Does boxing really make you dumber? I'm not trying to insinuate anything about anybody on this site, I'm new (to the site and the sport), and haven't had my first real round yet, so I can't talk about anybody. But you watch the movies like Rocky and look at how people make fun of Evander Holyfield or even Muhamad Ali (I know he has a disease, but I thought it was accelerated because he boxed), and even though I want to fight, I don't want to end up retarded when I'm 40 something. Does it really make you slower, or is it just a matter of A) how hard your being hit, B) how often you get hit, or C)luck/genetics/etc. If it's either A or B I've got serious work to do because even though I'm skinny I don't consider myself to be especially quick/agile when it comes to moving my body to do the nesscary dodging it takes to not get hit.

only if you suck as a boxer.

if you constantly get the **** kicked outta you, then logic tells you that the brain can only take so much.

let me ask, does pro football make you dumber ?

in all seriousness, no. it does not make you dumber. on the contrary, I think it makes you smarter and healthier

Brain damage is a serious concern in boxing. Let's be realistic here. Even if your defense is exceptional, legendary, and you're only getting hit with 10% of your opponent's punches (a ridiculous number made to represent an almost perfect fighter), it still adds up if you have 50 pro fights, 100 amateur fights, and thousands of rounds of sparring.

If you go pro you are gambling with your life and the health of your brain period. Even having an extensive amateur career can be dangerous.

I love boxing and will defend it until my death but this is the truth and something you personally need to come to terms with before you begin to even spar.

Does boxing really make you dumber? I'm not trying to insinuate anything about anybody on this site, I'm new (to the site and the sport), and haven't had my first real round yet, so I can't talk about anybody. But you watch the movies like Rocky and look at how people make fun of Evander Holyfield or even Muhamad Ali (I know he has a disease, but I thought it was accelerated because he boxed), and even though I want to fight, I don't want to end up retarded when I'm 40 something. Does it really make you slower, or is it just a matter of A) how hard your being hit, B) how often you get hit, or C)luck/genetics/etc. If it's either A or B I've got serious work to do because even though I'm skinny I don't consider myself to be especially quick/agile when it comes to moving my body to do the nesscary dodging it takes to not get hit.

repeated blows the head is obiusly not godd.

however if your new and figting ammature i wouldnt worry, ammature boxing is a relativly safe sport.

you hve to get beat the crap out off, often for years to get permenantly punch drunk(dementica pugilistica).

"You must spread some reputation around before giving it to Kid Achilles again."

Some beer comin' your way, bro. :friday:

And actually, Hedrek, this discussion reminds of something my doctor said before checking me out after my first fight. He said,

"Boxing is great for your overall fitness, but lousy for your health."

So true my friend. Not only for the brain, but for your organs as well.

And boxing and drinking together? Go ask Jerry Quarry's ghost.

Well, something not many talk about, but what I learned in boxing is was to think fast and smooth. Yeah, you do get some damage do your brain, especially the ko's which are the classical concussion. But at the same time boxing teaches you to make decisions qquickly and analyze and frightening speed.

And actually, Hedrek, this discussion reminds of something my doctor said before checking me out after my first fight. He said,

"Boxing is great for your overall fitness, but lousy for your health."

lol, my doctor once said that amateur sport makes you healthier, professional sport destroys you. He was right somewhere.

Obviously suffering minor cerebral hemorrhages in sparring and actual fights on a regular basis for years doesn't do one much good, but some of the old timers are just as alert as they ever were. Hard to say sometimes if it is 'dementia puglilistic' or just poor aging like lots of non-fighters, e.g. Alzheimers, etc.

It's definitely genetic. Some guys like Lamotta and Foreman were blessed in this department, and others who took very little punishment still have brain damage.

There is definitely a connection though. No way around it, boxing causes brain damage.

It's definitely genetic. Some guys like Lamotta and Foreman were blessed in this department, and others who took very little punishment still have brain damage.

There is definitely a connection though. No way around it, boxing causes brain damage.

Dain Bramage! :banana:

Huh? What was the question? You talkin' to me? You gotta be talkin' to me. I'm the only one here! Who you callin' dumb, anyway?

"Who you callin' oopidstay?" :thinking:

I can't even spell what you said!

Fatality rates per 100,000 participants

Horse racing: 128
Sky diving: 123
Hang gliding: 56
Mountaineering: 51
Scuba Diving: 11
Motorcycle racing: 7
College Football: 3
Boxing: 1.3


I know this thread is directed towards brain damage, but this might be helpful.

Fatality rates per 100,000 participants

Horse racing: 128
Sky diving: 123
Hang gliding: 56
Mountaineering: 51
Scuba Diving: 11
Motorcycle racing: 7
College Football: 3
Boxing: 1.3


I know this thread is directed towards brain damage, but this might be helpful.

Why isnt skateboarding in there lol

Fatality rates per 100,000 participants

Horse racing: 128
Sky diving: 123
Hang gliding: 56
Mountaineering: 51
Scuba Diving: 11
Motorcycle racing: 7
College Football: 3
Boxing: 1.3


I know this thread is directed towards brain damage, but this might be helpful.


Seen that before and it's bull****. Also, put a shirt on you queer.

Sure its not good. Its a gamble.

I remember my first sparring days, with gear and no gear, big headaches which just didnt feel right.

Also makes you think why some of the big names just fight 2 times a year or 3 these days. I say its a great health move. Gives your body a lot of time to heal.


Comparing boxing fatality rates to other sports is useless.

One doesnt get hurt racing a car around a track, only when they crash they do. And you can manage not to crash your entire career.

Boxing you sustain damage all the time. Its not optional.

Sure its not good. Its a gamble.
One doesnt get hurt racing a car around a track, only when they crash they do. And you can manage not to crash your entire career.

Boxing you sustain damage all the time. Its not optional.

Well said.

However, physically developed amateur boxers have very little to worry about in terms of long term health effects. Professional boxers ofcourse are a much different story...In amateurs you are fighting for three 2 minute rounds, with 16 ounce gloves and headgear against a person with limited skill and with an overprotective ref...Compare that to fighting fighting twelve 3 minute rounds with 8 ounce gloves against a more skilled/experienced opponent and much more lenient ref. Its like night and day if you think about it.

As was touched upon, there is definitely good genetics involved for those boxers who do not suffer brain damage. However I read a study that says most professional boxers with extended careers suffer from some form of brain damage, wether it be visible or not. That was a bit chilling.

Contrary to popular belief, heavyweights are LESS likely to suffer severe brain damage. Due to the fact that less punches are thrown and when something significant lands it could end the fight. Its actually better for your body to be knocked out then to take continual punches.

U look at guys like Wilfred Benitez who is severely brain damaged. He barely got hit in his career but started to box at the age of 5 which is obviously not a great idea. This leads to the fact that WHEN you start to box and how long you do it, also plays a big part in your health risks.

i dont really think you can get brain damage unless its serious hits like ali took or joe frazier (both fought foreman...what a coincidence :D)

because in my gym theres 2 fighters, both 20+ pro fights and theyve gotten hit hard, but are in great health.

ive also met and talked to cuck wepner and he seems normal. like no slurred speech, or brain injury like that.

i dont really think you can get brain damage unless its serious hits like ali took or joe frazier (both fought foreman...what a coincidence :D)

because in my gym theres 2 fighters, both 20+ pro fights and theyve gotten hit hard, but are in great health.

ive also met and talked to cuck wepner and he seems normal. like no slurred speech, or brain injury like that.

Yeah, and Floyd Patterson was in "great health" until it all fell apart on him. Some **** don't show up for a while, man.

yeah, you're right about that.

but if a fighter doesnt fight in years and suddenly gets a problem, its also due to genetics

because in my gym theres 2 fighters, both 20+ pro fights and theyve gotten hit hard, but are in great health.

Its not gonna be apparent until later dog.

Pugilistic dementia develops over a period of years. Studies show that the average time of onset is about 16 years after the start of a career in boxing.

i think boxers that fight in light weights (thta means a lot of speed and lot pof puncehs) have more chances to suffer from brain damage, cause they receive a lot of hits, but heavyweights have chances too, so , its a gmble

i think boxers that fight in light weights (thta means a lot of speed and lot pof puncehs) have more chances to suffer from brain damage, cause they receive a lot of hits, but heavyweights have chances too, so , its a gmble

not only the higher amount off punches but also the fact the every weightclass execpt hw dehydrate to make weight, and the combinataion is dangerous

everyone is different, some ppl like george foreman can take so many punches to the head without showing signs of any damage, while others like this one dude at my gym do show damage. Hes got the body of someone who should be quick as hell but hes been hit so much that his brain doesent have the ability to make it move quickly

Jack Lamotta took a gang of punchs, and theres a video of an interview with him at his older age and he still has his marbles. I think punchs may effect people differntly.

If you have to ask, forget about boxing......

It's no secret getting hammered in the head is bad for the brain. Getting repeatedly pummeled will have consequences. If I were to bump my head on my desk right now, I'd be dumber for it. So Yes, you get "dumber" if thats a huge concern than boxing, and even alot of other contact sports, notably football and hockey probably aren't for you. Haha, but boxing's the worst.

yeah it happens. there are variables of course. your level of involvement, luck, genetics, skill? personally i feel if u want to do n e boxing the less u know about that stuff the better.. dont want to be hesitant in there