Why is a boxing ring called a...

Why is a boxing ring called a “ring” when the enclosure is square?

According to the book “The Beginner’s Guide to Boxing,” in the early days of professional boxing, groups of fighters would travel from town to town challenging local men. So neither competitor would try to run during the fight, the fighters would arrange a few of the spectators in a circle and have them hold a rope. The bout would then take place in the “ring.”

As boxing grew in popularity, the hand-held ring no longer sufficed, so the rope was attached to four stakes driven into the ground, producing a square enclosure.