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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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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:

stellaisabella · 07/08/2021 23:45

@Theluggage15

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

This. What a bloody ridiculous analogy op.

uktrippin · 08/08/2021 00:24

You asked what you were missing and you were told. Still didn't take any of it on board.

Which sports do you like OP?

imovethestarsforno1 · 08/08/2021 06:24

@PollyPepper "jesus wept" is not really a hugely convincing argument. I only speak from personal experience and my professional knowledge of dementia. There is a link between concussion and dementia however the research has compared the injury levels to a footballer heading the ball repeatedly during training or tackles in rugby. i do belive its a classist thing as historically boxers came from poorer backgrounds my mother was a professional ballet dancer and danced from the age of 3 she is now riddled with arthritis and in constant pain but its ok because ballet looks pretty

GreatAuntEmily · 08/08/2021 07:05

It's not 'normal' in this day and age.

People are soooo civilised these days - but they're not - take a quick look online, child porn, misogyny, racism, then there are the wars, terrorism .... boxing is at least controlled a controlled fight which all in all does little harm

ragged · 08/08/2021 07:24

If beating up other people for sport is wrong, the I don't see how we can keep wrestling, Tae Kwon Do , Judo... in the Olympics. All the martial arts would be out, wouldn't they. Fencing suddenly looks quite dodgy too.

Honestly the skateboarding & BMX racing scare me hugely more, and make me question WTF. Should we encourage 11 yr olds to do this??

Sparklingbrook · 08/08/2021 07:30

Maybe take out the other people and have sports where you beat yourself unconscious?

Ylvamoon · 08/08/2021 07:46

I really believe that sports like boxing and martial arts have a place in our society.
It teaches discipline and how to control anger/ aggression. Some people need this type of outlet - it's part of human nature.

Spanielstail · 08/08/2021 07:55

I have to say I thought this the other day. Im sorry but I judge people who want to watch other humans fighting one another. It might be controlled but you are punching and kicking someone for entertainment.

In skiing you might fall and twist a knee but that is a secondary accident to the sport whereas boxing you are trying to sit someone.

It feels like the dark ages for people to sit around and watch it. Even more so the cage fighting type engagement.

LadyEloise1 · 08/08/2021 07:57

As I wrote in a previous post, I don't understand how hurting another human being is a sport and can't watch it but I'm delighted Kellie Harrington won her gold medal.
Her day job is a carer in a hospital.
Incongruous really

felulageller · 08/08/2021 08:09

Did you not see what happened to Connor Fields in the BMX race final? Brain hemorrhage and broken ribs. Boxing is nowhere near as dangerous as that. Or before the Olympics the skateboarder Skye Brown fractured her skull in training. There are loads of dangerous sports, ban them all??

Raskolnikov84 · 08/08/2021 08:23

What are you missing?

In a word: consent.

And on the topic of whether boxing should be "acceptable in a civilised society", there is little less civilised that forbidding grown and consenting adults from engaging in an activity to which they have mutually consented. That displays a chilling level of authoritarianism, wholly at odds with a free and civilised society.

Forced to choose between the 18 stone boxer with an unblemished record of placing his opponent on the canvas, and the meddling curtain-twitcher lobbying to ban the former's chosen profession, I know to whom I would turn if I wished to have a civilised discussion.

Muggee · 08/08/2021 08:24

I'm not a fan personally so I don't watch it.

But it takes a lot of skill, dedication, and as other have said, isn't comparable to punching someone in the street. As long as nobody is being forced to take part, I don't see the issue.

Spanielstail · 08/08/2021 08:25

Brain hemorrhage and broken ribs. Boxing is nowhere near as dangerous as that. Or before the Olympics the skateboarder Skye Brown fractured her skull in training. There are loads of dangerous sports, ban them all??

It's not about the risk of harm so much as the desire to punch another human.

It's a classless, barbaric thing to do and watch.

Matildatoldsuchdreadfullies · 08/08/2021 08:32

The aim of boxing is to give your opponent brain damage - because that’s what a KO entails.

I don’t understand why there isn’t a ‘below the neck’ rule. That way, you’d still have all the skill involved, without the short and long term risks of brain damage.

SchrodingersImmigrant · 08/08/2021 09:04

It's not about the risk of harm so much as the desire to punch another human.

Most people have that desire sometimes... 🤷🏻

StrawberryLipstickStateOfMind · 08/08/2021 09:05

It's a classless, barbaric thing to do and watch.

I never really watch boxing, apart from the olympics. I saw the interview Lauren Price did with Prince William and thought what an amazing woman she is. She had a tough start in life, she was brought up by her grandparents, and she has excelled at football, kickboxing, and boxing.

I watched her semi final and her final and the last thing it looked to me was classless and barbaric. It was disciplined, tactical, and controlled, with a huge amount of skill.

I'm delighted for her, I think hers is one of my favourite medals of the games.

MrsTerryPratchett · 08/08/2021 15:34

@Matildatoldsuchdreadfullies

The aim of boxing is to give your opponent brain damage - because that’s what a KO entails.

I don’t understand why there isn’t a ‘below the neck’ rule. That way, you’d still have all the skill involved, without the short and long term risks of brain damage.

Sometimes there is. DH is a black belt and when they didn't have another at a tournament they placed him with a red belt and no kicks above the chest were allowed.

Pretty civilised for classless Neanderthals.

Classica · 08/08/2021 15:36

@LadyEloise1

As I wrote in a previous post, I don't understand how hurting another human being is a sport and can't watch it but I'm delighted Kellie Harrington won her gold medal. Her day job is a carer in a hospital. Incongruous really

I am delighted for her. Seems such a lovely person as well as a great sportswoman. Watching her during the medal ceremony and the scenes of celebration from her community would bring a tear to a glass eye.

SchrodingersImmigrant · 08/08/2021 18:37

You should all aspire to be classless. 😁

Polkadots2021 · 08/08/2021 18:41

@cherryadeisyummy

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?

Not being facetious whatsoever when I give this answer (I've worked in sports coaching forever).

You asked what you're missing:
Sport is based completely on codified rules and regulations which you follow to the letter or you get disqualified. Your example about punching someone in the face is equal to someone starting to try to perform a gymnastic routine on your local bus.

Amateur boxing (I watch a lot of youngsters as we have boxing clubs near me) is statistically one of the safest sports there is because of first aid, headguards, points for contact not for force, etc.

Boxing is a great sport, lots of other sports have insane injury rates. If you don't like it fine but please dont stop others.

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