What helps to regulate beating of figures surrounding boxer? (9)
I believe the answer is:
digitalis
'what helps to regulate beating' is the definition.
I can't tell whether this definition defines the answer.
'figures surrounding boxer?' is the wordplay.
'figures' becomes 'digits' (I can't explain this - if you can you should give a lot more credence to this answer).
'surrounding' indicates putting letters inside.
'boxer?' becomes 'Ali' (Muhammad Ali).
'digits' enclosing 'ali' is 'DIGITALIS'.
'of' acts as a link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for digitalis that I've seen before include "plant making this drug?" , "Cardiac stimulant prepared from 11" , "Drug from foxgloves" , "medicinal drug" , "Heart drug prepared from foxglove leaves" .)