Engage in pugilism

BOX

Think of the four-letter sport where gloves and a ring are essential.

"Engage in pugilism" is a formal way to say "box," since pugilism is the technical term for the sport of boxing. The clue avoids slang to make you think of the proper word rather than casual phrases like "fight" or "spar." It’s a straightforward definition with no wordplay—just a direct link between the fancy term and the common answer.