Boxing existed long before it earned a place as a consistent sport in the modern Olympics in 1920. Early fighters wrapped strips of leather around their fists and fought in a match that only ended when one man conceded or went down. Today, official regulations require boxers to wear padded gloves, all matches take place in a 400 square foot arena, and electronic scoring machines make judges' officiating more objective. However, the end goal will always remain the same, to knock the other man out, force him to concede victory, or score more points by landing more punches than your opponent.

Despite experiencing a relatively late start in the Olympic world, boxing has produced some of the most legendary athletes of our time. The sport has introduced boxers like Muhammad Ali and three-time gold medalist Teofilo Stevenson to the world.

With one of the strongest boxing histories, Chicago is known for producing several world champions and hall of fame inductees. The Windy City is remembered for its ties to former boxing greats Andrzej Golota, Barney Ross, and Bobby Hitz. However, in a recent interview acclaimed trainer Sam Colonna, working out of Chicago gyms as both a boxing and personal trainer, said that the future of the sport in the city is just as bright as its past.

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