that swarmers like untied/undefeated champ Rocky Marciano would have caused him style problems even in his prime. The boxer or out-fighter tends to be most successful against a brawler, whose slow speed (both hand and foot) and poor technique makes him an easy target to hit for the faster out-fighter. The out-fighter's main concern is to stay alert, as the brawler only needs to land one good punch to finish the fight. If the out-fighter can avoid those power punches, he can often wear the brawler down with fast jabs, tiring him out. If he is successful enough, he may even apply extra pressure in the later rounds in an attempt to achieve a knockout. Most classic boxers, such as Muhammad Ali, enjoyed their best successes against sluggers. An example of a style matchup was the historical fight of Julio César Chávez, a swarmer or in-fighter, against Meldrick Taylor, the boxer or out-fighter (see Julio César Chávez vs. Meldrick Taylor). The match was nicknamed "Thunder Meets Lightning" as an allusion to punching power of Chávez and blinding speed of Taylor. Chávez was the epitome of the "Mexican" style of boxing. Taylor's hand and foot speed and boxing abilities gave him the early advantage, allowing him to begin building a large lead on points. Chávez remained relentless in his pursuit of Taylor and due to his greater punching power Chávez slowly punished Taylor. Coming into the later rounds, Taylor was bleeding from the mouth, his entire face was swollen, the bones around his eye socket had been broken, he had swallowed a considerable amount of his own blood, and as he grew tired, Taylor was increasingly forced into exchanging blows with Chávez, which only gave Chávez a greater chance to cause damage. While there was little doubt that Taylor had solidly won the first three quarters of the fight, the question at hand was whether he would survive the final quarter. Going into the final round, Taylor held a secure lead on the scorecards of two of the three judges. Chávez would have to knock Taylor out to claim a victory, whereas Taylor merely needed to stay away from the Mexican legend. However, Taylor did not stay away, but continued to trade blows with Chávez. As he did so, Taylor showed signs of extreme exhaustion, and every tick of the clock brought Taylor closer to victory unless Chávez could knock him out. With about a minute left in the round, Chávez hit Taylor squarely with several hard punches and stayed on the attack, continuing to hit Taylor with well-placed shots. Finally, with about 25 seconds to go, Chávez landed a hard right hand that caused Taylor to stagger forward towards a corner, forcing Chávez back ahead of him. Suddenly Chávez stepped around Taylor, positioning him so that Taylor was trapped in the corner, with no way to escape from Chávez' desperate final flurry. Chávez then nailed Taylor with a tremendous right hand that dropped the younger man. By using the ring ropes to pull himself up, Taylor managed to return to his feet and was given the mandatory 8-count. Referee Richard Steele asked Taylor twice if he was able to continue fighting, but Taylor failed to answer. Steele then concluded that Taylor was unfit to continue and signaled that he was ending the fight, resulting in a TKO victory for Chávez with only two seconds to go in the bout. Equipment Since boxing involves forceful, repetitive punching, precautions must be taken to prevent damage to bones in the hand. Most trainers do not allow boxers to train and spar without wrist wraps and boxing gloves. Hand wraps are used to secure the bones in the hand, and the gloves are used to protect the hands from blunt injury, allowing boxers to throw punches with more force than if they did not use them. Gloves have been required in competition since the late nineteenth century, though modern boxing gloves are much heavier than those worn by early twentieth-century fighters. Prior to a bout, both boxers agree upon the weight of gloves to be used in the bout, with the understanding that lighter gloves allow heavy punchers to inflict more damage. The brand of gloves can also affect the impact of punches, so this too is usually stipulated before a bout. Both sides are allowed to inspect the wraps and gloves of the opponent to help ensure both are within agreed upon specifications and no tampering has taken place. A mouthguard is important to protect the teeth[65][66] and gums from injury, and to cushion the jaw, resulting in a decreased chance of knockout. Both fighters must wear soft soled shoes to reduce the damage from accidental (or intentional) stepping on feet. While older boxing boots more commonly resembled those of a professional wrestler, modern boxing shoes and boots tend to be quite similar to their amateur wrestling counterparts. Boxers practice their skills on several types of punching bags. A small, tear-drop-shaped "speed bag" is used to hone reflexes and repetitive punching skills, while a large cylindrical "heavy bag" filled with sand, a synthetic substitute, or water is used to practice power punching and body blows. The double-end bag is usually connected by elastic on the top and bottom and moves randomly upon getting struck and helps the fighter work on accuracy and reflexes. In addition to these distinctive pieces of equipment, boxers also use sport-nonspecific training equipment to build strength, speed, agility, and stamina. Common training equipment includes free weights, rowing machines, jump rope, and medicine balls. Boxers also use punch/focus mitts in which a trainer calls out certain combinations and the fighter strikes the mitts accordingly. This is a great exercise for stamina as the boxer isn't allowed to go at his own pace but that of the trainer, typically forcing the fighter to endure a higher output and volume than usual. In addition, they also allow trainers to make boxers utilize footwork and distances more accurately. Boxing matches typically take place in a boxing ring, a raised platform 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. Technique Main article: Boxing styles and technique Stance The modern boxing stance differs substantially from the typical boxing stances of the 19th and early 20th centuries. The modern stance has a more upright vertical-armed guard, as opposed to the more horizontal, knuckles-facing-forward guard adopted by early 20th century hook users such as Jack Johnson. Upright stance Upright stance   Semi-crouch Semi-crouch   Full crouch Full crouch In a fully upright stance, the boxer stands with the legs shoulder-width apart and the rear foot a half-step in front of the lead man. Right-handed or orthodox boxers lead with the left foot and fist (for most penetration power). Both feet are parallel, and the right heel is off the ground. The lead (left) fist is held vertically about six inches in front of the face at eye level. The rear (right) fist is held beside the chin and the elbow tucked against the ribcage to protect the body. The chin is tucked into the chest to avoid punches to the jaw which commonly cause knock-outs and is often kept slightly off-center. Wrists are slightly bent to avoid damage when punching and the elbows are kept tucked in to protect the ribcage. Some boxers fight from a crouch, leaning forward and keeping their feet closer together. The stance described is considered the "textbook" stance and fighters are encouraged to change it around once it's been mastered as a base. Case in point, many fast fighters have their hands down and have almost exaggerated footwork, while brawlers or bully fighters tend to slowly stalk their opponents. In order to retain their stance boxers take 'the first step in any direction with the foot already leading in that direction.'[67] Different stances allow for bodyweight to be differently positioned and emphasised; this may in turn alter how powerfully and explosively a type of punch can be delivered. For instance, a crouched stance allows for the bodyweight to be positioned further forward over the lead left leg. If a lead left hook is thrown from this position, it will produce a powerful springing action in the lead leg and produce a more explosive punch. This springing action could not be generated effectively, for this punch, if an upright stance was used or if the bodyweight was positioned predominantly over the back leg.[68] Mike Tyson was a keen practitioner of a crouched stance and this style of power punching. The preparatory positioning of the bodyweight over the bent lead leg is also known as an isometric preload. Left-handed or southpaw fighters use a mirror image of the orthodox stance, which can create problems for orthodox fighters unaccustomed to receiving jabs, hooks, or crosses from the opposite side. The southpaw stance, conversely, is vulnerable to a straight right hand. North American fighters tend to favor a more balanced stance, facing the opponent almost squarely, while many European fighters stand with their torso turned more to the side. The positioning of the hands may also vary, as some fighters prefer to have both hands raised in front of the face, risking exposure to body shots. Punches There are four basic punches in boxing: the jab, cross, hook and uppercut. Any punch other than a jab is considered a power punch. If a boxer is right-handed (orthodox), their left hand is the lead hand and his right hand is the rear hand. For a left-handed boxer or southpaw, the hand positions are reversed. For clarity, the following assumes a right-handed boxer. Jab Jab   Cross – in counter-punch with a looping Cross – in counter-punch with a looping   Hook Hook   Uppercut Uppercut Canelo Álvarez is known as an excellent counterpuncher, being able to exploit openings in his opponents' guards while avoiding punches with head and body movement. He is also known as a formidable body puncher.[69][70] Jab – A quick, straight punch thrown with the lead hand from the guard position. The jab extends from the side of the torso and typically does not pass in front of it. It is accompanied by a small, clockwise rotation of the torso and hips, while the fist rotates 90 degrees, becoming horizontal upon impact. As the punch reaches full extension, the lead shoulder can be brought up to guard the chin. The rear hand remains next to the face to guard the jaw. After making contact with the target, the lead hand is retracted quickly to resume a guard position in front of the face. The jab is recognized as the most important punch in a boxer's arsenal because it provides a fair amount of its own cover and it leaves the least space for a counter punch from the opponent. It has the longest reach of any punch and does not require commitment or large weight transfers. Due to its relatively weak power, the jab is often used as a tool to gauge distances, probe an opponent's defenses, harass an opponent, and set up heavier, more powerful punches. A half-step may be added, moving the entire body into the punch, for additional power. Some notable boxers who have been able to develop relative power in their jabs and use it to punish or wear down their opponents to some effect include Larry Holmes and Wladimir Klitschko. Cross – A powerful, straight punch thrown with the rear hand. From the guard position, the rear hand is thrown from the chin, crossing the body and traveling towards the target in a straight line. The rear shoulder is thrust forward and finishes just touching the outside of the chin. At the same time, the lead hand is retracted and tucked against the face to protect the inside of the chin. For additional power, the torso and hips are rotated counter-clockwise as the cross is thrown. A measure of an ideally extended cross is that the shoulder of the striking arm, the knee of the front leg and the ball of the front foot are on the same vertical plane.[71] Weight is also transferred from the rear foot to the lead foot, resulting in the rear heel turning outwards as it acts as a fulcrum for the transfer of weight. Body rotation and the sudden weight transfer give the cross its power. Like the jab, a half-step forward may be added. After the cross is thrown, the hand is retracted quickly and the guard position resumed. It can be used to counter punch a jab, aiming for the opponent's head (or a counter to a cross aimed at the body) or to set up a hook. The cross is also called a "straight" or "right", especially if it does not cross the opponent's outstretched jab. Hook – A semi-circular punch thrown with the lead hand to the side of the opponent's head. From the guard position, the elbow is drawn back with a horizontal fist (palm facing down) though in modern times a wide percentage of fighters throw the hook with a vertical fist (palm facing themselves). The rear hand is tucked firmly against the jaw to protect the chin. The torso and hips are rotated clockwise, propelling the fist through a tight, clockwise arc across the front of the body and connecting with the target. At the same time, the lead foot pivots clockwise, turning the left heel outwards. Upon contact, the hook's circular path ends abruptly and the lead hand is pulled quickly back into the guard position. A hook may also target the lower body and this technique is sometimes called the "rip" to distinguish it from the conventional hook to the head. The hook may also be thrown with the rear hand. Notable left hookers include Joe Frazier, Roy Jones Jr. and Mike Tyson. Ricardo Dominguez (left) throws an uppercut on Rafael Ortiz (right).[72] Uppercut – A vertical, rising punch thrown with the rear hand. From the guard position, the torso shifts slightly to the right, the rear hand drops below the level of the opponent's chest and the knees are bent slightly. From this position, the rear hand is thrust upwards in a rising arc towards the opponent's chin or torso. At the same time, the knees push upwards quickly and the torso and hips rotate anti-clockwise and the rear heel turns outward, mimicking the body movement of the cross. The strategic utility of the uppercut depends on its ability to "lift" an opponent's body, setting it off-balance for successive attacks. The right uppercut followed by a left hook is a deadly combination employing the uppercut to lift an opponent's chin into a vulnerable position, then the hook to knock the opponent out. These different punch types can be thrown in rapid succession to form combinations or "combos". The most common is the jab and cross combination, nicknamed the "one-two combo". This is usually an effective combination, because the jab blocks the opponent's view of the cross, making it easier to land cleanly and forcefully. A large, swinging circular punch starting from a cocked-back position with the arm at a longer extension than the hook and all of the fighter's weight behind it is sometimes referred to as a "roundhouse", "haymaker", "overhand", or sucker-punch. Relying on body weight and centripetal force within a wide arc, the roundhouse can be a powerful blow, but it is often a wild and uncontrolled punch that leaves the fighter delivering it off balance and with an open guard. Wide, looping punches have the further disadvantage of taking more time to deliver, giving the opponent ample warning to react and counter. For this reason, the haymaker or roundhouse is not a conventional punch, and is regarded by trainers as a mark of poor technique or desperation. Sometimes it has been used, because of its immense potential power, to finish off an already staggering opponent who seems unable or unlikely to take advantage of the poor position it leaves the puncher in. Another unconventional punch is the rarely used bolo punch, in which the opponent swings an arm out several times in a wide arc, usually as a distraction, before delivering with either that or the other arm. An illegal punch to the back of the head or neck is known as a rabbit punch. Both the hook and uppercut may be thrown with both hands, resulting in differing footwork and positioning from that described above if thrown by the other hand. Generally the analogous opposite is true of the footwork and torso movement. Defense There are several basic maneuvers a boxer can use in order to evade or block punches, depicted and discussed below. Slipping Slipping   Bobbing Bobbing   Blocking (with the arms) Blocking (with the arms)   Cover-Up (with the gloves) Cover-Up (with the gloves)   Clinching Clinching   Footwork Footwork   Pulling away Pulling away Slip – Slipping rotates the body slightly so that an incoming punch passes harmlessly next to the head. As the opponent's punch arrives, the boxer sharply rotates the hips and shoulders. This turns the chin sideways and allows the punch to "slip" past. Muhammad Ali was famous for extremely fast and close slips, as was an early Mike Tyson. Sway or fade – To anticipate a punch and move the upper body or head back so that it misses or has its force appreciably lessened. Also called "rolling with the punch" or " Riding The Punch. Bob and weave – Bobbing moves the head laterally and beneath an incoming punch. As the opponent's punch arrives, the boxer bends the legs quickly and simultaneously shifts the body either slightly right or left. Once the punch has been evaded, the boxer "weaves" back to an upright position, emerging on either the outside or inside of the opponent's still-extended arm. To move outside the opponent's extended arm is called "bobbing to the outside". To move inside the opponent's extended arm is called "bobbing to the inside". Joe Frazier, Jack Dempsey, Mike Tyson and Rocky Marciano were masters of bobbing and weaving. Parry/block – Parrying or blocking uses the boxer's shoulder, hands or arms as defensive tools to protect against incoming attacks. A block generally receives a punch while a parry tends to deflect it. A "palm", "catch", or "cuff" is a defence which intentionally takes the incoming punch on the palm portion of the defender's glove. Cover-up – Covering up is the last opportunity (other than rolling with a punch) to avoid an incoming strike to an unprotected face or body. Generally speaking, the hands are held high to protect the head and chin and the forearms are tucked against the torso to impede body shots. When protecting the body, the boxer rotates the hips and lets incoming punches "roll" off the guard. To protect the head, the boxer presses both fists against the front of the face with the forearms parallel and facing outwards. This type of guard is weak against attacks from below. Clinch – Clinching is a form of trapping or a rough form of grappling and occurs when the distance between both fighters has closed and straight punches cannot be employed. In this situation, the boxer attempts to hold or "tie up" the opponent's hands so he is unable to throw hooks or uppercuts. To perform a clinch, the boxer loops both hands around the outside of the opponent's shoulders, scooping back under the forearms to grasp the opponent's arms tightly against his own body. In this position, the opponent's arms are pinned and cannot be used to attack. Clinching is a temporary match state and is quickly dissipated by the referee. Clinching is technically against the rules, and in amateur fights points are deducted fairly quickly for it. It is unlikely, however, to see points deducted for a clinch in professional boxing. Unorthodox strategies Rope-a-dope : Used by Muhammad Ali in his 1974 "the Rumble in the Jungle" bout against George Foreman, the rope-a-dope method involves lying back against the ropes, covering up defensively as much as possible and allowing the opponent to attempt numerous punches. The back-leaning posture, which does not cause the defending boxer to become as unbalanced as he would during normal backward movement, also maximizes the distance of the defender's head from his opponent, increasing the probability that punches will miss their intended target. Weathering the blows that do land, the defender lures the opponent into expending energy while conserving his/her own. If successful, the attacking opponent will eventually tire, creating defensive flaws which the boxer can exploit. In modern boxing, the rope-a-dope is generally discouraged since most opponents are not fooled by it and few boxers possess the physical toughness to withstand a prolonged, unanswered assault. Recently,[when?] however, eight-division world champion Manny Pacquiao skillfully used the strategy to gauge the power of welterweight titlist Miguel Cotto in November 2009. Pacquiao followed up the rope-a-dope gambit with a withering knockdown. Tyson Fury also attempted this against Francesco Pianeto but did not pull it off as smoothly. Bolo punch: Occasionally seen in Olympic boxing, the bolo punch is an arm punch which owes its power to the shortening of a circular arc rather than to transference of body weight; it tends to have more of an effect due to the surprise of the odd angle it lands at rather than the actual power of the punch. This is more of a gimmick than a technical maneuver; this punch is not taught, being on the same plane in boxing technicality as is the Ali shuffle. Nevertheless, a few professional boxers have used the bolo-punch to great effect, including former welterweight champions Sugar Ray Leonard, and Kid Gavilán as well as current British fighter Chris Eubank Jr. Middleweight champion Ceferino Garcia is regarded as the inventor of the bolo punch. Bolo punch Bolo punch   Overhand (overcut) Overhand (overcut) Overhand: The overhand is a punch, thrown from the rear hand, not found in every boxer's arsenal. Unlike the cross, which has a trajectory parallel to the ground, the overhand has a looping circular arc as it is thrown over the shoulder with the palm facing away from the boxer. It is especially popular with smaller stature boxers trying to reach taller opponents. Boxers who have used this punch consistently and effectively include former heavyweight champions Rocky Marciano and Tim Witherspoon, as well as MMA champions Chuck Liddell and Fedor Emelianenko. The overhand has become a popular weapon in other tournaments that involve fist striking. Deontay Wilder heavily favours and is otherwise known for knocking many of his opponents out with one of his right overhands. Check hook: A check hook is employed to prevent aggressive boxers from lunging in. There are two parts to the check hook. The first part consists of a regular hook. The second, trickier part involves the footwork. As the opponent lunges in, the boxer should throw the hook and pivot on his left foot and swing his right foot 180 degrees around. If executed correctly, the aggressive boxer will lunge in and sail harmlessly past his opponent like a bull missing a matador. This is rarely seen in professional boxing as it requires a great disparity in skill level to execute. Technically speaking it has been said that there is no such thing as a check hook and that it is simply a hook applied to an opponent that has lurched forward and past his opponent who simply hooks him on the way past. Others have argued that the check hook exists but is an illegal punch due to it being a pivot punch which is illegal in the sport. Floyd Mayweather, Jr. employed the use of a check hook against Ricky Hatton, which sent Hatton flying head first into the corner post and being knocked down. Ring corner Boxer Tina Rupprecht receiving instructions from her trainer while being treated by her cutman in the ring corner between rounds. In boxing, each fighter is given a corner of the ring where they rest in between rounds for 1 minute and where their trainers stand. Typically, three individuals stand in the corner besides the boxer; these are the trainer, the assistant trainer and the cutman. The trainer and assistant typically give advice to the boxer on what they are doing wrong as well as encouraging them if they are losing. The cutman is a cutaneous doctor responsible for keeping the boxer's face and eyes free of cuts, blood and excessive swelling. This is of particular importance because many fights are stopped because of cuts or swelling that threaten the boxer's eyes. In addition, the corner is responsible for stopping the fight if they feel their fighter is in grave danger of permanent injury. The corner will occasionally throw in a white towel to signify a boxer's surrender (the idiomatic phrase "to throw in the towel", meaning to give up, derives from this practice).[73] This can be seen in the fight between Diego Corrales and Floyd Mayweather. In that fight, Corrales' corner surrendered despite Corrales' steadfast refusal. Health concerns See also: Dementia pugilistica and The distance (boxing) § Distance change criticisms Knocking a person unconscious or even causing a concussion may cause permanent brain damage.[74] There is no clear division between the force required to knock a person out and the force likely to kill a person.[75] Additionally, contact sports, especially combat sports, are directly related to a brain disease called chronic traumatic encephalopathy, abbreviated as CTE. This disease begins to develop during the life of the athlete, and continues to develop even after sports activity has ceased. In March 1981, neurosurgeon Dr. Fred Sonstein sought to use CAT scans in an attempt to track the degeneration of boxers' cognitive functions after seeing the decline of Bennie Briscoe.[76] From 1980 to 2007, more than 200 amateur boxers, professional boxers and Toughman fighters died due to ring or training injuries.[77] In 1983, editorials in the Journal of the American Medical Association called for a ban on boxing.[78] The editor, Dr. George Lundberg, called boxing an "obscenity" that "should not be sanctioned by any civilized society".[79] Since then, the British,[80] Canadian[81] and Australian[82] Medical Associations have called for bans on boxing. Supporters of the ban state that boxing is the only sport where hurting the other athlete is the goal. Dr. Bill O'Neill, boxing spokesman for the British Medical Association, has supported the BMA's proposed ban on boxing: "It is the only sport where the intention is to inflict serious injury on your opponent, and we feel that we must have a total ban on boxing."[83] Opponents respond that such a position is misguided opinion, stating that amateur boxing is scored solely according to total connecting blows with no award for "injury". They observe that many skilled professional boxers have had rewarding careers without inflicting injury on opponents by accumulating scoring blows and avoiding punches winning rounds scored 10-9 by the 10-point must system, and they note that there are many other sports where concussions are much more prevalent.[citation needed] However, the data shows that the concussion rate in boxing is the highest of all contact sports.[84][85][86] In addition, repetitive and subconcussive blows to the head, and not just concussions, cause CTE,[87][88][89][90][91][92] and the evidence indicates that brain damage and the effects of CTE are more severe in boxing.[93][94][95][96][97][98] In 2007, one study of amateur boxers showed that protective headgear did not prevent brain damage,[99] and another found that amateur boxers faced a high risk of brain damage.[100] The Gothenburg study analyzed temporary levels of neurofilament light in cerebral spinal fluid which they conclude is evidence of damage, even though the levels soon subside. More comprehensive studies of neurological function on larger samples performed by Johns Hopkins University in 1994 and accident rates analyzed by National Safety Council in 2017 show amateur boxing is a comparatively safe sport due to the regulations of amateur boxing and a greater control of the athletes,[101] although the studies did not focus on CTE or its long-term effects. In addition, a good training methodology and short career can reduce the effects of brain damage.[102] In 1997, the American Association of Professional Ringside Physicians was established to create medical protocols through research and education to prevent injuries in boxing.[103][104] Professional boxing is forbidden in Iceland,[105] Iran and North Korea. It was banned in Sweden until 2007 when the ban was lifted but strict restrictions, including four three-minute rounds for fights, were imposed.[106] Boxing was banned in Albania from 1965 until the fall of Communism in 1991. Norway legalized professional boxing in December 2014.[107] The International Boxing Association (AIBA) restricted the use of head guards for senior males after 2013.[108][109] A literature review study analyses present knowledge about protecting headgear and injury prevention in boxing to determine if injury risks associated with not head guard usage increased. The research of the reviewed literature indicates that head guards cover well against lacerations and skull fractures. Therefore, AIBA’s decision to terminate the head guard must be considered cautiously, and injury rates among (male) boxers should be continuously evaluated.[110] Possible health benefits This section needs additional citations for verification. Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources in this section. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. (March 2021) (Learn how and when to remove this template message) Like other active and dynamic sports, boxing may be argued to provide some general benefits, such as fat burning, increased muscle tone, strong bones and ligaments, cardiovascular fitness, muscular endurance, improved core stability, co-ordination and body awareness, strength and power, stress relief and self-esteem. Boxing Halls of Fame Stamp honoring heavyweight champion Gene Tunney The sport of boxing has two internationally recognized boxing halls of fame; the International Boxing Hall of Fame (IBHOF)[111] and the Boxing Hall of Fame Las Vegas. The latter opened in Las Vegas, Nevada in 2013 and was founded by Steve Lott, former assistant manager for Mike Tyson.[112] The International Boxing Hall of Fame opened in Canastota, New York in 1989. The first inductees in 1990 included Jack Johnson, Benny Leonard, Jack Dempsey, Henry Armstrong, Sugar Ray Robinson, Archie Moore, and Muhammad Ali. Other world-class figures[113] include Salvador Sanchez, Jose Napoles, Roberto "Manos de Piedra" Durán, Ricardo Lopez, Gabriel "Flash" Elorde, Vicente Saldivar, Ismael Laguna, Eusebio Pedroza, Carlos Monzón, Azumah Nelson, Rocky Marciano, Pipino Cuevas, Wilfred Benitez, Wilfredo Gomez, Felix Trinidad and Ken Buchanan. The Hall of Fame's induction ceremony is held every June as part of a four-day event. The fans who come to Canastota for the Induction Weekend are treated to a number of events, including scheduled autograph sessions, boxing exhibitions, a parade featuring past and present inductees, and the induction ceremony itself. The Boxing Hall of Fame Las Vegas features the $75 million ESPN Classic Sports fight film and tape library and radio broadcast collection. The collection includes the fights of many great champions, including: Muhammad Ali, Mike Tyson, George Foreman, Roberto Durán, Marvin Hagler, Jack Dempsey, Joe Louis, Joe Frazier, Rocky Marciano and Sugar Ray Robinson. It is this exclusive fight film library that will separate the Boxing Hall of Fame Las Vegas from the other halls of fame which do not have rights to any video of their sports. The inaugural inductees included Muhammad Ali, Henry Armstrong, Tony Canzoneri, Ezzard Charles, Julio César Chávez Sr., Jack Dempsey, Roberto Durán, Joe Louis, and Sugar Ray Robinson.[114]
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