Boxing's Egyptian Origins

Everyone thinks boxing is a Western style of fighting; primarily an English form of combat. This is a reasonable assumption, given that much of the sweet science's history has been from England and Continental Europe. However, there is evidence that boxing has been around for thousands of years in North Africa before arriving in southern Europe, where it would be practised as an often brutal duel between atheletes in the Greek Olympics, and later in Roman prize-fights. I'm sure many have heard of the metal spikes the fighters attached to their leather gloves (or equivalent of). It had, however, already existed as a sport in ancient Egypt.

Given my academic obsession with everything Egyptian (or anything that has to do with Ancient History, really), I will intensify my boxing training - just as my personal tribute to that great ancient civilization.



http://www.bbc.co.uk/london/sport/boxing/early_history.shtml