Boxing

Original Olympics had it in another form, whereby competitors, with a leather strap wrapped around their wrists looked to bring down the fighter in front. Rome replaced the leather straps with metal, and the match ending with the death of an opponent. However, in the modern day boxing, beginning with the 1904 St Louis Olympics, the extreme mode of attack was replaced by defensive. Now, more than a century later, boxing is one of most popular sports in the Olympic Games and quite a few boxers have left their mark in the world including names like Muhammad Ali, George Foreman, Oscar De La Hoya and many more. In the upcoming London Olympics 2012, women boxing too will make its debut in flyweight, lightweight and middleweight events. The competition will take place at Excel Arena from 28th July to 12th August. 286 athletes, 250 men and 36 women will compete for the gold in different events. Here's a look at the gold medals won in previous games.