It is one of the oldest and most well-known combat sports .

At a competitive level, it takes place inside a square space called the ring , between two athletes who face each other by hitting each other with their fists closed (protected by special gloves ), in order to weaken and land the opponent. This sport is known, since the eighteenth century , also as "the noble art", requiring its practitioners characteristics such as courage , strength , intelligence and speed .

The word "boxing" comes from the Latin pugilatus, which originates from pugil, which indicates the athlete who fights with the pugnus, or with the "fist".