Translation guide
The sport of boxing. In Japanese, this is usually referred to as ボクシング, a loanword from English. There is also a traditional term 拳闘, but it is less common. When talking about the action of punching, different verbs are used.
boxing (sport)
Referring to boxing as a sport or athletic activity.
The most common and standard term for the sport of boxing. Used in all contexts.
He is learning boxing.
I went to see a boxing match.
A traditional Japanese term for boxing. It is rarely used in modern conversation and may sound old-fashioned or literary.
Boxing is an ancient sport.
Describing the act of hitting someone with fists, not necessarily as a sport.
A fistfight or brawl. Implies a mutual exchange of punches, often in a street fight or informal setting.
A fistfight broke out between the drunks.
To punch or hit someone. A general verb for striking with a fist.
To punch. A loanword from English, often used in casual contexts or when referring to boxing moves.
He is punching the punching bag.
ボクシング specifically refers to the sport. For a fistfight or brawl, use 殴り合い or 喧嘩 (けんか).
Those two had a fight.
彼は相手を殴った。
He punched his opponent.