Boxing: Interesting Facts

• Before the Marquis of Queensberry rules for Boxing were drawn up in 1867, all prize fights in England and the United States were fought with bare knuckles. Even as late as 1882, the great John L. Sullivan, then Boxing champion of the world, rarely fought wearing gloves.
  
• Muhammad Ali was known for fighting with his hands held low, even down byhis waist. But Aaron Brown "The Dixie Kid" was the first man to fight in this style.
  
• If you think George Foreman is tough, Herbert Odom was 46 years old in 1979 when he boxed his FIRST pro fight and won in two rounds!
  
• The first boxing club was established in 1814, it was the Pugilistic Club, London.
  
• Ever wonder where the phrase "Is it the real McCoy" came from? Back inthe 1890's Charles "Kid" McCoy was a master at tricking his opponents into believing he was ill or in difficulty. Consequently people were never sure wether he was realy hurt, ill or faking. Thus the saying "Is it the real McCoy" was born.
  
• Did you know that the inventor of the rocket, George Stephenson, used to box and even took part in prizefights. I guess this proves boxers are smarter than most of us give them credit for.

With grateful thanks to SaddoBoxing.com