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AIBU?

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Original poster

To not understand how boxing is still a 'sport'

95 replies

cherryadeisyummy · 07/08/2021 19:11

People literally punching the living daylights out of each other.

How on earth is this acceptable in modern society?

If I went up to someone and punched them in the face, I'd be arrested and end up in prison. But put it in a ring with some rope around the outisde, and that's fine.

What am I missing?

OP posts:
TrainspottingWelsh · 07/08/2021 22:11

@purpleleotard I'm not convinced the majority of dc do see it as a route to riches, anymore than they do any other sport. It just happens to be a cheap, accessible sport for many.
I am willing to bet I had more horse related injuries before I even reached adulthood than the average child does from boxing. And that's a common experience, because riding is a far more dangerous sport. But nobody clutches their pearls because they are horrified by riding and pity dc at pony club.

PollyPepper · 07/08/2021 22:13

@RJnomore1

You’re missing loads.

The point of boxing is really to avoid being hit and letting your opponent score. It’s immensely disciplined, very strictly regulated (now) and extremely technical. Anyone who thinks they could get on a ring and punch the living daylights out of someone would be demolished.

It requires an amazing amount of athleticism and it’s one of the best sports going.
Hprse riding is much more dangerous as is skiing but Some how I never see people on here bleating how they should be banned. And noone even asks the horses if they want to participate either 🤷🏻‍♀️

Because the overall goal of horse riding and skiing isn't to knock your opponent out. Not that difficult.
TheWayOfTheWorld · 07/08/2021 22:14

@alfagirl73

I do boxing for the fitness element and also to learn it as a skill. I don't fight anyone or spar at the moment and probably won't - although I absolutely understand why someone would want to get in the ring to put their skills and fitness to the test.

Boxing is sooooo underrated and greatly misunderstood as a sport. The training that a boxer goes through is soooooo hard - just an hour of boxing training is a harder workout than anything else I've ever done - although the physical and mental benefits are also magnificent. It is empowering, it keeps your mind sharp, it combines strength with lightness of feet... almost balletic in movement... I have so much respect for boxers - even more so since doing the training myself. People have no idea how much skill and fitness is involved.

Personally I wish I'd had the chance to learn boxing skills when I was younger - I think it is great for kids to learn - they don't have to fight anyone - but learning the sport, doing the training - it teaches skills, discipline, confidence, coordination... and so so much more.

Yes I do too - hardest training I've ever done!
OhWhyNot · 07/08/2021 22:14

It’s disciplined and technical, top boxers are incredibly fit the training is very intense there is an art to boxing. To see it live it’s much faster than it seems on the screen

I can’t watch rugby but appreciate it as a sport

PollyPepper · 07/08/2021 22:14

@imovethestarsforno1

my great grandfather was a professional boxer and then coached his son (my grandfather) went semi pro they both developed dementia and yes the repeated blows to the head probably accelerated this but I still let my 8yo train at our lical boxing gym he loves it and cannot wait till he's 10 and can have a "proper" fight its in his blood and part of his history and I'll he there cheering him on every step of the way
Jesus wept.
SimonJT · 07/08/2021 22:16

Boxing is a very skilled sport.

I play rugby, it isn’t comparable to randomly tackling people in the street, just as dancing doesn’t involve flinging a stranger around on the tube.

Disliking a sport is fine, don’t take part or watch it yourself, but don’t prevent others enjoying it.

Jubbies · 07/08/2021 22:18

* "How on earth is this acceptable in modern society?* "
What I find objectionable is why some people think it's ok to police what other citizens choose to do with their lives. Whether it's a McDonalds once a week, a chocolate biscuit in a bairns lunchbox or boxing, what the fuck has it got to do with anyone else?
We're only on this planet for a blink of an eye and for many people it's shit most of the time.

OhWhyNot · 07/08/2021 22:25

I was lucky to see Prince Naseem fight

His physical and mental agility was just incredible such a skilful boxer it’s not just a natural talent it’s disciplined training

Sparklingbrook · 07/08/2021 22:25

Rugby looks like one giant group brawl to me. Plus the cauliflower ears and there's usually blood too.

I think a nice non contact sport is more my thing.

Mayorquimby2 · 07/08/2021 22:25

"If I went up to someone and punched them in the face, I'd be arrested and end up in prison. "

Fucking hell🤦🤦😂😂

MrsTerryPratchett · 07/08/2021 22:26

Because the overall goal of horse riding and skiing isn't to knock your opponent out. Not that difficult.

Only really in higher weight classes. And I don't like heavyweight boxing.

Crockof · 07/08/2021 22:28

@Jubbies

* "How on earth is this acceptable in modern society?* " What I find objectionable is why some people think it's ok to police what other citizens choose to do with their lives. Whether it's a McDonalds once a week, a chocolate biscuit in a bairns lunchbox or boxing, what the fuck has it got to do with anyone else? We're only on this planet for a blink of an eye and for many people it's shit most of the time.
This is the most sensible post I've read for a long time. This current obsession with corralling people into agreeing the party line is terrifying
andromedana · 07/08/2021 22:29

I disagree. I love boxing, it's extremely technical and incredibly skilful.

andromedana · 07/08/2021 22:31

@RevolvingPivot

Boxing is the only sport I watch. Probably because it's pretty obvious who's winning.
This isn't true. It can often be very difficult to see who's winning. The "winning" fighter can change multiple times during the fight.
CallMeNutribullet · 07/08/2021 22:42

It's one of only two sports where working class men predominantly can excel and there's a huge amount of skill and discipline involved.

Shelddd · 07/08/2021 22:43

It's not different to any other combat sport. Of course you can argue that all combat sports should be banned... but then so should training? If so are we also banning self defence training? And if so do you really believe women shouldn't be able to train to defend themselves?

Also some other sports have much higher injury rates... such as skiing, snowboarding, american football, pretty much every form of racing.

Do you ban them as well?

In your utopia do we all just going to sit around and play badminton?

TrainspottingWelsh · 07/08/2021 22:50

@PollyPepper if you want basic comparisons the overall goal of riding is to remain on top, and preferably in control of half a ton of muscle with a finely tuned flight instinct. Staying upright against an opponent your own size sounds infinitely more sensible.

Then again riding and skiing are considered aspirational sports and boxing is viewed as working class so of course they aren't comparable.

ZingDramaQueenOfSheeba · 07/08/2021 22:50

some PPs have explained it so now you have no excuse to not understand it.
if you still say you don't get it YABVU

I wish I didn't have painful shoulders and was fit enough to do boxing.

Original poster
cherryadeisyummy · 07/08/2021 22:58

@ZingDramaQueenOfSheeba

some PPs have explained it so now you have no excuse to not understand it. if you still say you don't get it YABVU

I wish I didn't have painful shoulders and was fit enough to do boxing.

Yes put me right in my place #eyeroll

And no, I still don't understand it, never will, but feel free to go get punched around in the head until you fall over unconscious. As you were.

OP posts:
ZingDramaQueenOfSheeba · 07/08/2021 23:00

I don't box so don't see what your comment has to do with anything.

stay ignorant then.
YABVU

SchrodingersImmigrant · 07/08/2021 23:07

Maybe if we give boxers pretty leotards and ribbons it would be more acceptable 🤔

TrainspottingWelsh · 07/08/2021 23:16

Maybe if instead of a sport where you just go around punching people in the head at random, we had one which required skill, technique, training etc and had rules and willing opponents it would be more acceptable. We could call it boxing.

Sparklingbrook · 07/08/2021 23:21

But it's all about knocking people out or not able to stand for 10 seconds isn't it? Skill, technique and training in order to render someone else unconscious? That's the aim?
And if nobody manages it it's decided by the ref?

eightyfourandahalf · 07/08/2021 23:27

Have you... even tried it?

Yes, if you can't see anything other than get punched around in the head until you fall over unconscious. stay well away.

I bet most of us are a lot fitter, healthier, and have a better appearance than you do. Funny that.

Theluggage15 · 07/08/2021 23:34

If you don’t understand the difference between punching someone in the street and boxing then there’s literally no point in a conversation.

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