December 26. 10pm. “Button, have you ever heard of Boxing Day?”

“Does it have anything to do with the game?”

“Not at all.”

“Then what is it is about”

“This day is observed in Australia, Austria, Canada, the UK, and in some Commonwealth nations. In South Africa, the public holiday on December 26, is called the Day of Goodwill. Whenever this day falls on a Sunday, it is moved to a weekday so church-goers can go to church and observe other Sunday rituals. It is the day when people ‘box-up’ and return gifts. Actually, Boxing Day is the first weekday after Christmas.”

“Interesting. Nevertheless, does it have any connection with sports?”

“The association of Boxing Day with sports in early village celebrations has led to the folk theory that Boxing Day is traditionally associated with the game although the word box can mean a gift or gratuity, especially given in Britain at Christmas. In African Commonwealth nations, boxing contests are held. It’s a practice that has been followed for decades in Italy and Guyana.”