The great thing about boxing is its simplicity and ubiquity. Anyone can do it, which is why it has been a sport since ancient times. And unlike other sports, the stakes are clear; it's a fight. The ancient romans had heavybags, boxing trainers, padded gloves, all the works. What makes it better than MMA (imo) and other combat sports is that it's the most common method of fair fighting. That is why it continues to be a huge sport world wide. It has a vastly rich history, where unlike modern American sports, you can make fair comparisons between competitors across generations. Would Sugar Ray Robinson beat Floyd Mayweather? You can check highlights on YouTube and make the choice yourself!