Why are backhands illegal in boxing?

Question

How is this type of blow any more unfair or unsporting than a jab, hook, cross, etc? What's the thinking?

Answer 1

In the bare-knuckle days, backhands were used in a short, chopping motion, striking with the back of the knuckles across the eyebrows (usually used "coming back" after missing a hook punch).  They were not power shots, they were used to cut the opponent with the knuckles.  This defeats the purpose of boxing, which is to fight with the fists in a sustainable way.  If intentionally cutting an opponent was allowed and encouraged, boxing would consist of nothing more than this, and boxers' careers would be bloody, short, and painful.  A sport that isn't sustainable ceases to exist.

From a practical standpoint, there are several problems with the backhand as an offensive technique.  First, it is impossible to generate any real power with a backhand (short of a spinning backhand).  Second, hitting with the actual back of the hand is not really effective, since that part of the hand is weak and injury-prone.  So, the true backhand technique is of no use except when wearing padded gloves.  In short, it is not a self-defense technique.  Also, the vast majority of today's spinning backfists, seen in thai boxing and other sports, are actually hammer fist techniques; they are much more effective strikes than backfists, in addition to being much safer for the person throwing the strike.

Answer 2

I don't know for sure, but I'll take a stab at it...

maybe because it doesn't strike with the knuckles. maybe because it's a blow that is strategically costly. maybe because some british guy didn't think it was gentlemanly.

Answer 3

It's a pretty crappy shot if you've ever accidentally thrown one, puts you way off balance, especially if you miss, and leaves you wide open.

Answer 4

it will cut the opponents eyes much more easily, when the glove grazes their eye from an angle.

Answer 5

gloves started to protect the hand first, because if your hands go, your career is over, then the old gloves and first ones would peel the skin right off the contenders face, then came gel for the face. if you had bare knuckles you would have more damage to your fist. good thing about smaller or no gloves is that you get stopped faster. the bad thing about gloves is you have more of a chance for brain trauma from constint damage. so boxing has more deaths and paralization a year than any other fighting sport.

Answer 6

every sport has its rules and this is one unique to boxing. if you want to use backhands you can have a go at kickboxing where you can even use a spinning backhand which is a very powerful punch when done correctly.

Answer 7

I think just because that's how the rules developed historically. Harry Wills was actually disqualified for a backhand blow in his fight with Jack Sharkey!!

It seems strange as they are allowed in other combat sports, for example Thai boxing and I believe Savat.

I suppose if you are throwing a backhand you don't need to be square on to your opponent, and maybe the Marquiss of Queensbury thought this unsporting.

Answer 8

Probably because a fighter could disguise a forearm shot as a backhand.