The Sport of Boxing Should not Be Banned

Boxing has an immense appeal in many cultures, and attracts enthusiastic fans and participants worldwide. It has been around for many years, and despite its popularity, many have grown to dislike it. Some believe that it’s simply barbaric, and it crosses the line which distinguishes violence from sports. Boxing is a viable athletic pursuit, and those who either participate or merely celebrate the sport should be able to enjoy it.

Boxing is not only a source of entertainment, but it also provides a positive outlet for the participants. Many participants use boxing to control their emotions, and to keep themselves away from temptations such as drugs or alcohol. For example, Source D included a quote from a power puncher named Ms. Cavlovic, who said, “Boxing helped me learn how to control my emotions. You get in there and you’re very afraid, and then all of your training takes over.” Mental health is important as well, and boxers find that “if you keep punching, you learn not to be pummeled by your emotions.” (Source D) Providing a safe and entertaining outlet for the participants is important because if it were banned, “it would be pushed underground and would be incredibly difficult to administer, risking even more injury to fighters.” (Source G) This way, boxing not only helps the participants mentally, but it’s beneficial to their safety, which is a reason as to why it should be viewed as a viable athletic pursuit.

Not only does boxing help control the participant’s mentality, but it also provides important life lessons. “The fights teach many such lessons–about virtues and limits of craft, about the need to impart meaning to hard facts by enfolding them in stories…about getting hurt and getting old..” (Source D) These lessons are important to mold and shape the participant into becoming a better person. Most boxers “are often from underprivileged backgrounds and it provides discipline..” and boxings gives them an opportunity to learn and grow as a person. Boxing also creates a sense of ambition that the participant may not have had before, and banning it would only be detrimental to those who seek out boxing to be more than a sport.

When defending their claim as to why boxing should be banned, most say that “death is an ever-present threat.. many have succumbed to what appears to many to being a needless and preventable death.” However, the participants know the risks of each fight and the consequences. Safety measures have been put in place to ensure each boxer’s safety, and “nobody is pushed into the ring.” (Source G) To say that boxing is nothing but death waiting to happen, is similar to comparing “your possible death tomorrow morning in an automobile accident, or in next month’s headlined airline disaster..” (Source C) Each boxer enters the ring fully aware of the risks, and potential threats that pose. Despite having the threats loom over their head in the ring, the boxers still chose to participate and enjoy themselves. For example, in Source A, Neate had won the fight but still looked upon the loser, Hickman, and said, “Nothing is the matter.. you have lost the battle, but you are the bravest man alive.” Not only are the boxers aware of the consequences, but they also manage to keep good spirits and sportsmanship. Banning boxing because it poses a high threat of death would be illogical because “the risk of injury is no greater than that of athletes participating in other sports.” (Source E) Boxing is an important activity to its participants, and the probability of death is extremely unlikely.

Boxing is a valid activity used by its participants as a healthy outlet. It allows them a place to control their emotions, stay sober, and learn important life lessons. To argue that death is a prominent aspect of the sport, would be unjust because the probability of death is just as great as any other sport. Boxing is a viable athletic pursuit, and the participants and those who enjoy watching it should be able to do so.

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