Why are backhands illegal?

[luke1979]

It is illegal and people have complained and been warned about it. Opponents of Ali used to say he would "flick" his jab and actually connect with the back hand.

Right but no one has ever been arrested and prosecuted because it is not exactly illegal like I said. Like I said before I'm probably wrong but I see it as foul at best that is so rare it has never really had any impact on the sport of boxing in one way or another. Again nobody is taught or trained to throw that kind of punch in a boxing gym. I think the same is true of hammer fist strikes.

[Haglerwins]

Because they're not manly.

Punch a man in his face straightaway.