This is a download from BBC Learning English.
To find out more, visit our website.
Take Away English from BBC Learning English.
Boxing has been practised for centuries — it was even one of the sports in the original Olympic Games in ancient Greece.
More recently, boxing has become mainstream in the UK, with hundreds of thousands of people from all walks of life participating in the sport every week. But why?
The answer lies in the physical, mental and even social benefits boxing can bring.
Its physical benefits are clear.
Whether it's practising with a punching bag, sparring with a partner or facing an opponent in the ring, boxing can be an intense form of exercise and give a full-body workout.
It can improve muscular strength, and it can also increase anaerobic fitness — allowing someone to work out harder, for longer.
These can, in turn, have a positive impact on other aspects of physical well-being, like heart health and weight management.