Boxing

The history of boxing stretches back to Ancient Egypt in 3000 BC where bare-knuckle boxing was eagerly watched by the pharaohs and other royalty. In Greece, boxing was incorporated into the Ancient Olympics by the 7th century BC. During Roman times, centus gladiatorial duels were common, where the only weapon worn by the gladiators were gloves made from leather and filled with iron plates, blades or spikes.

At the turn of the 20th century, the sport branched into amateur boxing, which is a modern Olympic sport, and professional boxing. Originally, amateur boxers were not allowed to be paid for sports-related activities, in contrast to professional boxers who were paid to box, but since 1992, the distinction is based purely on fight rules rather than whether or not the boxer receives payment. The most successful professional boxers are some of the highest paid athletes in the world.

• 🌍 Farnborough, United Kingdom. Hosted illegal boxing bouts through the 19th century, including the first "international championship" between American Heenan and English Sayers in 1860. It was a brutal bare-knuckle bout that went for 42 rounds. (updated Nov 2019)
• Las Vegas, USA. Vegas has become the capital of modern boxing, home to T-Mobile Arena, the MGM Grand, Thomas & Mack Center and Caesars Palace. (updated Apr 2019)
• New York City, USA. Madison Square Garden is one of the world's most iconic boxing venues and was host to the "Fight of the Century", the first of three fights between Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier. The International Boxing Hall of Fame is in upstate New York, specifically in the Central New York community of Canastota, about halfway between Syracuse and Utica. (updated Apr 2019)
• Quezon City, Philippines. The Smart Araneta Coluseum in Cubao was for decades the largest boxing arena in Asia. It staged the third and final fight between Ali and Frazier, known as the "Thrilla in Manila", as well as many of Manny Pacquiao's biggest bouts. (updated Apr 2019)

• Martial arts