pugilist
Fists for pay
A pugilist is a boxer—someone who fights with their fists.
The term sounds formal or old-fashioned compared to simply calling someone a boxer, and often appears in sports writing or historical contexts: The aging pugilist stepped into the ring one last time.
Professional ring combatant
- bareknuckleFighting without hand protection
- QueensberryBoxing regulation originator
- fisticuffsHand-to-hand combat
- bruiserLarge, intimidating fighter
palooka · battler · slugger · brawler · gladiator · duelist · scrapper · journeyman
Quick, straight blow
- hookCurved catching device
- uppercutAscending boxing strike
- crossPass from side to side
- counterpunchRetaliatory boxing blow
parry · feint · bobbing · weaving · clinch · footwork · southpaw · orthodox
Highest combat weight class
- welterweight147-pound boxing division
- lightweightLacking mass or importance
- featherweightBoxing class under 126
- middleweightAverage-mass fighter classification
bantamweight · flyweight · cruiserweight · champion · contender
Limited stretch of something
- knockoutIncapacitating final blow
- roundsAmmunition or bout divisions
- bellHollow resonating instrument
- refereeSports rule enforcer
canvas · ropes · corner · gloves · judges · scorecard · undercard · purse
Practice combat training
- conditioningLearned behavioral adaptation
- gymExercise facility
- coachOne who instructs
- trainerOne who conditions others
speedbag · shadowboxing · roadwork · skipping · endurance · strength · cardio · discipline
Inclined toward conflict
- aggressiveHostile and confrontational
- belligerentHostile and eager to clash
- scrappyAggressively spirited despite odds
- tenaciousStubbornly determined to continue
fierce · fearless · determined · gritty · resolute · unflinching · hardnosed · competitive
prizefighter
Professional ring combatant
- bareknuckleFighting without hand protection
- QueensberryBoxing regulation originator
- fisticuffsHand-to-hand combat
bruiser · palooka · battler · slugger · brawler · gladiator · duelist · scrapper · journeyman · tomato can
jab
Quick, straight blow
counterpunch · parry · feint · bobbing · weaving · clinch · footwork · southpaw · orthodox · haymaker
heavyweight
Highest combat weight class
- welterweight147-pound boxing division
- lightweightLacking mass or importance
- featherweightBoxing class under 126
middleweight · bantamweight · flyweight · cruiserweight · champion · contender
bout
Limited stretch of something
referee · canvas · ropes · corner · gloves · judges · scorecard · undercard · purse · promoter
sparring
Practice combat training
- conditioningLearned behavioral adaptation
- gymExercise facility
- coachOne who instructs
trainer · speedbag · shadowboxing · roadwork · skipping · endurance · strength · cardio · discipline · mitts
combative
Inclined toward conflict
- aggressiveHostile and confrontational
- belligerentHostile and eager to clash
- scrappyAggressively spirited despite odds
tenacious · fierce · fearless · determined · gritty · resolute · unflinching · hardnosed · competitive · relentless
- boxingjab, uppercut, hook, punch, knockout
- fightersboxer, boxers, wrestler, Muhammad Ali, fighter
- brawlersbrawler, bruiser, fighter, scrapper, street fighter
- wuxiamartial artist, swordsman, kung fu, martial arts, qi
- arena fightersgladiator, pit fighter, scissor, velites, cage fighter
- bulliesbully, intimidator, tormentor, tormenter, harasser
pugilistpacifist
Anti-violence believer
peacemaker · spectator · noncombatant · conscientious objector · referee
pugilistwrestler
One who grapples opponents
grappler · judoka · kickboxer · martial artist · fencer