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AIBU?

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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:
OopsAnotherOne · 27/02/2023 14:46

I agree OP, and I'm a kickboxer!

Boxing/kickboxing/MMA are fantastic sports for fitness and skill, but I only hold this view for training, sparring and the fitness side of things. I can't bring myself to watch or participate in contact fights because the risk is insane. Boxing is a "sport" in terms of the physical work, skill and training required to learn the discipline and when training on punchbags or pads I see no issue with this. Boxing also has a heavy focus on fitness training which is always beneficial.

I train in a women's only kickboxing group which is focused around fitness, self defence and enjoying ourselves and none of us fight professionally or in contact training sessions. It just allows me the confidence to know that if I ever got into the situation where I had to fight to defend myself, I'd have more of a chance of being able to. I made sure I joined a group that was this way inclined, rather than one which encouraged or allowed any sort of contact fighting.

Contact fights make me squirm to think about, the fact that someone gets hit in the head repeatedly, sometimes to the point where they're knocked out, is so dangerous. There was a man in the town I lived in who was killed outside a pub from one punch, any impact to the head can cause serious brain damage and seeing people repeatedly punch each other in the head while being cheered on is so sad. Your brain can only take so many concussions and looking at the state of some of the older and retired boxers just demonstrates the damage over time that boxing can cause to your brain.

Boxing is less dangerous than it used to be but it still has a long way to go. It's the same with headers in football, tackles in the NFL etc, any contact sport which risks a head injury is a recipe for disaster - don't get me started on the barbaric "sport" that is bare knuckle fighting.

AllDayBreakfast92 · 27/02/2023 14:52

The truth is that boxing would greatly improve the physical fitness of most people. It's only at the high end that they take thousands of hard shots to the head. Unless you're competing you'll generally not have people punching you full power.

AllDayBreakfast92 · 27/02/2023 14:55

don't get me started on the barbaric "sport" that is bare knuckle fighting.

It's actually safer than boxing with gloves as you can't generally whale people around the head without risking breaking your metacarpals/knuckles. Old school bkb mainly involved body shots. It's the bludgeoning with gloves that causes the brain shake.

OopsAnotherOne · 27/02/2023 15:00

AllDayBreakfast92 · 27/02/2023 14:55

don't get me started on the barbaric "sport" that is bare knuckle fighting.

It's actually safer than boxing with gloves as you can't generally whale people around the head without risking breaking your metacarpals/knuckles. Old school bkb mainly involved body shots. It's the bludgeoning with gloves that causes the brain shake.

Makes perfect sense and I'm sure you're correct, but I've seen a couple of BK fights in person and that was enough for me - there was so much more blood and I wasn't expecting it. I'd imagine I'm being a bit "pearl clutchy" and I know the head bleeds more than most body parts, but I just can't get onboard with it. But what I do is I simply don't partake in it myself, I wouldn't try and stop someone who wanted to.

Hyperion100 · 27/02/2023 15:10

Boxing clubs are doing great work in communities. My local gym is brilliant. They are taking kids off the streets, promoting strong anti gang messages, giving the kids discipline and something to strive for.

AllDayBreakfast92 · 27/02/2023 15:18

Hyperion100 · 27/02/2023 15:10

Boxing clubs are doing great work in communities. My local gym is brilliant. They are taking kids off the streets, promoting strong anti gang messages, giving the kids discipline and something to strive for.

It's a good reason not to drink/smoke etc, and one that young males may actually want to pursue. Most young lads I've met that can actually fight well don't want to do it on the street. They've got less to prove as they already know they can look after themselves.

Oblomov23 · 27/02/2023 15:25

Ds1 did boxing training and more calories are needed, more food ti be eaten (which he liked!) than most other sports, other than rowing, because of the intensity. The sense of brotherhood and family was nice. He was so disciplined and so incredibly fit, he enjoyed it. I wouldn't want him taking it up professionally. They did karate and judo at his school too, and he liked the discipline of both of those previously too.

Foxymoxy68 · 27/02/2023 15:49

My 26 year old nephew died last year following a charity boxing match. He collapsed at the end of the 6 minute fight and never regained consciousness. It was only ever going to be a one off for him- a personal fitness challenge and raising money for Cancer Research. We have been utterly broken by it. Boxing isn't safe and the 'organisation' who arrange these bouts isn't regulated. I can't even hear the word 'boxing' without feeling upset. I can't say much more as there is going to be a 6 day inquest later in the year but it's safe to say I've never liked boxing and I can't bear it now.

Nimbostratus100 · 27/02/2023 16:19

Timesawastin · 27/02/2023 14:35

Don't be ridiculous. The point is to score points (judges decision) or get a KO, which means on the floor for a ten count.
DH was an amateur boxer for years in his youth. Still sharp as a pin in his late 70s.
Pro boxing I'm less keen on as money encourages risk. But if you want a really dangerous sport, try racing over jumps.

Show quote history

KO means knocked out, which means a brain injury.

That is the aim of the game

SinnerBoy · 27/02/2023 16:57

Hellsmovie · Today 10:09

How can it be considered a "sport" when the aim is to inflict brain damage That's not the aim lol .

I'm a former amateur and it absolutely is the aim, even stunning someone will cause some brain damage, even if it's not evident immediately. You get used to being punched and I once read that you can be unconscious for a second or two, recover your wits and carry on, without losing your feet.

That said, it was my choice, but I didn't let my then 7 year old daughter do full contact sparring, in Kick Boxing Karate. I'm quite glad she prefers Jiu Jitsu.

SinnerBoy · 27/02/2023 16:59

Dotjones · Today 10:50

Contrast that to the sanitized spectacle we have today - thick padded gloves...

They're only sparring gloves, competition gloves have very little padding. I was 13 stone in my first bout (we're not allowed to call them fights!) and the gloves were 6 ounces. It wasn't much above bare knuckle!

MurderAtTheBeautyPageant · 27/02/2023 17:04

You thought you'd get flamed by MNers for saying you strongly dislike boxing? 🤔

MumOf2workOptions · 27/02/2023 17:24

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.

I'm shocked people consider this "family entertainment"
It's disgusting

SinnerBoy · 27/02/2023 17:44

Well, I'm shocked that people find Love Island entertainment!

BorisJohnsonsCumrag · 27/02/2023 17:45

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TooBigForMyBoots · 27/02/2023 18:04

Oysterbabe · 27/02/2023 11:40

I think it's awful and should be banned.
It's outdated and incompatible with a civilised society.

I think it's awful but I disagree that it should be banned.

I have seen the brilliant work boxing clubs do in the community. And to ban it would just be to drive it underground.

Notimeforaname · 27/02/2023 18:10

I love it. Especially watching Katie Taylor box. I get so excited for the fights.

afinishedkiss · 27/02/2023 18:14

Hate it, honestly cannot bear to watch it. I know there has to be some intense training and skill but for 2 people to go into a ring with the sole intention of beating each other until one is knocked out, injured or physically cannot take any more beating is horrific. Hardly any of my friends agree with me however so I am in the minority with my view but it makes me feel sick. Horrible sport.

JustGotToKeepOnKeepingOn · 28/02/2023 00:24

I can't watch it. I think it's completely barbaric.

Lollymop · 28/02/2023 00:30

I think elements are good
boxing and the like gets a lot of angry kids off the streets and training for a discipline, they learn to look after their bodies, they socialise, they focus, they have aims and compete. They direct their anger in a disciplined manner with rules they aren’t allowed to do it on the streets! However I quite agree watching them knock ten bells out each other seems like a horrid thing to do!

i felt for that Timmy fury alwsys get the feelings he kind of has to be there? He doesn’t come across as an angry or violent bloke!

TheObstinateHeadstrongGirl · 28/02/2023 01:23

I used to love watching boxing as a child in the 80’s, it was a family enjoyment and one thing we all agreed we liked!

But these days boxing, and boxers themselves, are overhyped, over indulged and don’t deliver entertainment. Matches over within a nanosecond after a build up that makes it sound like the world is teetering on a knife edge until this fight starts. Totally dull and pathetic, it’s unbearable and full of egotistical losers

ConcordeOoter · 28/02/2023 01:24

To me boxing is quite a beautiful mixture of skill, science, diligent hard work and courage. You have to almost completely master yourself to excel at it to a decent level.

LemonTT · 28/02/2023 01:27

Boxing is actually a great sport and incredibly technical and tactical. I think it could be made safer with rule changes. It’s a really exhilarating sport to take part in.

but I cannot watch it for entertainment and find the idea of watching it for entertainment barbaric. I don’t like watching people getting hit. But that applies to action scenes in movies and on tv.

discobrain · 28/02/2023 01:35

It's shite.

Startwithamimosa · 28/02/2023 01:40

Agree. But rugby is the same. Or motorsport. (As in all can be dangerous). I don't think boxing is inherently violent as it's a biit fighting. I know nothing about it but apparently ice hockey is all about the fights