Boxers

[zakhx150]

I know of nothing of the actually practice but there is recent archaeology that remains very interesting indeed.
The excavation period of 2003-2004 at the fort/vicus of Vindolanda (Chesterholm) on the Stanegate in northern Britain produced several items of decorated silver alloy plate, with three visible figures amongst them: a Man, a goddess and a Boxer.

from Birley, P., 2005, "Interim report on the decorated silver alloy plate" in Birley, A., and Blake, J., Vindolanda: The excavations 2003-2004[i][/i], Hexham:Vindolanda Trust, pp210 -213 ...

"the irregular shaped fragment is approx. 50mm x 40mm folded roughly in half...
The engaging figure shows a boxer circa 45mm high. The head is protected by a plain helmet and there is a suggestion of a holding strap covering the left ear. The helmet is very similar to those worn by boxer figure-types on terra sigillata (Felix Oswald 1179 and 1180)
He wears a short tunic, gathered at the waist, and has a cloak over the left shoulder. His arms are raised with the fists clenched, ready for the fight. A plain caestus ( a metal knuckleduster) can be seen on his right hand..."

Surely one can hypothesise that the awareness of such iconographic forms reveals an inherant military acceptance of, if not participation in, boxing. Hunting and wrestling are also suggested pass-times on the Northern fronteir (Birley,R., 2004) so why not boxing?

hope thats interesting if not enlightening.