Famous Boxing Rings

The sport of boxing has been in existence for thousands of years and documented as a contest in the Olympic Games in Ancient Greece, in 688 B.C. The Roman Empire produced a form of boxing in which the participants would fight to the death but the sport was later banned due to its excessive brutality. Boxing resurfaced in London, England in the late 17th century and became a sport of global interest between the 19th and 20th centuries. Large venues were built for the purpose of paying spectators, particularly in America and Europe. Championship boxing matches are held in specifically built arenas, all over the world with some of the most famous venues in America and Britain.

  1. MGM Grand, Las Vegas

    • The Garden Arena at the MGM Grand Hotel is one of the worlds top boxing venues. Prominent boxing matches in the Garden Arena include the two fights between Mike Tyson and Evander Holyfield in 1996 and 1997. World heavyweight champion Tyson was knocked out for the second loss of his career in the first meeting and the rematch was infamous due to Tyson's disqualification due to biting a chunk from Holyfield's ear. George Foreman became the oldest world heavyweight champion in history when he knocked out Michael Moorer here in 1994.

      MGM Grand Hotel & Casino

      3799 Las Vegas Boulevard South

      Las Vegas, Nevada 89109

      877-880-0880

      mgmgrand.com

    Madison Square Gardens, New York City

    • Madison Square Gardens has hosted world heavyweight championship boxing since 1882 when John L. Sullivan defended the title against Joe Collins. The world famous arena has seen legendary fights such as Muhammad Ali's loss to Joe Frazier in 1971, Sugar Ray Robinson's defeat of Jake LaMotta, in 1942 and Rocky Marciano's knock out of former world champion Joe Louis in 1951.

      Madison Square Garden

      4 Pennsylvania Plaza

      New York, New York 10001

      212-465-MSG1

      thegarden.com

    York Hall, Bethnal Green, London, UK

    • The York Hall in the East End of London, England hosts world, European and domestic championship bouts for British boxers. The venue opened in 1929 and underwent a major refurbishment in 2005. Former British world champions Joe Calzaghe, Nigel Benn and Chris Eubank all fought at the York Hall. When he was a promising young prospect, former undisputed world heavyweight champion Lennox Lewis knocked out Noel Quarless at the venue in 1990.

      The York Hall

      5-15 Old Ford Road

      Bethnal Green

      London E2 9PJ

      011-020-8980-2243

    Caesars Palace, Las Vegas

    • Caesars Palace on the famous Las Vegas strip has hosted many world championship bouts. The match between Marvin Hagler and Thomas Hearns in 1985, has been heralded by ESPN as one of the best fights of all time, even though Hagler knocked out Hearns in the third round.

      Caesars Palace

      3570 Las Vegas Blvd South

      Las Vegas, Nevada 89109

      866-227-5938

      caesarspalace.com

    Blue Horizon, Philadelphia

    • The Blue Horizon was originally built as a house in 1865 and did not host a boxing match until 1938. It is used as a platform for local up and coming fighters to ply their trade and improve their skills. The venue has produced world champions such as Bernard Hopkins, Tim Witherspoon, Meldrick Taylor and Matthew Saad Muhammad.

      The Legendary Blue Horizon

      1314 N. Broad St.

      Avenue of the Arts

      Philadelphia, PA 19121

      215-763-0500

      legendarybluehorizon.com