WE MAY have entered in hand-to-hand combat since the dawn of time, but boxing as an organised sport is thought to originate from the ancient greeks as an Olympic game in 688 BC.

The sport further evolved into what we know now during the 16th, 17th and 18th centuries, with Great Britain being a large part of it’s shaping.

Through the years, the people of Dorset have had a fondness of the sport, many of its participants appearing in the Daily Echo.

These pictures provide a glimpse into the world of Boxing in the county through the years.