CHAP TER 1 Boxing and the Greatest Boxing is one of the oldest sports in the world The sport has existed since 1500 bce and has been part of the modern Olympic games since 1904 Fans enjoy the energy and excitement of watching a fight Viewers watch with anticipation as their favorite fighter walks down the ramp and enters the ring The fighter throws some jabs and hooks in the air practicing the punches he’ll use against his opponent The audience at boxing matches feels the intensity that comes from each fighter If boxers lose their focus for even one second they can get hit or even knocked out To prepare for a fight welterweight champion Floyd Mayweather took part in a 10-week training camp Mayweather went to the gym five days a week He sparred 4 21st century skills library
Ali trained both in the gym and by running three to five miles 4 8 to 8 kilometers nearly every day to stay sharp and fit with numerous boxers Boxers train hard because they test their physical and mental limits each time they box Fans enjoy watching these athletes show their strength and their skill They admire the risks boxers take and they appreciate how hard boxers train Supporters watch their favorite fighters and feel pride in their athleticism and dedication Boxing uses the 10-Point Must System to score a fight A fighter wins the match if he knocks out his opponent If by the end of the twelve rounds both fighters still stand the fight is said to have gone the distance If this happens three judges decide 5 Sports Unite Us
Ali celebrates during a match after knocking his opponent to the mat the winner Judges award a point for hard clean punches Boxers must also show good defense Fighters lose at least one point each time they are knocked down They also lose a point if they foul the other fighter Fighters can win a match three ways Unanimous decision means that all three judges gave the most points to the same fighter With split decision two judges declare a winner and the third judge claims the opponent won A majority decision occurs when two judges declare a winner while a third calls a draw If all 6 21st century skills library
The Anchor Punch Aside from Ali’s legendary quick footwork he perfected the Anchor Punch Fans at the match called it the phantom punch because Ali threw it so quickly hardly anyone actually saw it On May 25 1965 Ali fought Sonny Liston to defend his heavyweight championship As Liston threw a punch Ali planted his foot firmly on the ground and punched over Liston’s outstretched arm His overhand strike landed squarely against Liston’s jaw The force of the blow raised Liston’s left foot off the canvas and dumped him in a heap by the ropes It took Liston two tries to get up The referee restarted the fight Within six seconds Ali had punched Liston several more times and the referee ended the fight
