Boxing is an active and physically demanding sport in which two people fight each other with their fists.  Opponents are usually of similar weight and matches are organised into two or three minutes bouts called rounds and it is overseen by a referee.  The fight is won by one opponent being knocked out and unable to get up before the referee counts to ten seconds; if one opponent is judged to be too injured to continue or if the match has continued to the agreed number of rounds with no knock out and then the winner is declared by the referee or the judges.

In boxing, hitting below the belt, holding, pushing, biting, spitting, tripping or wrestling are prohibited but a fighter may use a 'clinch' or holding the opponent’s arms as a defensive move in order to cause a pause in fighting and this then has to be broken by the referee.

Boxing is an ideal sport for improving reaction, endurance, strength, agility and fitness.  Protective clothing is worn, including gloves with different regulations applying to fighters in amateur and professional competitions.  Many start the sport as part of a local club and then move on and progress their career if they choose to - some amateur boxers moving into the professional sphere where they get paid for boxing.

Boxing training pays attention to the physical and mental demands of the sport but also teaches important techniques including stances, defences, guards and punches.