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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:
Startwithamimosa · 28/02/2023 01:42

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.

This is better articulated than my post. I don't think boxing in itself is bad. Same like martial arts, very skilful and probably both have ethics against violence. Same cannot be said about Rugby, Ice hockey, American football etc

BrightSaturn · 28/02/2023 02:20

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

That’s a shame because Katie Taylor is brilliant to watch.

Meandfour · 28/02/2023 04:19

I love it.

BitOutOfPractice · 28/02/2023 04:22

I hate it too. And MMA which used to be called cafe fighting which seems a better description. Hard to believe it’s still going on really.

Original poster
LawnmowerSpring · 28/02/2023 09:57

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.

I’m so sorry for your family’s loss, that is absolutely awful 💐

Just another indication of how disgusting this ‘sport’ is and how disgusting people are to get excited about it and watch it IMO.

OP posts:
ConcordeOoter · 28/02/2023 10:18

Of course it isn't safe and people can, tragically, die if they accept the risk, and one of the reasons it is a sport for courageous people.

Sports are quite often not safe at all, I don't know why anyone would think that was a requirement. From Rugby to rock climbing to MMA to formula 1 to prop plane racing to ice skating to boxing, risk of injury or death is a part of quite a few sports, and people who would ban sports other people like because there is risk need to realise that's not going to fly.

As for people being "disgusting" for liking boxing, I find certain reality TV shows pretty disgusting, and like risky sports it definitely reflects some baser aspects of the human condition that we like it, but I don't call people as individuals disgusting because they can watch them.. wtf at that.

Puzzledandpissedoff · 28/02/2023 10:49

Quite a relief to see the vote; I'm not a fan of "banning stuff", but with this I make a rare exception for all the reasons already given

The giveaway with those claiming it's a sport is that, when it comes to promotion, it's "the fight". I'd have thought there were enough of those already without glorifying more, but then it's no surprise considering some of the types who are attracted to promoting this

Emmanuelll · 22/08/2024 21:29

I totally agree. Boxers seem to be natural criminals in my experience. Most of them have been to prison it seems.

Foxymoxy68 · 22/08/2024 21:34

Yeah the CEO of Ultra White Collar Boxing is a convicted criminal. Shitshow of an organisation.

MaryShelley1818 · 23/08/2024 08:29

I absolutely loathe it too. Brutal and barbaric, aimed at a certain kind of person too.

Billydavey · 23/08/2024 08:35

Hellsmovie · 27/02/2023 10:09

That's not the aim lol .

Show quote history

What do you think a knockout is?

AllPrincessAnneshorses · 23/08/2024 08:42

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?

You can dislike what you please. Just don't start demanding bans or saying no-one else is allowed to appreciate it.

Riding sports are, as a point of fact, much more dangerous.

AllPrincessAnneshorses · 23/08/2024 08:45

MaryShelley1818 · 23/08/2024 08:29

I absolutely loathe it too. Brutal and barbaric, aimed at a certain kind of person too.

A certain kind of person? Oh, you mean an Oxford scholarship, two degree professional mathematician like my ex-prize-winning boxer DH?
Who, before we get the usual uninformed flak, is nearly 80, fit as a fiddle and sharp as a tack.
Ignorant rubbish.

Edingril · 23/08/2024 08:49

I don't get it but I can see the skill in it and the way it gives troubled teens a focus and can help them in othet ways

But the idea itself makes no sense to me I don't have to get it as I don't do it

More so I don't get this 'I don't get whatever so it should be banned' idea people are free to participate or not

Emmanuelll · 23/08/2024 08:53

Riding sports are, as a point of fact, much more dangerous.

Rubbish. They wear helmets to protect their heads.

CuttySarcasm · 23/08/2024 08:54

Whenever you go to the hospital with suspected concussion they always say the danger factor is if you’re knocked out. So to deliberately do that to someone when you know the horrific consequences on the brain, I think is crazy in 2024.
The amount of boxers with brain conditions now in their 40s/50s/60s would surely put people off?
There’s a group of rugby players looking to sue the RFU around their head injuries, I wonder if boxing has it coming down the road as well…

Emmanuelll · 23/08/2024 08:57

They definitely do get brain damage. Isn't that thought to be the reason why Mike Tyson decided to bite his opponents ear off?

Thuggish behaviour leads to more thuggish behaviour. People should not be advocating giving each other brain injuries in 2024.

Bellatrixpure · 23/08/2024 08:59

I agree, I can’t stand it either.

I always think the people who enjoy it were the kids at school who would get excited at a fight in the playground and crowd round

neverbeenskiing · 23/08/2024 09:03

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.

I completely agree with you.

I work with children in a Safeguarding role and there are also developing concerns around kids from low income households being groomed into criminal exploitation at Boxing gyms/clubs.

Readandsew · 23/08/2024 09:08

So pleased to see so many others have this view. I have never been able to understand how for boxing, and now MMA as well, that two people can get paid to undertake a spectacle that if it happened on the streets outside the venue they would be arrested...

FinalInstructionstotheAudience · 23/08/2024 09:08

why has this been resurrected?

LokiCroc · 23/08/2024 09:12

I hate it too and my Grandad was a champion boxer in his day. In retirement he coached a local club (v working class town), he absolutely loved it. Despite being a 5ft 75yr old man and I think a featherweight in his prime, he loved sparring in the ring with the local undesirables tough lads and showing them a thing or 2.

So whilst I see the benefits of giving the lads discipline and training and something to work towards, at the end of the day it's still violence, they are still hitting (and swerving) each other.

Emmanuelll · 23/08/2024 09:58

LokiCroc · 23/08/2024 09:12

I hate it too and my Grandad was a champion boxer in his day. In retirement he coached a local club (v working class town), he absolutely loved it. Despite being a 5ft 75yr old man and I think a featherweight in his prime, he loved sparring in the ring with the local undesirables tough lads and showing them a thing or 2.

So whilst I see the benefits of giving the lads discipline and training and something to work towards, at the end of the day it's still violence, they are still hitting (and swerving) each other.

There is this whole bravado thing isn't there. I am shocked at people letting children box, too when their brains are still developing.

RosiePerfume · 23/08/2024 10:01

They used to teach boxing in schools

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