Boxing

Amateur boxing is a sport of speed and precision rather than power: three rounds for both men and women, gloves, protective gear and a scoring system in which five judges assess, round by round, who has struck most effectively, who has controlled the ring and who has imposed their game plan. Boxing is one of the oldest sports: it was already part of the ancient Olympic Games, and in 18th-century England, fights were held bare-knuckled. Modern rules were established in 1867 with the Marquess of Queensberry’s code, which mandated the use of gloves and the division into rounds. Boxing made its Olympic debut in 1904; the women’s tournament was introduced at London 2012. In a bout, controlling the distance is key: the jab to gauge the opponent, footwork to ensure you never stand still, and a high guard to limit blows to the face. The weight categories, which are very closely defined, serve to ensure physical parity between the contenders. At the 20th Mediterranean Games in Taranto 2026, boxing will take place from 22 to 27 August at the Palazzetto dello Sport in San Giorgio Jonico, with 14 titles up for grabs: seven men’s categories (55, 60, 65, 70, 80, 90, +90 kg) and seven women’s categories (51, 54, 57, 60, 65, 70, 75 kg).