The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Pugilist \Pu"gil*ist\, n. [L. pugil.]
   One who fights with his fists; esp., a professional prize
   fighter; a boxer.
   [1913 Webster]

WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006):

pugilist
    n 1: someone who fights with his fists for sport [syn: boxer,
         pugilist]