The Group Chat: Hit it with a left, hit it with a right

A major women’s sports milestone is set for this Friday, when two of the best women’s boxers ever, Ireland’s Katie Taylor and Puerto Rico’s Amanda Serrano, will duke it out for the third and final time. Their last bout in November was a massive cultural moment — and this time is shaping up to be even more epic.

• You might be thinking, “Women’s boxing? Not my thing.” But the sport’s feminist history is longer (and more empowering) than you might think.

• So to help prepare you for the main event, we’re here with a guide to boxing’s place in the women’s sports renaissance, including some myth-busting about the sport and tips for how you can get in the ring — no raw meat required.

The first recorded women’s boxing matches took place in London, U.K. in the 1720s, and boxing legend Barbara Buttrick made serious history at exhibition matches in the 1950s, but the sport really took off in North America in the 1970s when trailblazers like Caroline Svendsen won the right to fight.

• Women’s boxing worked its way into the mainstream in the ’90s, peaking on March 15th, 1996. That’s when Christy Martin and Deirdre Gogarty fought on the undercard (i.e. opening act) for a bout between Mike Tyson and Frank Bruno and upstaged the men, making the gals a national sensation.

• Just how big of a deal was the Martin-Gogarty fight? Many consider it the birth of modern women’s pro boxing, and actress Sydney Sweeney is playing Martin in an upcoming biopic. Preparing the popcorn already.

Flash forward to the 21st century: Women’s boxing finally became an Olympic sport at the London 2012 Games, 108 years after it was first submitted for consideration.

• Today, the sport continues to gain momentum among women at the pro and amateur levels — and even in your local gym. And this Friday, the Taylor vs. Serrano all-women’s card will bring the sport into the national spotlight once again.

Now that you have the feminist history of boxing under your (championship) belt, it’s time to dig deeper into its place in women’s sports culture. Let’s take some questions from The Group Chat, shall we?

Q: Boxing seems so brutal. Isn’t it just about knocking out your opponent?

A: Boxing isn’t just flailing fists — it’s a very technical sport that requires strategy and poise in addition to strength, agility, and endurance. Some fights end in knockouts (KOs) or technical knockouts (TKOs), but the majority (especially in fights between women) are decided by judges via a points-based scoring system.

• That said, it is a violent sport, and head injuries are particularly concerning. It’s crucial for competitive boxers to develop strong defensive skills — thus the infamous fancy footwork and head-bobbing.

Q: How is it different from mixed martial arts (MMA)?

A: MMA is like boxing, but with way fewer rules. To start, boxers are only allowed to punch one another on heads and torsos, while MMA fighters can kick, wrestle, tackle, elbow, and knee their opponents to their heart’s content. Culturally, boxing is a centuries-old sport that’s generally seen as more prestigious compared to brawl-style MMA, which mostly hit North America in the ’90s.

• If boxing is ballet, MMA is breakdancing — both require athleticism and skill, but one is all about control and discipline, while the other leans more creative, gritty, and chaotic.

Q: Sounds intense. Do you have to be Christy Martin herself to get in the ring?

A: Definitely not! Boxing-style fitness classes and gyms are wildly popular in the U.S. and Canada, and they can deliver the workout of a lifetime via non-contact drills and exercises, all without ever having to square up against an opponent. Shadowboxing in the mirror is more exhausting than you might think.

• Whether you’re contact-curious and looking to spar, seeking a fresh and fun way to work out, or taking classes for self-defense tactics, learning to box can be incredibly empowering — just ask Sydney.