AboutContact UsRegister

Boxing

A combat sport where competitors wear padded gloves and try to land punches to score points or stop their opponent from continuing.

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

Clearinghouse evidence base

  • Modified Sports - adaptations that make boxing more inclusive and accessible.

Evolution:

  • Amateur Boxing Australia [1943?-2003]
  • Boxing Australia [2003-]

Participation

A person in a boxing stance with their fists raised

An estimated 192,000 Australians [aged 15+] participated in boxing at least once in 2025. 2

A boxing glove

An estimated 18,000 Australian children [aged 0-14] participated in boxing at least once in 2025. 2

A boxing bag

An estimated 83,000 Australian women [aged 15+] and an estimated 108,000 Australian men [aged 15+] participated in boxing at least once in 2025. 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.

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.


REFERENCES
  1. Australian Championships history (1903-1949), opens in a new tab, Boxing Australia, (accessed 6 January 2026).
  2. AusPlay Data Portal: Participation by activity, opens in a new tabAustralian Sports Commission, (accessed 6 May 2026).
  3. Australia and Olympic Boxing, opens in a new tab, Australian Olympic Committee, (accessed 6 January 2026).
  4. The longest boxing match ever, opens in a new tab, Alex McClintock, Australian Geographic, (8 August 2019).
  5. About us, opens in a new tab, Boxing Australia, (accessed 6 January 2026).

Content disclaimer: See Clearinghouse for Sport disclaimer

Is this information complete? The Clearinghouse for Sport is a sector-wide knowledge sharing initiative, and as such your contributions are encouraged and appreciated. If you would like to suggest a resource, submit a publication, or provide feedback on this page, please contact us.

Working together for Australian sport

C4S-Footer-Sport Integrity Australia logo
C4S-Footer-Sport Integrity Australia logo
C4S-Footer-Australian Sports Foundation logo
C4S-Footer-Australian Sports Foundation logo
C4S-Footer-Australian Olympic Committee
C4S-Footer-Australian Olympic Committee
C4S-Footer-Paralympics Australia logo
C4S-Footer-Paralympics Australia logo
C4S-Footer-Commonwealth Games Australia logo
C4S-Footer-Commonwealth Games Australia logo
C4S-Footer-SAHOF
C4S-Footer-SAHOF
C4S-Footer-Invictus Australia logo
C4S-Footer-Invictus Australia logo
C4S-Footer-PLA
C4S-Footer-PLA
C4S-Footer-ACT Gov
C4S-Footer-ACT Gov
C4S-Footer-NSW Gov
C4S-Footer-NSW Gov
C4S-Footer-NT Gov
C4S-Footer-NT Gov
C4S-Footer-QLD Gov
C4S-Footer-QLD Gov
C4S-Footer-SA Gov
C4S-Footer-SA Gov
C4S-Footer-Tas Gov
C4S-Footer-Tas Gov
C4S-Footer-Vic Gov
C4S-Footer-Vic Gov
C4S-Footer-WA Gov
C4S-Footer-WA Gov
C4S-Footer-ACTAS
C4S-Footer-ACTAS
C4S-Footer-NSWIS
C4S-Footer-NSWIS
C4S-Footer-NT
C4S-Footer-NT
C4S-Footer-QAS
C4S-Footer-QAS
C4S-Footer-SASI
C4S-Footer-SASI
C4S-Footer-TIS
C4S-Footer-TIS
C4S-Footer-VIS
C4S-Footer-VIS
C4S-Footer-WAIS
C4S-Footer-WAIS
First Nations Flags, the Aboriginal flag and the Torres Strait Islander flag.
The Clearinghouse for Sport pay our respects to the Traditional Owners of Country throughout Australia. We pay our respects to Elders past and present, and acknowledge the valuable contribution Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people make to Australian society and sport.