Expert: Alan Kahn - 9/1/2004

Question
I am doing a school project on boxing.  My question is why are there 2 colors - red and blue for the opposing fighters?  How did these colors get chosen?

Answer
Hi Ryan,

I am glad you are doing a project on Boxing. That is a great subject and you ask a very interesting question.  However, I can't answer that because I don't know.  I never really thought about the opposing colors but the rules I found at the link below specify it:

http://boxing.about.com/library/bl_amateur_rules.htm

scroll down the page to #4 and find this:

(4) Before a contest begins, the referee and the judges should confirm the identity of each boxer, fill in the necessary preliminary entries on their score card, such as weight class, bout number, date and affix their signature to the bottom of the paper. Each official will print, in large block letters, the names of the boxers  - in the red and blue corners - in the corresponding left and right columns on the scorecard. Note: Competition organizers should strive to have all scorecards pre-printed or typed with names, club representation, weights, etc.
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But I could not find any online information "why" it is that way.  You might cruise these sites and perhaps ask in some online boxing forums.

http://www.amateur-boxing.com/

http://www.usaboxing.org

http://p201.ezboard.com/brossboxingforum

Newsgroup: Rec.Sport.Boxing

Good luck in your search and sorry I couldn't answer this one for you.

sincerely,

Alan Kahn
author, The Speed Bag Bible

home page
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