The history of jumping rope is inconclusive. Some experts claim the practice dates back centuries to ancient Egypt, while others argue it has its foundation in China. A more modern example has its history dating back to Europe, in particular, the Netherlands (think Double Dutch). One thing that we do know is that as long as there has been pugilism or boxing, there has been skipping, or jumping rope. From the modern father of heavyweights, John L. Sullivan, who reigned undefeated during the 1880s (he was a bare-knuckle boxer before gloves and rules existed), to Rocky Marciano (whom some say was the hardest training boxer ever), to Ali, Hagler, Mayweather, Jr., and the PacMan himself, they all utilized the jump rope to work on their footwork and get and keep themselves in fighting shape.