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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To really dislike boxing?

99 replies

LawnmowerSpring · 27/02/2023 10:01

I know I’ll get flamed 🙄 but I really dislike the premise of boxing and the fact it’s considered to be a sport (though I can see why it is due to the level of physical fitness needed etc)

The amount of knuckleheads that froth at the mouth every time there’s a big fight. I just find it barbaric that we get so excited about two people punching each other’s heads in. Literally pubs filled up to watch, people having parties at their house to watch. Seems there’s even more excitement when there’s blood pouring off a head etc, it just seems so barbaric in 2023.

In a world where violence on our streets and on TV / Media seems to be ever increasing, why are so many people endorsing this sport?

And no, I’m really not a pearl clutcher in any other aspect of life, but I really hate violence and after seeing my 12 year old nephew at the weekend and him saying that himself and all his friends couldn’t wait to see the Tommy Fury, Jake Paul fight etc, I just think…is this really what we want to be encouraging kids to watch/ aspire to?

OP posts:
GertrudePerkinsPaperyThing · 27/02/2023 10:02

Personally, I don’t like the idea of people (almost always from working class backgrounds) injuring each other for the entertainment of others. ESP the better off. But that might just be me being a total “snowflake”, idk.

OneTC · 27/02/2023 10:03

It won't exist in it's current form for much longer

NellieJean · 27/02/2023 10:04

Professional boxing is absolutely awful. I’ve never understood the appeal. The aim is to render somebody unconscious by hitting their head. The people surrounding it also seem a dreadful bunch.

Nimbostratus100 · 27/02/2023 10:05

It is not a "sport".

How can it be considered a "sport" when the aim is to inflict brain damage?

WandaWonder · 27/02/2023 10:07

I am in two minds, I can see the benefits in actually doing the sport physically I can see the skill and can see how it help with concentration and maybe other things

But to watch people hitting each other and getting enjoyment out of that is weird

I have no desire to have anything to do with it all myself though

Walrussy · 27/02/2023 10:07

It's always left me cold too.

Hellsmovie · 27/02/2023 10:09

Nimbostratus100 · 27/02/2023 10:05

It is not a "sport".

How can it be considered a "sport" when the aim is to inflict brain damage?

That's not the aim lol .

Crabo · 27/02/2023 10:12

Two guys knocking the living daylights out of each other? My DH loves it! It has always happened and we now see far more violent ‘sport’ in MMA but at least DH isn’t interested in that. Men have always fought and it’s a fact of life. Can’t stand women boxing though

Justleaveitblankthen · 27/02/2023 10:15

You are right. I think it's horrible. All spit, blood and sweat.
I don't watch any sport ever (perhaps the odd floor Gymnast in the Olympics, but only if I pass a telly at the time 🤔)
But Boxing? Just no.

drpet49 · 27/02/2023 10:15

NellieJean · 27/02/2023 10:04

Professional boxing is absolutely awful. I’ve never understood the appeal. The aim is to render somebody unconscious by hitting their head. The people surrounding it also seem a dreadful bunch.

This

Pancakes2023 · 27/02/2023 10:21

Yes. I can't stand seeing people intentionally punching and hurting eachother?! There's enough violence in the world already. It's painful to watch but maybe I'm just too sensitive!

fatherfintanstack · 27/02/2023 10:27

I agree. I don't like the violence of it and the injuries/ long term brain damage inflicted. I don't believe that young participants fully understand the risks or the prevalence. It's not like other sports where ok, you could be unlucky and get injured but the aim is not to knock you out.

I find it all so base, the trash talking and huge sums of money involved. Other contact sports at least have sportsmanship and camaraderie. Where is that in calling one another names in the press?

I also feel quite uneasy reading quite regularly about boxing gyms being places of redemption for working class lads going down the wrong path. I've no doubt that those that run such places have the best of intentions and some of it is helpful- discipline, fitness etc. but channelling their time, aggression and energy into what? More violence, just a bit more organised? It doesn't sit well with me.

Sarahcoggles · 27/02/2023 10:31

@Hellsmovie I believe the aim is to render your opponent unconscious, or sufficiently dazed that he/she is unable to continue fighting. Knocking someone out causes brain cell death.

Sarahcoggles · 27/02/2023 10:32

It's disgusting and it should be banned.

Original poster
LawnmowerSpring · 27/02/2023 10:38

Wow, I’m so glad to read these responses. It seems so popular nowadays that I feel like a bit of an anomaly admitting I find it distasteful.

I just don’t see how encouraging violence like boxing does is in any way positive?

OP posts:
Original poster
LawnmowerSpring · 27/02/2023 10:38

fatherfintanstack · 27/02/2023 10:27

I agree. I don't like the violence of it and the injuries/ long term brain damage inflicted. I don't believe that young participants fully understand the risks or the prevalence. It's not like other sports where ok, you could be unlucky and get injured but the aim is not to knock you out.

I find it all so base, the trash talking and huge sums of money involved. Other contact sports at least have sportsmanship and camaraderie. Where is that in calling one another names in the press?

I also feel quite uneasy reading quite regularly about boxing gyms being places of redemption for working class lads going down the wrong path. I've no doubt that those that run such places have the best of intentions and some of it is helpful- discipline, fitness etc. but channelling their time, aggression and energy into what? More violence, just a bit more organised? It doesn't sit well with me.

Completely agree!

OP posts:
Nimbostratus100 · 27/02/2023 10:41

Hellsmovie · 27/02/2023 10:09

That's not the aim lol .

Show quote history

to hit someone hard enough in the head to knock them out is the ultimate aim, so yes, the aim is to inflict brain damage.

Or at the very least hit them hard enough in the head that they are unable to get back up onto their feet.

This is causing brain damage too

The aim is to damage your opponent's brain

It is barbaric and has no place in modern society

Sarah2891 · 27/02/2023 10:44

YANBU. It's awful.

Definitelynotme2022 · 27/02/2023 10:49

Wife of an ex amateur boxer here.....

The worst thing about boxing is watching some you love in the ring. But there's also a huge element of pride there too, because you know just how much it's taken to get there and just how brave they have to be to actually do it. It really isn't for everyone, I couldn't think of anything worse.

The best thing is the massive amount of comradeship and support - it really is like a massive family. And the whole family can be involved. My youngest spent many of his formative years regularly around the boxing club, in the gym and at various functions. It does seem a more working class sport (horrible expression btw), but it actually has a much loftier ancestry if you care to have a Google. It takes a huge amount of dedication - from the whole family! Because I was left with the kids while he trained several evenings a week - didn't leave a whole lot of time for me to do anything. And lastly a massive amount of dedication from the actual boxer. Not just huge amounts of fitness, but also diet.

Would I want my son sparring? No not really, but at 11 he'll have all the protective head gear and be heavily supervised.

Dotjones · 27/02/2023 10:50

The history of boxing shows there is a persistent trend to make it safer. In the ancient Olympics boxers had weights bound to their fists and the match continued until one of the boxers was unconscious. If it took all day, it took all day, and there was a kind of "penalty shootout" if the fight was still going on when it got dark - each fighter took turns to take one uncontested punch at the other. (Incidentally, if you killed your opponent you were declared the loser.)

Contrast that to the sanitized spectacle we have today - thick padded gloves and referees who will intervene and call off a fight the moment someone seems too dazed to continue.

I think this trend will continue, it's inevitable that head protection comes into the professional sport at some point, it will become more like the amateur sport were it's scored on hits landed and knockouts are very rare.

I don't see the appeal but neither do I think it should be banned. If people want to do it, let them, better that it's done in a controlled environment than just out on the street. If boxing is banned, what's next? UFC, rugby, motorcycle racing, cricket, skiing? People die and people get life-changing injuries in all of them. I believe in freedom of choice, people should be allowed to participate in dangerous activities if they understand the risk.

Should we ban flying or travelling by train? Should we ban work? People die in accidents related to these activities all the time.

Alicetheowl · 27/02/2023 10:52

It's not my thing but I can't get worked up about what two extremely well paid adults who know the risks want to do. Maybe there should be a ban until 18 though, when they can weigh up the riskd.

Sarahcoggles · 27/02/2023 10:59

The difference between boxing and other sports is that in most sports getting an injury is a risk. In boxing it's the aim.

Motor racing for example - very risky - but the objective is to drive faster than anyone else, not to run the others off the track so they are too badly injured to drive any more.

Same in football - the aim is the score a goal and prevent the opposition from scoring. That involves making contact with other players, which may injure them - but injuring them is not to objective.

In boxing the aim is to incapacitate your opponent so he/she is either incapable of continuing, or chooses not to. And I don't think that is something we should be encouraging.

Sarahcoggles · 27/02/2023 11:03

One of the other arguments often put forward in support of boxing is that it's a way out of poverty for deprived kids, giving them a focus and a positive channel for their anger and aggression. But I think that's even worse - adding insult to injury. Poor deprived kids need outlets and encouragement, but surely it shouldn't be at the expense of their safety and wellbeing. There are plenty of other sports that don't involve causing or getting serious head injuries.

elm26 · 27/02/2023 11:13

Sarahcoggles · 27/02/2023 11:03

One of the other arguments often put forward in support of boxing is that it's a way out of poverty for deprived kids, giving them a focus and a positive channel for their anger and aggression. But I think that's even worse - adding insult to injury. Poor deprived kids need outlets and encouragement, but surely it shouldn't be at the expense of their safety and wellbeing. There are plenty of other sports that don't involve causing or getting serious head injuries.

I have to disagree with this.

My brother is ADHD and was violent towards younger siblings and parents as a young child.

My Dad put him in Karate and Boxing and the improvement was amazing. He's now 16 and still boxes.

He has a great group of friends, he's respectful and kind towards others, he does well in school, is disciplined in his training and shows no aggression outside of the ring. He wants to be a police officer.

It's been the best thing for him.

Elle087 · 27/02/2023 11:14

Crabo · 27/02/2023 10:12

Two guys knocking the living daylights out of each other? My DH loves it! It has always happened and we now see far more violent ‘sport’ in MMA but at least DH isn’t interested in that. Men have always fought and it’s a fact of life. Can’t stand women boxing though

In what world is MMA more violent than boxing?
So many uneducated people on this thread.