Most extant sources about ancient Greek boxing are fragmentary or legendary, making it difficult to reconstruct the rules, customs and history surrounding this activity in great detail.

Still, it is clear that gloved boxing bouts were a significant part of ancient Greek athletic culture throughout the early classical period.

In time, the boxers began to fight while standing and wearing gloves (with spikes) and wrappings on their arms below the elbows, but otherwise they fought naked.

According to the Iliad, Mycenaean warriors included boxing among their competitions honoring the fallen, though it is possible that the Homeric epics reflect later Greek culture.

Boxing was among the contests held in memorial of Achilles' slain friend Patroclus, toward the end of the Trojan War.

Fighters wore leather straps (called himantes) over their hands (leaving the fingers free), wrists, and sometimes breast, to protect themselves from injury.

The early Spartans believed helmets were unnecessary and boxing prepared them for the inevitable blows to the head they would receive in battle.

In addition, "sharp thongs" were introduced during this time period to facilitate greater damage and remained popular up until around 200 AD.

[13] Unlike modern boxing, the Greeks did not enclose the competitors in a ring to encourage fighting in close quarters.

If the fight lasted too long due to the tenacity of the competitors, the athletes could choose to hit each other in turn without either man defending themselves, to speed up the process of a knockout or surrender.

The match ending was also changed, as tap outs weren't allowed in the beginning, but submissions were later added for safety measures.

Boxers also suffered serious injuries, including bruises, concussions, brain damage, internal hemorrhages and broken bones.