Amateur boxing is a sport where points are scored through punches to specified targets on the opponent's body. Competitors wear protective headgear and box for four 2-minute rounds in a "ring". The bout is decided on points or other decisions under the rules of the International Boxing Federation (AIBA).

History

Boxing dates back to antiquity. There is evidence of boxing in North Africa as far back as 4000BC with signs it was practiced in Egypt around 3000BC. Boxing was introduced to the Olympic Games by the Greeks in 688BC.

In 1867, amateur championships were held in London under Marquess of Queensberry Rules for lightweights, middleweights and heavyweights. In Britain, the Amateur Boxing Association (ABA) was formed in 1880.

Eleven gold medals weree at stake in the 15th Asian Games in Doha, one in each of 11 weight categories. Two bronze medals were awarded in every class, so beaten boxers did not have to fight again in a medal play-off bout.

Boxing has been a competitive event since the 2nd Asian Games in Manila, Philippines, in 1954.

Rules

The men's boxing competition will comprise the following events in the 15th Asian Games:

• Light Fly Weight (48kg)
• Fly Weight (51kg)
• Bantam Weight (54kg)
• Feather Weight (57kg)
• Light Weight (60kg)
• Light Welter Weight (64kg)
• Welter Weight (69kg)
• Middle Weight (75kg)
• Light Heavy Weight (81kg)
• Heavy Weight (91kg)
• Super Heavy Weight (+91kg)

Each bout will be four rounds of two minutes each, with a one minute interval between rounds. A referee in the ring ensures that the boxers only use legal blows. The referee also separates the fighters when they are holding on to each other. Repeated holding from one fighter could result in a warning and, eventually, disqualification.

Points are awarded by five judges, who each push a button when they believe one fighter has landed a clean punch with the white area marked on the front of his glove.

If three of the five judges all push the same fighter's button within one second then he is awarded a point. The referee can take a point away at his discretion for persistent rule-breaking.

The fighter with most points at the end of four rounds is declared the winner. It is possible to win early by moving more than 20 points ahead, knocking your opponent out, or if the referee decides that the opponent is too badly injured or outclassed to continue.

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