About International Boxing Day
International Boxing Day originated in Russia, in 2017, following the initiative of Umar Kremlev in his role as Secretary General of the Russian Boxing Federation.
In 2019, the International Boxing Association (IBA) recognized and designated International Boxing Day to be celebrated every year and encouraged the global boxing family, fans, partners and stakeholders to join forces in celebrating.
This day is about celebrating boxing but it is also an opportunity to show that it is an accessible sport – open to everyone. Boxing has had such a positive impact on my life and I want as many other people to benefit from it as well. At IBA we are working hard to develop boxing all around the world so more people have the opportunity to take part in our sport.
Boxing is a sport with a long and distinguished history. It is both an ancient and modern sport, with roots in both the East and the West.
Boxing has been practised for millennia, with the earliest evidence coming from Ancient Greece. The sport was then adopted by the Romans, who called it "pugilatus". Boxing continued to be popular in Europe throughout the Middle Ages and Renaissance.
The modern version of boxing originated in England in the 18th century. The first professional boxing match was held in 1743, and boxing quickly became a popular spectator sport. In the 19th century, boxing became increasingly regulated, with rules and weight classes being introduced.
Today, boxing is enjoyed all over the world as both a competitive sport and a recreational activity.
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