Ban Boxing? (Is boxing worth the risk?)

Member Name: Logan33

Product:	Is boxing worth the risk?
Date:	08/02/09 (164 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Boxing teaches exactley the same principles as more commonly acceptable martial arts like Karate

Disadvantages: It is dangerous,

This is an interesting one because reading a good few of the reviews already on this subject, it looks like people's opinions on boxing is completely split down the middle.

Boxing is really a matter of opinion. On the one hand it is a barbaric sport which centres around two human beings punching each other until the other submits or is outscored - It is brutal. On the other hand it is an incredibly skillful sport which requires strength, power, stamina, agility and speed.

It is almost impossible to protect boxing and suggest it is not anything other than barbaric and I would not try and would almost definitely fail to change someones mind about boxing if they have already forged there opinion on it. However there are a number of misconceptions surrounding the sport which I feel unjustifyably gives it a bad reputation.

Firstly you have to consider the roots of the sport itself. The sport of boxing has its origins in the forms of hand to hand combat derived from the ancient civilizations of Egypt, Greece, and Rome. The earliest forms of "pugilism" (the original term used to describe boxing) arrived on the British Isles when the Romans conquered them in the first century. Now this is a well documented past leading all the way up to what we know boxing to be today. Why do I comment on the history of boxing? Well heres why.

Boxing seems to be the only "hand to hand" combat sport that is routinely demonised by non-boxing fans and the press, yet other sports of a similar nature go completely untouched e.g

Judo
Thai Kickboxing
JuJitsu
Taekwondo
Capoeira
Kendo
Savate
Karate
Wing Chun
Muay Thai

So why is it that despite the violent nature of all these sports, boxing is the one that stands out. Well I believe its down to two main reason, one, its popularity and exposure (people see it more thus make an opinion about it more readily than other martial arts) , and two the fact that all the other martial arts have strong links to culture and in particular religious beliefs. Infact so strong is the entwined nature of martial art and religion, that people actually see some of these sports as appearing "spiritual" in nature.

This for me is where boxing has gone wrong, as its sense of history, culture and own spirituality has been completely lost in its translation from its early greek/egyptian roots. People cannot identify with the sport so they make a decision purely based on its bruttish nature. Karate on the other hand has successfully embeded itself in Japanese culture and thus becomes an acceptable form of violence! Please don't shroud the other sports in there common theme of "self defence" (a convienient cloak to hide its face, that is; its still fighting!)), they are still violent AND boxing is taught in exactley the same way (the ability to defend yourself). If you go to any of the clubs around the country, the kids are taught the discipline and respect that goes with the sport, they are not taught to use their new skills outside of the ring. Of course this can and does happen, but surely it is the individual who has to take responsibility for their actions, not the umberalla of boxing?!

The other leading argument regarding the sport is how dangerous it actually is. Lets make no bones about it, boxing is incredibly dangerous. People are injured beyond repair and in some really sad cases have been killed. Obviously with evidence like this, it supplies all the ammunition you need if you don't like the sport. However there is one question that people never seem to consider. What do the boxers think? they are the ones that go into the ring and take the risks. Do they think its dangerous? Would they ban boxing even when in some cases (e.g Michael Watson) they have been severely injured.

The answer is YES they do think its dangerous and NO they wouldn't ban it. why? because they love doing it. Michael Watson was asked those very questions and I feel his opinion is worth a million to those who just say it should be banned because it is dangerous without really knowing much about the sport.

This was on a BBC Sport Forum:

Question: Do you still feel the same way about boxing as you did before or do you now feel that more has to be done to protect fighters against the risk of serious brain or spinal injury?

"I still love boxing and what has happened to me has happened for a reason. I have been saved so that I can save others. And people like Spencer Oliver and Paul Ingle have benefited from the protection that has been enforced since my accident.

I still go to fights. I went to see Audley Harrison's first professional fight and I would even like to be considered one day as a boxing pundit, God willing".

In summary, boxing is a dangerous sport. Its objective is brutal and people do get hurt. On the flip side, its also an incredibly skillful sport, it teaches discipline and respect (if you don't believe this you have never been to a boxing club) and offers a focus to many kids who don't have it in their lives. If we ban boxing then I would want to see a ban on ALL hand to hand combat sports, anything other than this would be shrouded in hipocracy. last year 3 boxers died in the ring. 5 people died show jumping.

Would enjoy hearing your comments

Regards,

Logan

Summary: love it or hate it, its really a matter of opinion