The boxing ring is where all the action happens – this is where the fights are fought, where titles are won and lost and where history in the sport of boxing is made. A boxing ring is always set up on a raised platform to allow the spectators an excellent view of the fights. The boxing ring is square in shape with posts in each corner with four rows of ropes attached with a turnbuckle.

The dimensions of the boxing ring can vary depending on the professional boxing organisation that is staging the fight. Normally a boxing ring is between 16 and 25 feet square (this is between the ropes) with around another 2ft outside. As mentioned earlier the rings are normally raised on a platform which is usually around 3 to 4ft high. The posts in each corner of the boxing ring rise to around 5ft.

Each contestant has his or her own corner where there is a seat they can sit at between rounds of play. The corners are known as the red corner and the blue corner and each contestant will be announced as having come from that corner at the start of the fight.

You may be wondering why a boxing ring is called a 'ring' given that the modern versions are square in nature. This is because the name originates from when contests were fought in a circle drawn on the ground. The very first square ring was indeed not introduced until 1838 by the Pugilistic Society. This first square boxing ring measured 24ft square and was embraced by two ropes. Boxing rings are commonly referred to as the 'square circle', not only for these reasons, but also because the fighters tend to circle each other around the boxing ring.

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