Pugilism
Origin
1791, from Latin pugil ("fist") + -ism, related to pugnus ("fist"),
Online Etymology Dictionary
from Proto-Indo-European roots. Compare contemporary pugilist ("boxer") (1790).
Full definition of pugilism
Noun
pugilism
(countable and uncountable; plural pugilisms)- fighting with fists, boxing
Usage notes
A rather fancy term, and may be considered pretentious. The simpler term boxing is much more common.