Pugilato vs. boxe
The Italian words boxe and pugilato both translate to the sport of boxing, but they differ primarily in their tone, register, and origin. While pugilato is the traditional, formal Italian term derived from Latin, boxe is a widely accepted foreign loanword that dominates daily, casual conversations.
Pugilato
C1The word pugilato is the formal, official Italian noun for the sport of boxing. Rooted in Latin, it is commonly used in institutional contexts, official titles, Olympic events, and historical literature. Additionally, unlike boxe, pugilato can be used outside of sports to describe a literal brawl or physical fistfight between people.
Mio nonno è stato un campione regionale di pugilato negli anni sessanta.
(My grandfather was a regional boxing champion in the sixties.)
La lite in piazza è degenerata in un vero e proprio pugilato.
(The argument in the square escalated into a full-blown fistfight.)
Il comitato olimpico sta valutando nuove regole per il torneo di pugilato.
(The Olympic committee is evaluating new rules for the boxing tournament.)
Studiando la storia antica, si scopre che il pugilato era praticato anche in Grecia.
(Studying ancient history, one discovers that boxing was also practiced in Greece.)
La tecnica del pugilato richiede non solo forza fisica ma grande intelligenza tattica.
(The technique of boxing requires not only physical strength but great tactical intelligence.)
Boxe
B1The term boxe is an everyday loanword (from English via French) that has become the most common way to say boxing in modern Italy. It is the preferred term used in colloquial speech, at fitness centers, in pop culture, and when referring to the sport as a personal hobby or workout routine.
Da quando faccio boxe mi sento molto più in forma e rilassata.
(Since I started doing boxing, I feel much fitter and more relaxed.)
Ieri sera abbiamo ordinato una pizza e guardato un incontro di boxe in televisione.
(Last night we ordered a pizza and watched a boxing match on television.)
Devo passare al negozio di articoli sportivi per comprare dei nuovi guantoni da boxe.
(I need to stop by the sporting goods store to buy new boxing gloves.)
Molti attori si allenano con la boxe per prepararsi fisicamente per i film d'azione.
(Many actors train with boxing to prepare physically for action movies.)
Il mio personal trainer ha inserito una sessione di boxe nel mio allenamento settimanale.
(My personal trainer included a boxing session in my weekly workout.)
Summary
In short, use pugilato when speaking in a formal, institutional, or historical capacity, or when describing a street brawl. Switch to the ubiquitous boxe for casual, everyday language, such as talking about gym routines, sports equipment, or watching a match with friends.