The Olympics are back and so is the excitement! This year’s edition will be especially interesting because of the inclusion of new sports and events. So let’s take a look at what’s in store for us at the Olympics 2021.
One of the most eagerly anticipated events is boxing. The sport has a long and rich history, and the Olympians are some of the best in the world. This year, there will be two weight classes for men and three for women.
Is Boxing in the Olympics 2021
The International Olympic Committee has not yet released an official list of sports for the 2021 Tokyo Olympics, but boxing is widely expected to be included. The sport has been a part of every Summer Olympics since 1904, with the exception of the 1912 Games in Stockholm.
The History of Boxing in the Olympics
Boxing has been a part of the Olympic Games since the inaugural edition in Athens in 1896. It was, however, dropped from the programme for the 1912 Stockholm Games but reinstated in 1920 in Antwerp.
The sport has been a regular fixture at the quadrennial global sporting spectacle since then and will once again feature at the upcoming Olympics in Tokyo in 2020.
Women’s boxing was introduced at the 2012 London Olympics and four weight categories – flyweight (48-51kg), lightweight (57-60kg), middleweight (69-75kg) and heavyweight (81kg and over) – will be contested at the Tokyo Games.
The Different Types of Boxing
There are four different types of boxing that are contested at the Olympic Games: flyweight, lightweight, middleweight, and heavyweight.
Flyweight: This is the lightest weight class in boxing, with boxers typically weighing in at 125lbs or less.
Lightweight: This weight class is for boxers who weigh in at between 125lbs and 134lbs.
Middleweight: This is the middle weight class, with boxers typically weighing in at between 155lbs and 176lbs.
Heavyweight: This is the heaviest weight class, with boxers typically weighing in at 176lbs or more.
The Different Weight Classes in Boxing
In boxing, fighters are placed into different weight classes depending on their weight. The intention is to allow for more fair matches, as well as avoid fights where one fighter has a clear size advantage.
There are generally eight different weight classes in boxing, ranging from flyweight (the lightest class) to heavyweight (the heaviest class). The specific weight limits for each class vary depending on the boxing organization, but they typically range from 112 pounds (flyweight) to over 200 pounds (heavyweight).
Here is a breakdown of the different weight classes in boxing:
-Flyweight: 112 pounds (50.8 kg)
-Super flyweight: 115 pounds (52.2 kg)
-Bantamweight: 118 pounds (53.5 kg)
-Super bantamweight: 122 pounds (55.3 kg)
-Featherweight: 126 pounds (57.2 kg)
-Super featherweight: 130 pounds (58.9 kg)
-Lightweight: 135 pounds (61.2 kg)
-Super lightweight: 140 pounds (63.5 kg)
-Welterweight: 147 pounds (66.7 kg)
-Super welterweight: 154 pounds (69.9 kg)
-Middleweight: 160 pounds (72.6 kg)
-Super middleweight: 168 pounds (76.2 kg)
-Light heavyweight: 175 pounds (79.4 kg)
Cruiserweight: 200 pounds+ (>90.7 kg)
The Different Boxing Organizations
The different boxing organizations are the International Boxing Association (AIBA), the World Boxing Council (WBC), the International Boxing Organization (IBO), and the World Boxing Organization (WBO). Each organization has different rules and regulations.
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) is the organization that governs the Olympic Games. The IOC does not have a direct impact on which sports are contested at the Olympics, but it does have some influence. For example, when baseball and softball were removed from the Summer Olympics in 2005, the IOC cited a lack of worldwide participation as one of the reasons.
The AIBA is recognized as the international governing body for Olympic boxing by the IOC. The AIBA was founded in 1946 and has been overseeing boxing at the Olympics since then. In order to be eligible to compete in Olympic boxing, athletes must compete in an AIBA-sanctioned event.
The WBC is one of four major sanctioning bodies for professional boxing. It was founded in 1963 with the goal of unifying all world championship titles in boxing. The WBC has no direct impact on Olympic boxing, but its belts are some of the most prestigious titles a professional boxer can win.
The IBO is another professional boxing organization that was founded in 1988. Its belt is also highly coveted by professional boxers. The IBO has no direct impact on Olympic boxing either.
The WBO is yet another professional boxing organization that was founded in 1988. Like the other major organizations, it has no direct impact on Olympic boxing.
In summary, there are four main organizations that oversee different aspects of boxing: The AIBA oversees Olympic boxing, while the WBC, IBO, and WBO oversee professional boxing.
The Different Boxing Rules
There are four main types of boxing: amateur boxing, professional boxing, semi-professional boxing, and Olympic-style boxing. Each type of boxing has its own set of rules and regulations.
Amateur boxing is the most common type of boxing. It is regulated by the International Boxing Association (AIBA) and is divided into four different weight classes: light flyweight (up to 48 kg), flyweight (up to 51 kg), bantamweight (up to 54 kg), and featherweight (up to 57 kg). Amateur boxers typically wear headgear during matches to protect themselves from head injuries.
Professional boxing is regulated by different organizations around the world. In the United States, professional boxing is governed by the Professional Boxing Safety Act of 1996. This Act created the Unified Rules of Boxing, which are followed by all professional boxers in the country. The Unified Rules divided professional boxing into eight different weight classes: strawweight (up to 105 lbs), junior flyweight (up to 108 lbs), flyweight (up to 112 lbs), super flyweight (up to 115 lbs), bantamweight (up to 118 lbs), junior featherweight (up to 122 lbs), featherweight (up to 126 lbs), and junior lightweight (up t130 lbs).
Semi-professional boxing is a less common form of the sport that is not as strictly regulated as amateur or professional boxing. Semi-professional boxers may or may not wear headgear during matches.
Olympic-styleboxing made its debut at the 1988 Summer Olympics in Seoul, South Korea. It is regulated by AIBA and uses a similar weight class system as amateur boxing. However, Olympic-style boxers are not required to wear headgear during matches.
The Different Boxing Techniques
There are four main types of boxing punches: jabs, crosses, hooks and uppercuts. Jabs are the most basic punches and are used to probe an opponent’s defenses. Crosses are more powerful and are used to break through an opponent’s guard. Hooks can be used to target an opponent’s head or body, and uppercuts are powerful upward punches that can target an opponent’s chin or solar plexus.
The Different Boxing Training Methods
There are various methods that people use to train for boxing. Some people may choose to just do general fitness training, while others may opt for more specific boxing training drills. It really depends on the person and what their goals are. Here are some of the different types of training methods that people use:
General fitness training: This type of training helps to improve your overall fitness levels and can be beneficial for both your boxing performance and your overall health. Some exercises that you might do as part of general fitness training include running, cycling, swimming, and strength training.
Boxing specific training: This type of training is more focused on improving your boxing skills and technique. It can help you to become more proficient in the different punches and defensive moves. Some exercises that you might do as part of boxing specific training include punching bags, shadow boxing, and sparring with a partner.
Interval training: Interval training is a type of training that involves periods of high-intensity activity alternated with periods of rest or low-intensity activity. This type of training can be beneficial for both your cardiovascular endurance and your anaerobic capacity. Interval training can also help to improve your mental toughness.