Lunacy Personified ?

[Canary42]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/boxing/57066305

[steps back for the plethora of "character-forming" excuses for this barbaric practice]

[andy-hughes]

pix - // With other sports, danger is a risk- not the intention. //

I'm not sure danger is the intention - I think brain damage is the intention.

Since the observed object of the exercise is, if possible, to render your opponent unconscious, which does carry an element of brain damage, although that may not be serious at the time, a combination of repeated occurrences cannot be good for the recipient.

Failing that, hurting your opponent to the point where he or she is physically damaged to the point where he or she cannot continue, is seen as the next best outcome, and I find it impossible to justify that action as a sport, or as something desirable under any circumstances.

[pixie374]

That's what I meant, Andy. Deliberate harm is the whole idea. Not just an unfortunate risk.

[Apc2604]

I detest bull fighting and fox hunting more strongly than I hate boxing. At least boxers choose to do it. It's up to them. But how it is character forming and good for young boys and girls to take up I will never know. And how people can enjoy watching it beats me.

[emmie]

I enjoyed watching the likes of Nicola Adams box, it was skilful.

[pixie374]

Exactly, apc, it might well be "character-forming", just not the kind of character most people would want to.

[andy-hughes]

APC - // But how it is character forming and good for young boys and girls to take up I will never know. And how people can enjoy watching it beats me. //

I guess it's the same for anything in life - if its appeal remains a complete mystery to you, then trying to understand its appeal to anyone else is always going to be difficult, if not impossible.

I always try and put myself in the mindset of someone who likes and enjoys something I either dislike, or, as in the case of boxing, find utterly repellent and devoid of any redeeming characteristics.

It's difficult, and requires and abstract approach, no-one is ever going to experience the pleasure of something they actively dislike or despise, but understanding something is always good, even if it is highly unlikely ever to change your original perception.

[ToraToraTora]

ok we've done the dance, now I'll give you the answers. Yes I agree boxing and many other combat sports are bad and in an ideal world should be banned. The problem is that whilst it's legal it can be regulated. It still is a way out of a life of crime for many and banning it would simply drive it underground and make it much more dangerous.

[andy-hughes]

TTT - // It still is a way out of a life of crime for many and banning it would simply drive it underground and make it much more dangerous. //

That's not really an argument that stands up in my view.

Legalising heroin would take away its 'underground' status, and prevent lives of crime, but we don't do that either, and that involves a choice concerning only the self, not bashing someone else until they fall over.

[Khandro]

Henry Cooper said of an east-end youth boxing club where he coached, (boys wore head protectors) I can guarantee none of these lads will be out on the streets mugging old ladies.

[ToraToraTora]

do you know what made boxing much more dangerous? The introduction of gloves!

[Mozz71]

Honestly, I don't see why there's a debate. The men and women involved know the risks involved. If they want to risk and early death, pr a debilitating illness in later life, like Ali had, so be it. They're only hurting each other.

[ToraToraTora]

mozz, the nanny state needs to nanny!

[pixie374]

It's not necessarily always that simple though. Sometimes, it isn't always just about the individuals involved, but the general mindset, that generations grow up thinking it's normal. Maybe think long-term as well.

[andy-hughes]

Mozz - // Honestly, I don't see why there's a debate. The men and women involved know the risks involved. If they want to risk and early death, pr a debilitating illness in later life, like Ali had, so be it. They're only hurting each other. //

If you extrapolate that argument, we can stop making riding a motorbike without a helmet on against the law - same logic, same outcome.

How would that be?

As I have pointed out, just because someone can do something does not automatically mean that they should - or that they should be allowed to.

People are individuals, but they live in a framework of society and rules need to be made to suit the majority, even if it does sometimes impinge on the behaviour of a minority.

I am sure there are thousands of bikers who would be happy to risk life and limb and leaving their loved ones bereft for the thrill of riding without a helmet, and cluttering up the wards and morgues of the NHS as they fly into cars, walls and each other.

But personally, I am happy that such an attitude is prevented from prevailing by a law which compels simple common sense to be observed, for the good of society as a whole.

And if a minority don't like it, well, that's the price you sometimes pay for living in a civilised society - nothing ever suits everyone all the time.

[Togo]

But, but, very but ... wimmin have just managed to attract even more attention by taking up boxing. Would banning it be another example of "restricting wimmin's rites" to self determination? Is it more "dangerous" than hate crime? Are any boxers gender confused, are they just angry about it? Is wrestling passing more danerous because it passes covid to the participants? Can they not just have guns and shoot at each other from a safe distance? Can they get their "mates" to shoot with them? Can we have National contests or is it better that everybody joins in? Questions, questions and only PePe to answer them.