Figure 3. Egyptian boxers and stick fighters, c. 1350 B.C.E., from the Tomb of Kheruef, Thebes, Egypt. 

MODERN BOXING EVOLVED FROM 16TH- AND 18TH-CENTURY PRIZEFIGHTS, LARGELY IN GREAT BRITAIN, TO THE FORERUNNER OF MODERN BOXING IN THE MID-19TH CENTURY, AND LATER IN THE UNITED STATES.

Figure 2. Terracotta relief of two Mesopotamian boxers, c. 2000 B.C.E. from Eshnunna, (Modern-day Tell Asram, Iraq). 

Figure 4 and 5. Boxer of Quirinal resting after contest and detail (bronze sculpture, BCE 300–200).

Figure 1. Terracotta plaque of wrestlers and boxers. Khafaji, Nintu Temple, Early dynastic Period, 3000-2340 B.C.E., Iraq Museum, Baghdad. 

LATER DEPICTIONS FROM THE 2ND MILLENNIUM BC ARE FOUND IN RELIEFS FROM THE MESOPOTAMIAN NATIONS OF ASSYRIA AND BABYLONIA. (see left figure 2)

Minoan youths boxing (BCE 1500), Knossos fresco. Earliest evidence for use of gloves.

BOXING WAS ONE OF THE EVENTS IN THE ANCIENT OLYMPIC GAMES AS EARLY AS 688 B.C.E. (see figure 4 & 5)

history

WHILE PEOPLE HAVE ENGAGED IN HAND-TO-HAND COMBAT SINCE THE BEGINING OF HUMAN HISTORY; some of The earliest known depiction of boxing comes from a Sumerian relief from the 3rd millennium BC.  (see below right Figure one) 

Definition 

A combat sport in which two people engage in a contest of strength, speed, reflexes, endurance, and will, by throwing punches usually with gloved hands.  

boxing