A boxing ring, often referred to simply as a ring or the squared circle, is the space in which a

boxing Boxing (also known as "Western boxing" or "pugilism") is a combat sport in which two people, usually wearing protective gloves and other protective equipment such as hand wraps and mouthguards, throw punches at each other for a predetermine ...

match occurs. A modern ring consists of a square raised platform with a post at each corner. Four ropes are attached to the posts and pulled parallel under tension with

turnbuckle A turnbuckle, stretching screw or bottlescrew is a device for adjusting the tension or length of ropes, cables, tie rods, and other tensioning systems. It normally consists of two threaded eye bolts, one screwed into each end of a small metal ...

s to form the boundary of the competition area.

Construction

As there are a number of

professional boxing organizations A professional is a member of a profession or any person who works in a specified professional activity. The term also describes the standards of education and training that prepare members of the profession with the particular knowledge and skil ...

, the standards of construction vary. A standard ring is between to a side between the ropes with another outside. The platform of the ring is generally from the ground and is covered by about of padding topped by stretched canvas. The ropes are approximately in diameter and at heights of 18, 30, 42, and 54 inches (.46, .76, 1.07, and 1.37 m) above the mat, held up on posts rising around above the mat. The ropes are attached together with spacers that prevent them from spreading too far apart. Construction of the ring environment extends to maximization of lighting in the ring, minimization of heat of the lighting, and a complete as possible cut-off of illumination at the ringside. Construction differs from the similar

wrestling ring A wrestling ring is the stage on which a professional wrestling match usually occurs. It is similarly constructed to a boxing ring and is traditionally square-shaped. Configuration and construction The configuration and construction of the tra ...

. A wrestling ring sports only three ropes (which may be sheathed steel cable) and is constructed to provide a more flexible mat surface than a boxing ring.

Terminology

The name "ring" is a relic from when contests were fought in a roughly drawn circle on the ground. The name ring continued with the

London Prize Ring Rules The London Prize Ring Rules were a list of boxing rules promulgated in 1838 and revised in 1853. These rules were based on those drafted by England's Jack Broughton in 1743 (known as the Broughton Rules) and governed the conduct of prizefighti ...

in 1743, which specified a small circle in the centre of the fight area where the boxers met at the start of each round. The first square ring was introduced by the Pugilistic Society in 1838. That ring was specified as square and bound by two ropes. For these and other reasons, the boxing ring is commonly referred to as the "squared circle". The term "ringside seat" dates as far back as the 1860s.Christine Ammer ''Southpaws & Sunday Punches and Other Sporting Expressions'' - 1993 1618422618 "The term "ringside seat" dates as far back as the 1860s. During the course of the century, however, it began to be used quite generally for a good view (literal or figurative) of any event, not necessarily an athletic one."

References

* {{boxing ring Martial arts equipment

Construction

Terminology

See also

References