General introduction of boxing
(www.athens2004.com)
Updated: 2004-07-29 10:30

The sport of boxing was never intrinsically linked with aggressive attack and heavy hitting. According to Dion, a historian, since ancient times people “did not consider beating and quarelling to be evidence of bravery". To the contrary, the aim of the 'un-injured' (atravmatistos) athlete in ancient Greece was the constant defense and the avoidance of blows, until his opponent was exhausted in attack and was led to 'apagorefsi', namely surrender by raising either one or two fingers, a sign that he acknowledged his defeat. A boxer called Melagomas from Karia in Asia Minor was famous in ancient times for this ‘un-injured’ style of boxing. He was able to avoid his opponents' blows and defend himself for two days, until his opponents conceded defeat.

Description

Only male boxers participate in the Olympic Games. Women's official boxing bouts first appeared in 1993 but have not been yet included in the official Olympic programme. They must be at least 17 years old and no older than 34. Boxing pairs are drawn by lot, just as in ancient times, according to their respective weight category. Each boxing bout lasts four rounds of two minutes each, with a one-minute break between each round. A score is marked when the athlete hits his opponent at the front part of the head or on the upper part of the body - above the belt line. However, the score is registered only when at least three of the five judges acknowledge the hit simultaneously.

The total number of valid points at the end of the fourth round determine the winner. If there are an equal number of points at the end of the match, then the best and worst total score given amongst the five judges are deducted. The winner is the one who is left with the most points from the remaining three judges.

ATHENS 2004 Boxing

The Olympic Boxing competition will last 15 competition days, from 14 to 29 August, with one rest day on August 26th. There are one or two sessions in every competition day. The first period has been programmed to start at 13:30 and end at 16:30, and the second to start at 19:30 and end at 22:30. Boxing will be hosted at the Peristeri Olympic Boxing Hall.