"the lore and annals of prize-fighting," by 1819, mock-Latin, from box (v.2).
Entries linking to boxiana
box v.2
"to beat, thrash, strike with the fist or hand," late 14c., from box (n.2). The meaning "to fight with the fists" (intransitive), whether gloved or not, is from 1560s. Related: Boxed; boxing.