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by David P. Greisman - GLEN BURNIE, Md. – For one moment, go beyond the gloved combatants in the ring hell-bent on hitting each other as hard as they can and as many times as they can.
Go beyond the simplest of premises and examine boxing, starting from its philosophy and reaching to its periphery, and you will find that it is an institution in conflict with itself.
It is a savage pursuit, this casting aside of humanity for a predetermined amount of time so as to bash and bruise and cut and concuss, and to do this to another man who is not seen as a mortal enemy but merely as a momentary opponent.
It is a scientific practice based on fundamentals of technique and talent and skill and discipline. One must train and work and sacrifice to improve, and one must continue to do so just for a chance to succeed. He must release himself into battling with ruthlessness yet restrain himself by behaving within the rules.
The best must work for years to reach that level. Yet being the best doesn’t always mean others – the promoters who will pay them, the people who will pay to see them – will immediately recognize their talent and reward them for it.
But before there can be the few who find fame and fortune in the professional spotlight, there are those thousands toiling in the ranks of amateur anonymity for free.
There are the trainers at the gyms and clubs and storied holes-in-walls who take kids – many of whom come from troubled homes and neighborhoods – and deliver them into this constructive conundrum: [Click Here To Read More]
Go beyond the simplest of premises and examine boxing, starting from its philosophy and reaching to its periphery, and you will find that it is an institution in conflict with itself.
It is a savage pursuit, this casting aside of humanity for a predetermined amount of time so as to bash and bruise and cut and concuss, and to do this to another man who is not seen as a mortal enemy but merely as a momentary opponent.
It is a scientific practice based on fundamentals of technique and talent and skill and discipline. One must train and work and sacrifice to improve, and one must continue to do so just for a chance to succeed. He must release himself into battling with ruthlessness yet restrain himself by behaving within the rules.
The best must work for years to reach that level. Yet being the best doesn’t always mean others – the promoters who will pay them, the people who will pay to see them – will immediately recognize their talent and reward them for it.
But before there can be the few who find fame and fortune in the professional spotlight, there are those thousands toiling in the ranks of amateur anonymity for free.
There are the trainers at the gyms and clubs and storied holes-in-walls who take kids – many of whom come from troubled homes and neighborhoods – and deliver them into this constructive conundrum: [Click Here To Read More]
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