Try To Give This Subject Some Proper Consideration... (Boxing - Is it a Sport?)

Member Name: blackjane

Product:	Boxing - Is it a Sport?
Date:	01/12/01 (220 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Could have been a more useful topic

Disadvantages: More care and thought required when setting up sub-categories like this

Most of the topics that I choose to write about tend to be relatively straightforward and uncontroversial. I have been known to dabble in 'Speakers Corner' occasionally, although I try to stick to the path of providing reviews of 'bona fide' products and services wherever possible, as these tend to be of genuine interest to potential consumers.

A discussion about a more general topic such as the environment, marriage or war inevitably turns our offerings to the site into little more than a one man debating society. However, this particular sub-category caught my eye. Why - you may ask yourself. Not because it is a subject I feel particularly strongly about, but simply my own confusion over the lack of foresight in putting it here with the careless wording and general lack of thought.

So, is boxing a sport or a physical activity? It is quite clearly both of these, and anyone that could dare to argue otherwise is a fool. If the question had instead been re-phrased to try and gain some opinions about whether boxing should remain a sport, and to examine some of the ethical issues that are involved, then I would have perhaps understood where this was going. However, as it stands we have all been led into an unfortunate cul-de-sac that doesn't really guide us towards addressing any issues of genuine importance.

For the record:

sport (spôrt, sprt)
n.

Physical activity that is governed by a set of rules or customs and often engaged in competitively.
A particular form of this activity.
An activity involving physical exertion and skill that is governed by a set of rules or customs and often undertaken competitively.
An active pastime; recreation.

[Dictionary definition courtesy of Dictionary.com]

Boxing has been a popular sport for over a century, and although it produces some of the highest earning sportsmen in the world, as well as some of the most eagerly anticipated eve
nts, there are concerns from many quarters about its viability.

For a start, many people cite the dangers faced by the participants - the boxers themselves. Hurling punches at each others bodies, and in particular each others heads, is bound to cause varying levels of injury. Many boxers have suffered serious injuries, and there have also been instances of boxers that have died in the ring. Thankfully, these unfortunate instances are the exception rather than the rule, but this does not prevent the controversy that the sport takes with it wherever it goes.

Boxing is not alone in the risks that are faced by the participants, as other sports such as Rugby, Horce Racing and Cricket each have their own dangers associated with them. However, boxing hinges upon the pre-meditated intent of one man to strike another and the subsequent dangers that this can cause. Boxers are trained to hit harder and to hurt their opponents more in order to obtain a knock-out.

The key fact to remember about boxing is that the participants have chosen to take part. Boxers have a reputation of not being very intelligent, but they are human beings who are able to make their own minds up as to whether or not they wish to enter a boxing ring. The animals that are involved in cock-fighting or fox hunting are not able to voice their opinions in the same way, and therefore it is understandable that negative opinions are voiced about these more dubious activities. However, a ban on the sport of boxing, as well as being be difficult to implement, would also be completely unjustified.

Debate will continue to rage about the rights and wrongs of boxing. However, it seems unlikely that such a well-established sport, and one which is enjoyed the world over could ever be jeopardised for the sake of a few 'do-gooders' who want to ring boxing's final bell. When it is considered that individuals take part of their own free will, as well there being a set of stri
ngent rules, there doesn't really appear to be much of a case to answer.

I hope that I have managed to bring some important facts to light regarding the sport of boxing, although perhaps the category could be refined in order to bring out a more pertinent discussion of the issues.

{Another original Dooyoo opinion
© Blackjane 2001}

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