Should Professional Boxing be Banned? Or modified?
A touchy subject, particularly for those that are die hard fans. I've been called more than a few expletives by those who are fans for even thinking out loud about this. I am no longer much of a boxing fan but I can still appreciate the tremendous skill and hard work that it takes to make it in what is probably the most grueling (and corrupt...different article) sport around. Where my perspective has significantly shifted is in the area of concern and safety of the fighters.
Few things are more electric than a big fight. I was as attracted to the violence as anyone else. Something happened as I got older. I no longer would marvel at the precision of a combination that puts an opponent on the canvas but started to see someone who subjected themselves to such violence for no reason other than they probably felt like this was the only option they had to make something of their life. That saddened me immensely. Fans look at the high incomes a very small percentage of fighters earn think 'wow'. But how many think, is it worth it? I forget where I read it but a a journalist once wrote, " If you want to see who is on the bottom of the socio-economic spectrum, look at who is boxing. It's exploitation." When children first get into competing and playing sports, it is so much fun. Being able to release that energy, building camaraderie, achieving goals, developing discipline etc are all productive elements. With boxing however, it is not fun. Ask anyone who has boxed for reasons outside of just trying to get in shape and they will tell you it is not fun. The training is grueling. Getting pounded on is not fun. Getting knocked out is not fun. Sure, if your Floyd Mayweather and no one can touch you, that part of it may be fun but that is not the case too many fighters.
I don't believe boxing should be banned, I do however believe that something needs to be done to protect the fighters. Every professional sports league has the athletes safety in mind except boxing. Fights have been reduced from 15 to 12 rounds but so much more needs to be done. How would fans react to pro fights being reduced to less rounds and having pros wear headgear? I think that would be a good start. Concussion protocol? That may as well be alien speak. Too many fans are so enthralled by the immediate violence they are either unable or unwilling to see the damage done let alone the situations that lead to someone choosing to become a fighter. There are a select few fighters who seem healthy after retirement but that is not the norm. Statistics about how much NFL players are suffering some sort of disability after retirement are numerous but finding similar stats on retired fighters are harder to come by.
As with everything else, it seems that proactive measures are seldom an option when trying to avert certain catastrophes. Only after something tragic happens do regulators make changes. Let's hope that people start thinking more about boxers health and well being sooner rather than later.
Next......Professional Wrestling
Few things are more electric than a big fight. I was as attracted to the violence as anyone else. Something happened as I got older. I no longer would marvel at the precision of a combination that puts an opponent on the canvas but started to see someone who subjected themselves to such violence for no reason other than they probably felt like this was the only option they had to make something of their life. That saddened me immensely. Fans look at the high incomes a very small percentage of fighters earn think 'wow'. But how many think, is it worth it? I forget where I read it but a a journalist once wrote, " If you want to see who is on the bottom of the socio-economic spectrum, look at who is boxing. It's exploitation." When children first get into competing and playing sports, it is so much fun. Being able to release that energy, building camaraderie, achieving goals, developing discipline etc are all productive elements. With boxing however, it is not fun. Ask anyone who has boxed for reasons outside of just trying to get in shape and they will tell you it is not fun. The training is grueling. Getting pounded on is not fun. Getting knocked out is not fun. Sure, if your Floyd Mayweather and no one can touch you, that part of it may be fun but that is not the case too many fighters.
I don't believe boxing should be banned, I do however believe that something needs to be done to protect the fighters. Every professional sports league has the athletes safety in mind except boxing. Fights have been reduced from 15 to 12 rounds but so much more needs to be done. How would fans react to pro fights being reduced to less rounds and having pros wear headgear? I think that would be a good start. Concussion protocol? That may as well be alien speak. Too many fans are so enthralled by the immediate violence they are either unable or unwilling to see the damage done let alone the situations that lead to someone choosing to become a fighter. There are a select few fighters who seem healthy after retirement but that is not the norm. Statistics about how much NFL players are suffering some sort of disability after retirement are numerous but finding similar stats on retired fighters are harder to come by.
As with everything else, it seems that proactive measures are seldom an option when trying to avert certain catastrophes. Only after something tragic happens do regulators make changes. Let's hope that people start thinking more about boxers health and well being sooner rather than later.
Next......Professional Wrestling
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