Contemporaries of Alexander Sergeyevich Pushkin noted his good physical fitness and muscular build, which was true. The Tsarskoye Selo Lyceum paid significant attention to sports, including fencing, swimming, and horseback riding. Alexander Sergeyevich excelled in these activities, and at the age of 20, he became interested in boxing, which was little known in Russia at the time.

Some researchers believe that boxing was brought to Russia by a member of the General Staff, Lieutenant Mikhail Andreyevich Shcherbinin. In 1814, he was on a mission in England and attended boxing matches organized for the Russian delegation. In one of the main fights, the local champion John Jackson participated. Shcherbinin was so impressed that he asked Jackson to teach him and took a boxing manual back home.

Pushkin became interested in Shcherbinin's stories and began practicing martial arts. He was the one who adapted the English verb to box, introducing the word "боксировать" into the Russian language. Pushkin even taught boxing. The son of his friend Pavel Vyazemsky recalled that in 1827, Pushkin taught him to box in the English style, and Pavel became so fascinated that he challenged anyone willing to a match at children's balls.

There were rumors that Pushkin himself demonstrated knockout skills, participating in fights with hussars against Germans at the Red Cabaret tavern in Peterhof. The poet wrote about boxing with respect, believing that English lords set an example, and that honor could be defended not only in duels but also by settling disputes in the ring.