Surprising little has changed in sports since the Greek and Roman athletes competed for prizes in boxing, javelin- throwing, discus, jumping, wrestling, and pankration. Even as today, money was a motivator for competition. However, there were differences that a modern athlete would fine difficult over the course of many years. The rules and regulations have been modified in favor of the athlete. The technology of today has changed the way athletes trained for major events. Over many years technique has improved with the help of technology and with experienced athletes.
             In ancient Roman and Greek times, one sport men participated in was boxing. In ancient boxing there was no weight classification. The ancient Roman and Greek boxers competed against big and small also stronger and weaker competitors. Once the boxing began there was no stopping until one of the boxers were knocked out or until one would raise his hand to acknowledge defeat (Harris 22). The mathematical geniuses they were never realized how important it was to use a bye (Harris 23). A bye is when there are an irregular number of entries and the best one moves forward. This is effective only in the first round (Webster 54). In Greek and Roman boxing it was possible to draw a bye any round even at the semi-final stage. Also, it was possible to draw more then one bye during the contest. A man who drew a bye was called Ephedros or sitting by. An athlete who won an event without drawing a bye in any round claimed extra credit for being a victor Ephedros or without sitting by!
             Gloves were worn to protect the hands and this is still done today (Webster 55). The outter glove was made of long strips of soft leather, wound around the hands of the boxer. The inner glove for a boxer was to make the outter glove fit properly. The inner glove is made of a thin material that extends from the wrist to the top of the fingers and thumbs. This glove has separate slots...