pugilism

[ pyoo-juh-liz-uh m ]

/ ˈpyu dʒəˌlɪz əm /

the art or practice of fighting with the fists; boxing.

Origin of pugilism

1785–95; < Latin pugil boxer (akin to pugnus fist, pugnāre to fight; compare Greek pýx with the fist, pygmḗ boxing) + -ism

pugging, puggree, puggy, pugh, pugil stick, pugilism, pugilist, pugin, puglia, pugmark, pugnacious

GOProud had been a group known for its pugilism, not its donor development.

Inside the Implosion of GOProud, the Right’s Most Notorious Pro-Gay Group |Tim Mak |June 6, 2014 |DAILY BEAST
This pugilism is never more apparent than when the family is defending its own.

The Next Dick |Michelle Cottle |September 2, 2011 |DAILY BEAST
There his pugilism ended; they afterwards shook hands, and continued good friends.

Lives of the Engineers |Samuel Smiles
Being challenged to a trial of pugilism by the King's son, he slew him.

The Bay State Monthly, Volume 3, No. 2 |Various

Several of the better performers set up schools of pugilism.

A Prisoner in Turkey |John Still
The costermongers boast of their skill in pugilism as well as at skittles.

Harper's New Monthly Magazine, No. XI.--April, 1851--Vol. II. |Various
He married an heiress in 1858, and thenceforth devoted himself to horse-racing, pugilism and sport in general.

Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 2, Slice 7 |Various

pugilism

/ (ˈpjuːdʒɪˌlɪzəm) /

the art, practice, or profession of fighting with the fists; boxing

pugilist, noun pugilistic, adjective pugilistically, adverb

C18: from Latin pugil a boxer; related to pugnus fist, pugna a fight