ABSTRACT
Many people in modern western societies may find the idea of the ‘civilizing’ of boxing a contradiction in terms. There is a tendency for many people in such societies to regard this form of fist fighting as a brutal, degrading, barbaric and physically and mentally damaging activity which scarcely deserves the designation ‘sport’. Certainly many people are undoubtedly repelled and revolted by the direct infliction of physical damage and pain which are integral aspects of boxing. However, as I hope to demonstrate, it is possible to use the concept of ‘civilizing processes’, to shed meaningful light on the development of the sport (Elias 1978, 1982).
