Originally posted by Big Dunn
View Post
My view is that the degree of harshness with which infractions of the rules of any sport are to be dealt with should be calibrated with due considerations towards the standards of penalties that exist in society at large where the dictum, "The punishment should fit the crime" is followed.
Margarito was suspended because of pads that can prejudice the health of his opponent in degrees of intensity that may be beyond the prejudice that is inherent in the sport. However, it must be noted that boxing, by the very nature of its being a contest of skills, is both offense and defense, on both sides. Margarito's opponent therefore had the chance and ability (as a trained professional, he is expected to possess the ability) to defend himself.
On the other hand, an ex-convict, or perhaps a convict on parole, whose previous crime involved the use of lethal instrument, constitutes a threat to defenseless individuals.
It is clear therefore which offense is graver.
Be that as it may, I go back to my original post in which I said that I cannot see how Pacquiao-Margarito can be bad for boxing, or Pacquiao be bad for boxing by fighting Margarito, given that boxing has been hosting former convicts and current convicts all through the decades without suffering for its generosity.
Boxing has provided a chance to former convicts that few other sport, if any, has provided. Rather than be damaged by its doing so, it has been lauded.
It may be in order for it to be just as compassionate towards its own, which is not saying that Margarito should get off lightly. Again, the punishment should fit the crime.
There are such things are various degrees of murder, then there are such things as attempted murder, frustrated murder, etc.
As for your mention of drugs as a violation of rules, I do think that drugs do not pose a direct threat to anyone other than the user and therefore cannot be compared to the possession of deadly weapon or Margarito's pads. Drug use has its own scale of punishment, as is only proper.
Just my view, of course.
Comment