Show me the discipline!

Recently, I came to the conclusion that years of boxing could have both positive and negative effects on the brain. Excluding the damage that can occur when a boxer has been repeatedly punched hard in the head for 15-20 years, boxing is going to become interwoven into the neural fabric and reflect an aggressive history; the question being has this conditioned the boxer to be in control when faced with aggressive stimuli (keeping a cool head), or has it simply made them more reactionary? This week seems to demonstrate the latter. Dereck Chisora, the British heavyweight who recently had a commendable loss to the WBC heavyweight champion, Vitali Klitschko, is clearly a very aggressive and somewhat remorseless individual (I am yet to see any indication that he regretted assaulting his girlfriend late in 2010, in fact his response at a press conference before he was due to fight Wladimir Klitschko, when Wladmir commented on the quality of a man who hits a woman, Chisora responded by trying to denigrate Wladimir’s girlfriend (Press Conference). But still, you can’t use the behavior of one boxer when considering if boxing has a disciplining effect on those who practice. The only trouble is that Chisora isn’t the only boxer who has recently been accused of assault; so have Oscar De La Hoya and Floyd Mayweather. So what does it mean for a boxer to say that boxing is a way to discipline oneself? Assault is either carried out as a reaction to a (perceived) harmful stimulus, or it is used as a means to gain control for a particular end (money/respect/sexual domination/revenge). The difference between these two types of aggression is control. This raises a serious problem, because if boxing disciplines (which puts a boxer in control of reactive aggression), then their assaults are more likely to be planned and callous attempts to achieve a particular goal. Another strike this week against boxers being in control came from the Welsh up-and-coming Nathan Cleverly, who defends his WBO Light Heavyweight belt against American Tom Karpency tomorrow in Wales. Cleverly has recently commented on the Chisora-Haye debacle by promising to be a model boxer, but he also made a surprising comment that almost appears to be a back-handed slap towards boxing: “Fighters are fighters, they are naturally aggressive and in the heat of the moment can flip out. So it’s important security is stepped up.” This remark, while on the one hand is not surprising, on the other hand it is. Fighting is aggression, and fighting is also violence, so to become a skilled fighter is to become skilled in the use of physical aggression and violence. But the difference between being able to use skilled aggression and being aggressive surely brings us back to the problem of control? As a boxing fan, I hope this distinction exists. Any thoughts?

Comments (6)

Starting a thread/post BY THE WAY, Does any know how to start a thread, if so please fill me, t'would be appreciated.

14y ago

iodom03

How about neither? They're the same people they would have been if they had not boxed. The Klitschkos/Cottos would still be controlled, the Tysons/Chisoras would still be crazy. hmm, cant really agree here. As I see boxing or learning how to box as an experience, where different mental and physical skills are taught. IMO Experiences can change people.

14y ago

jaycuzey

@Rockin: You said that knowing you can fight gave you confidence and control. Do you think that control extends to you automatically keeping a low and calm heart rate (whereas a non fighter's heart might start to increase in pace), or do you think the control is just you realizing the guy is a major dooshbag, does not represent a threat, and therefore there is no need to worry? @I'm so sorry: As experienced boxers can laugh off a punch and therefore remain in control when assaulted/offended, do you think it is less excusable for a boxer or a fighter to get involved in domestic abuse?

14y ago

Weebler_I

The question being has this conditioned the boxer to be in control when faced with aggressive stimuli (keeping a cool head), or has it simply made them more reactionary? How about neither? They're the same people they would have been if they had not boxed. The Klitschkos/Cottos would still be controlled, the Tysons/Chisoras would still be crazy.

14y ago

iodom03

being a fighter makes what would seem to be an intense situation to the populous just another encounter. first, knowing that you are more than capable of defending yourself will keep you calm and collected. when the adrenaline gets pumping its harder to refrain yet I havn't hit somebody with a bare fist since I was like 9 or 10 years old. Knowing that I could fight kept me confident yet controlled. I haven't had to fight, if I was ever forced into a fight on the street I am certain that I would end up with a criminal record. chisora is just a classless douchebag..........Rockin':boxing: I agree, Aggressive as it is, Boxing is still a sport. And sport shouldnt involve the type of behaviour chisora and Haye displayed. In my opinion, we use controlled aggression in sport. And this aggression should be used without breaching the rules of whichever sport one is participating in. Chisora, and Haye didnt do this, their behaviour was unsporting, unsafe and left a bad image on the sport of boxing. In my opinion athletes are entitiled to participate in sport safely, I taught chisora's behavior was very dangerous, and illgeal. Spitting and the physical assault (Slapping Klitschko at the weigh in) were unacceptable. IMHO He should be banned. The behaviour Chisora displayed was of a thug, and not of an athlete, and there is no place for this in boxing. Sorry to get off the point but yes, I agree with you, boxing should instill discipline and usually does. I think its impossible to link chisora's, mayweather's, or whoever else is involved in assault or illegal behaviour cases to boxing or to being a boxer. Just my own opinion.

14y ago

thuggery

I think they can. Newbies probably get more frustrated when they get hit with repeated flush shots as opposed to boxers who have been in the game longer. They also probably fuel the anger into their punches which causes them to miss wildly. Notice how when fighters like Mayweather or Margarito get hit with a shot, they smile and laugh it off? Or they shake their heads like "nope you can't hurt me." Even Pacquiao sometimes put his arms up when he gets hit. I don't really know if this is relevant to your question but that's what I think.

14y ago