Is boxing really an art form?

[Orion]

Or is it really about one big fight, a war between two combatants?
I say this because some fans would have boxing reduced to a dance routine where an opponent who looks the best in ducking shots get the most applause. Never mind if his offense is lacking, or plays it too safe.
I think that the world's premier fighting sport should be so much more than that. Why should we take the fight out of boxing and relegate it to a mere chess match? People love to watch boxing because it best approximates a war between two contesting en******, with all its drama and excitement. People see boxing not so much for the technical skills of the combatants but HOW they use those skills, how they risk some to give some, and how they deliver telling blows on the other. People obviously didn't come to watch boxers dance (leave that to the pretty dancers), run (leave that to the Olympics), or massage the other guys face and body (leave that to the local spa). They came here for the blood and guts, balls-to-the-wall confrontations that they need to witness first-hand, which boxing inherently promises to give. That's why they pay hard-earned money to watch a fight. Anything less than that is a robbery, and comes up short of the valid expectations of a paying fan.

Agree?

[BrooklynBomber]

Boxing is a performance art, but cute shoulder rolls, ducks, and footwork are just a cute frame. The punches landed is the substance of this artwork.

[siablo14]

are u one of those persons u describe? if so why do like bhop?

[Sin City]

Or is it really about one big fight, a war between two combatants?
I say this because some fans would have boxing reduced to a dance routine where an opponent who looks the best in ducking shots get the most applause. Never mind if his offense is lacking, or plays it too safe.
I think that the world's premier fighting sport should be so much more than that. Why should we take the fight out of boxing and relegate it to a mere chess match? People love to watch boxing because it best approximates a war between two contesting en******, with all its drama and excitement. People see boxing not so much for the technical skills of the combatants but HOW they use those skills, how they risk some to give some, and how they deliver telling blows on the other. People obviously didn't come to watch boxers dance (leave that to the pretty dancers), run (leave that to the Olympics), or massage the other guys face and body (leave that to the local spa). They came here for the blood and guts, balls-to-the-wall confrontations that they need to witness first-hand, which boxing inherently promises to give. That's why they pay hard-earned money to watch a fight. Anything less than that is a robbery, and comes up short of the valid expectations of a paying fan.

Agree?

excellent fokin post. good k.

[tyson]

Boxing is a highly sophisticated art form.

The skill level of a world class boxer is so advanced you wouldn't believe it until you tried fighting one.

If anyone think they might get lucky against a world class boxer, they're just ******.

[ExecutiveOutlaw]

whats your definition of art? some people see a photo of a trash can, a bunch of boxes glued to each other, or some incoherent scribbing as art

art is entirely subjective, and is really in the eye of the beholder

[Verstyle]

It's an art form cause no ******* can't just come in with no boxing experience and expect to kick everyone's ass cause they can punch hard.

[Orion]

are u one of those persons u describe? if so why do like bhop?

B-Hop isnt boring to me.

[Killa Cam]

its usally a "artform" wen a underdogg beat tha fav imo by a display of outsmarting tha overall better opponent...other than that its a game of skill an physical stature, a war like u put.

[!! Shawn]

Or is it really about one big fight, a war between two combatants?
I say this because some fans would have boxing reduced to a dance routine where an opponent who looks the best in ducking shots get the most applause. Never mind if his offense is lacking, or plays it too safe.
I think that the world's premier fighting sport should be so much more than that. Why should we take the fight out of boxing and relegate it to a mere chess match? People love to watch boxing because it best approximates a war between two contesting en******, with all its drama and excitement. People see boxing not so much for the technical skills of the combatants but HOW they use those skills, how they risk some to give some, and how they deliver telling blows on the other. People obviously didn't come to watch boxers dance (leave that to the pretty dancers), run (leave that to the Olympics), or massage the other guys face and body (leave that to the local spa). They came here for the blood and guts, balls-to-the-wall confrontations that they need to witness first-hand, which boxing inherently promises to give. That's why they pay hard-earned money to watch a fight. Anything less than that is a robbery, and comes up short of the valid expectations of a paying fan.

Agree?

It is an art. In fact, Id be willing to bet money that you could get an artsy performance place to let you put on a shadowboxing exhibition as a form of dance.