The Boxing Downside

Originally from a debate on this forum, "Why I quit boxing" by re-born signature Super Lightweight It (boxing) is for sure a lesson in discipline and respect ... in the beginning. For the long run, it breaks you down. Dr. Ferdie Pacheco, famous for working with Ali, has said there isn't such a thing as a boxer without brain damages. If it's visible, and if it's handicap the boxer in his daily life, is more a question of mere chances. Late research into the sport of boxing tells that about +30 % leave this occupation (pro box) with one or another form of (immediate) brain damage that make them unable to function to what we consider to be a normal lifestyle. I myself left this world in the late 1980's as I discovered the boxing world was full of lies. Damaged boxers were hidden in the dark and never referred to again. But I found myself too much a hypocrite to leave this sport for ever. I returned, because I missed the excitement, the pure battle between two men all left by themselves, that you can’t find in any other sports. Plus, it’s never over until it’s over, like Chavez vs. Taylor or Bute vs. Andrade. You don’t find that in any other sports. If the Packers lead by 30-0 goin’ into the 4th quarter, well, then you know that’s it. But never in boxing. That’s why I love boxing. And that’s why I’m a hypocrite, just as all of you other boxing fans. Because, as I has written before, we prefer to have our blinkers on – only seeing what we want to see - and because, we all know blows to the head ain’t healthy in the long run. And that is why we should respect all fighters. They are what they are - tough, brave men – and far from being hypocrites. Bums or champions, they all deserve respect!