William Edwards - The Art of Boxing and Manual of Training (1899)

William Edwards - The Art of Boxing and Manual of Training (1899)

I have been reading a reproduction of this classic boxing training manual. To say that this manual is surprising would be an understatement. Mainly, this classic manual shows a number of aspects of boxing training that has been lost to history. Actually, many of these techniques have not been lost. They are present in MMA. However, many old boxing techniques are no longer associated with boxing. This is because we look at boxing from its only modern sources: the professional circuit, the amateur circuit, and the Olympics. Originally, boxing was taught as a self-defense art. Then, it was taught as sport and self-defense. Then, it became taught as sport only. Now, it is taught as both sport and self defense. That is why it is important to look at the earlier incarnations of boxing since they mention a number of interesting techniques. Some of these techniques are nothing you haven't seen before. You just never associated them with boxing.

For example, one of the most shocking inclusions in this book are the presence of a judo hip toss and judo' osoto gari. They were included as counters to a clinch and mentioned as being more for self-defense than sport since they are barred in the ring. Interesting stuff.