The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Pugilism \Pu"gil*ism\, n. [L. pugil a pugilist, boxer, akin to
   pugnus the fist. Cf. Pugnacious, Fist.]
   The practice of boxing, or fighting with the fist.
   [1913 Webster]

WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006):

pugilism
    n 1: fighting with the fists [syn: boxing, pugilism,
         fisticuffs]