Page:Athletics and Manly Sport (1890).djvu/36

Rh heap of muscularity and begins his blow where all blows ought to begin, from the solidarity of the right foot. He bends the right arm into an obtuse angle, the elbow slightly raised from the side, and throws the entire weight of body and momentum of released biceps into the blow.

Therefore, it may be said, that the last few years have witnessed a greater permanent advance in boxing than any period since the time of John Broughton, who was the British champion from 1734 to 1750, and who has been, though not very truly, called "the founder of the modern art of self-defence."

III. ANTIQUITY OF BOXING. and Irish athletes have done much for boxing; but an examination of the whole field would lead to the conclusion that "the modern art of self-defence" is not so modern as some people think.

Boxing is the only art of attack and defence which we have as an unbroken inheritance from the ancients.

Every weapon used by men has been changed in use and shape within one thousand, much less