Boxing
A combat sport where athletes wear padded gloves and attempt to punch their opponents to score points or until their opponent can no longer continue.
There is evidence that boxing was a popular activity in Australia from the 1800s. The first Australian national boxing championships took place in 1903. 1, 4
Australia's first Olympic boxer, and medallist, was Reginald “Snowy” Baker, at the 1908 Summer Games in London. 3
Discover more about boxing through the Clearinghouse evidence base:
- Modified Sports - adaptations that make boxing more inclusive and accessible.
Evolution:
- Amateur Boxing Australia [1943?-2003]
- Boxing Australia [2003-]
Participation
An estimated 198,500 Australians [aged 15+] participated in boxing at least once in 2024. 2
An estimated 16,000 Australian children [aged 0-14] participated in boxing at least once in 2024. 2
An estimated 82,500 Australian women [aged 15+] and an estimated 114,000 Australian men [aged 15+] participated in boxing at least once in 2024. 2
Explore further participation statistics for boxing through the AusPlay online portal., opens in a new tab
Governing body
Boxing Australia, opens in a new tab is the national federation for amateur boxing in Australia, recognised by government at all levels as the National controlling body for the sport of boxing. 5
The Australian National Boxing Federation, opens in a new tab, formed in 1965 and originally named the Australian Boxing Federation, is responsible for professional boxing in Australia.
REFERENCES
- Australian Championships history (1903-1949), opens in a new tab, Boxing Australia, (accessed 6 January 2026).
- AusPlay Data Portal: Participation by activity, opens in a new tab, Australian Sports Commission, (accessed 15 October 2025).
- Australia and Olympic Boxing, opens in a new tab, Australian Olympic Committee, (accessed 6 January 2026).
- The longest boxing match ever, opens in a new tab, Alex McClintock, Australian Geographic, (8 August 2019).
- About us, opens in a new tab, Boxing Australia, (accessed 6 January 2026).
Documents
The Clearinghouse for Sport has sought permission from relevant organisations for the inclusion of their documents in this archive. Copyright ownership remains vested with the organisation and as such permission from the copyright owner should be sought if you wish to communicate, adapt or reproduce these documents.
- Boxing Australia Annual Report 2024-2025[PDF • 6.79 mb]
- Boxing Australia Annual Report 2023-2024[PDF • 4.18 mb]
- Boxing Australia Annual Report 2022-2023[PDF • 8.66 mb]
- Boxing Australia Annual Report 2022[PDF • 1.64 mb]
- Boxing Australia Annual Report 2021[PDF • 1.77 mb]
- Boxing Australia Annual Report 2020[PDF • 1.7 mb]
- Boxing Australia Annual Report 2019[PDF • 2.68 mb]
- Boxing Australia Annual Report 2018[PDF • 3.77 mb]
- Boxing Australia Annual Report 2016-2017[PDF • 7.54 mb]
- Boxing Australia Annual Report 2015-2016[PDF • 4.89 mb]
- Boxing Australia Annual Report 2014-2015[PDF • 3.74 mb]
- Boxing Australia Annual Report 2013-2014[PDF • 2.71 mb]
- Boxing Australia Annual Report 2012-2013[PDF • 1.81 mb]
- Boxing Australia Annual Report 2011-2012[PDF • 1.72 mb]
- Boxing Australia Financial Report 2008-2009[PDF • 362.9 kb]
- Boxing Australia Financial Report 2006-2007[PDF • 2.23 mb]
- Boxing Australia Annual Report 2003[PDF • 257.56 kb]
- Amateur Boxing Australia Annual Report 2000[PDF • 1.34 mb]
Boxing Australia Annual Reports 1943-1999; 2001-2002; 2004-2010 not held.
- Boxing Australia Strategic Plan 2023-2025[PDF • 4.12 mb]
- Boxing Australia Strategic Plan 2019-2022[PDF • 1.19 mb]
- Boxing Australia Strategic Plan 2014-2018[PDF • 1.25 mb]
- Boxing Australia Strategic Plan 2010-2014[PDF • 166.9 kb]
- Boxing Australia Strategic Plan 2005-2009[PDF • 88.87 kb]
- Boxing Australia Strategic Plan 2001-2006[PDF • 291.98 kb]
- Boxing Australia High Performance Strategy 2025[PDF • 1.09 mb]
- Boxing Australia High Performance Plan 2018-2022[PDF • 536.96 kb]
- Boxing's Winning Edge 2014-2018[PDF • 2.32 mb]
- Boxing Australia Coaching Manual (2010)[PDF • 3.1 mb]
