Boxing is a full contact sport that consists of two people fighting each other with their fists, and with the exception of specialized styles, kicking is not allowed. Each match is broken into rounds, about 12, and can be won with a knockout, a technical knockout, or a tally of judges’ scores. There is no hitting below the belt, biting, wrestling, or striking with any part of the arm except the hand. Boxers are divided into weight classes, enabling them to be paired against opponents of a similar size and weight. The 17 weight classes range from minimumweight, weighing in at 105-108 lbs, to heavyweight, weighing in at 200 lbs and over.

As of January 21, 2010, Manny Pacquiao tops the Pound for Pound Top 10 list, according to Eastsideboxing.com, followed by Floyd Mayweather. Both men are up for consideration as “Fighter of the Decade,” according to HBO Boxing, along with Bernand Hopkins and Joe Calzaghe.