Off-Topic: Baby fight club

[Gray-Fox]

Watch this now it's on Channel 4.

[gkt999]

I'm not keen on them fighting so young, not full contact like that. I have a 12 yr old boy who boxes competitively ad a 7yr old and 3 yr old girl that train but I wouldn't even let them box in the Ama's yet they are too young.

[gkt999]

Shit, i didn't realise they could match fights at an age and weight (3kg) difference, jesus christ thats a bit unfair. I know pro's boxers that won't fight at 3kg of a difference even in a catch weight bout ffs.

I'm starting to get the feeling that the parents are trying to live their lives (get some recognicion) through their kids. The parents couldn't beat eggs or have been bullied or unliked themselves so they push their kids to make themselves feel better.

I have 3 kids that all box but its through choice and if they don't want to train or box I wouldn't force them.

[Deserter]

Shit, i didn't realise they could match fights at an age and weight (3kg) difference, jesus christ thats a bit unfair. I know pro's boxers that won't fight at 3kg of a difference even in a catch weight bout ffs.

I'm starting to get the feeling that the parents are trying to live their lives (get some recognicion) through their kids. The parents couldn't beat eggs or have been bullied or unliked themselves so they push their kids to make themselves feel better.

I have 3 kids that all box but its through choice and if they don't want to train or box I wouldn't force them.

Think you're bang on with this Gareth. I found some of the programme profoundly depressing. Some awful parents putting pressure on their kids and putting them down - all about trying to live through their reflected 'glory'. Sad...

[Maelstrom]

That was truly an eye opener.

I am all for kids boxing and taking part in martial arts - and yes competing. But it depends on the people around them and, I hope, you wont see many people in amateur boxing talking to kids like these people were.

Did you see that trainer/dad in the final fight: 'Your f**king hurting him, go out and hurt him some more." The kid was 10.

Then, because of the way they have been moulded, you have the kids celebrating violently and talking about how they are going to buy a house and a pen for their dogs and sitting around in chav caps.

The people around them were utterly lacking in class, particulalry during the fights when they were swearing at the top of their voice.

These competitions should be seen as part of the kids development, an educational process in dedication and respect. That kind of thing can set up a kid for life.

Making the competitions life or death and forcing your kid to train like a scene out of Rocky is completely out of order. The sad thing is, the parents are so oblivious to their actions that they will never change.

[DavidPayne]

I saw the trailer and felt profoundly sick.

Sick to the pit of my stomach. It was child abuse in my opinion.

[Poncey]

I watched Heroes and forgot to record it.

[Deserter]

I watched Heroes and forgot to record it.

Believe me, you're better off not watching it, it would just make you angry and/or sad.
Maelstrom summed it up perfectly regarding the oblivious nature of the parents.
I think boxing/martial arts can be fantastic for discipline and self-confidence, but this was an awful showcase for their worth and will unfortunately tarnish the good work done by lots of trainers/instructors at a grass-roots level with kids.

[bridportboxer]

I think they made you think exactly what they wanted you to think. These young lads don't have the power to hurt each other. Where are the facts that this is dangerous? There were none - How many kids have actually been hurt doing it?
Ok, so there was a bit too much swearing for my liking, but I haven't been to an am boxing show yet where people weren't swearing.
This was made to make people think that combat sports - all combat sports - should be banned, but without giving any facts.

Wouldn't the likes of David Haye have said the same thing as that young lad when he was a youngster - surely it is just what every young sportsman dreams of - being the best.

[Deserter]

I think they made you think exactly what they wanted you to think. These young lads don't have the power to hurt each other. Where are the facts that this is dangerous? There were none - How many kids have actually been hurt doing it?
Ok, so there was a bit too much swearing for my liking, but I haven't been to an am boxing show yet where people weren't swearing.
This was made to make people think that combat sports - all combat sports - should be banned, but without giving any facts.

Wouldn't the likes of David Haye have said the same thing as that young lad when he was a youngster - surely it is just what every young sportsman dreams of - being the best.

With the greatest of respect mate I think you're completely missing the point. I'm not talking about the physical contact (though I do have some reservations over that given the clearly inept refererring, regulations etc).
What I've got a real problem with is kids not being allowed to just be kids and to ENJOY what they do without needless pressure from parents who want to live vicariously through their perceived success.
No young kids should be told they are sh*t or that they're useless, least of all by those that are meant to care most for them.
It's no different to the problem we face in football - while the likes of the Dutch groom their kids on ball skills and love of the game, we've got parents fighting on the sidelines, hassling referees and putting huge pressure on their kids to win at all costs instead of just enjoying playing the game. The result is that at adult level there's a big disparity in terms of skill.

[yiddo14]

The fat, loudmouth, bottle job parents should be forced to get in the ring and see how they like it.

Parents who try living thier dreams through their children....?

Sad, sad people.

I didn't actually see the programme, but I can imagine the parents are the type that confuse being a loud mouth, with a beer gut, tattoo's and a skinhead with being a hard nut

[bridportboxer]

I think they made you think exactly what they wanted you to think. These young lads don't have the power to hurt each other. Where are the facts that this is dangerous? There were none - How many kids have actually been hurt doing it?
Ok, so there was a bit too much swearing for my liking, but I haven't been to an am boxing show yet where people weren't swearing.
This was made to make people think that combat sports - all combat sports - should be banned, but without giving any facts.

Wouldn't the likes of David Haye have said the same thing as that young lad when he was a youngster - surely it is just what every young sportsman dreams of - being the best.

With the greatest of respect mate I think you're completely missing the point. I'm not talking about the physical contact (though I do have some reservations over that given the clearly inept refererring, regulations etc).
What I've got a real problem with is kids not being allowed to just be kids and to ENJOY what they do without needless pressure from parents who want to live vicariously through their perceived success.
No young kids should be told they are sh*t or that they're useless, least of all by those that are meant to care most for them.
It's no different to the problem we face in football - while the likes of the Dutch groom their kids on ball skills and love of the game, we've got parents fighting on the sidelines, hassling referees and putting huge pressure on their kids to win at all costs instead of just enjoying playing the game. The result is that at adult level there's a big disparity in terms of skill.

Yes, but they picked the most extreme parents that they could find, picked out the worst bits from their footage and turned it into a controversial one hour programme.
They aren't going to say he trains for an hour a night because he likes it then fucks off down the park with his mates for the rest of the night, because it wouldn't work with the point of the programme.
They didn't show the bits where the parents say well done to their kids - and they probably did.
The programme wasn't called The Parents of the Cage Fighting Kids, it was called Baby Fight Club - it was meant to evoke these sorts of reactions, and have no doubt there are even more people calling for contact sports (including boxing) to be banned because of it.
I saw it as an hour of clever editing, like most of these one off specials.

[Deserter]

I think they made you think exactly what they wanted you to think. These young lads don't have the power to hurt each other. Where are the facts that this is dangerous? There were none - How many kids have actually been hurt doing it?
Ok, so there was a bit too much swearing for my liking, but I haven't been to an am boxing show yet where people weren't swearing.
This was made to make people think that combat sports - all combat sports - should be banned, but without giving any facts.

Wouldn't the likes of David Haye have said the same thing as that young lad when he was a youngster - surely it is just what every young sportsman dreams of - being the best.

With the greatest of respect mate I think you're completely missing the point. I'm not talking about the physical contact (though I do have some reservations over that given the clearly inept refererring, regulations etc).
What I've got a real problem with is kids not being allowed to just be kids and to ENJOY what they do without needless pressure from parents who want to live vicariously through their perceived success.
No young kids should be told they are sh*t or that they're useless, least of all by those that are meant to care most for them.
It's no different to the problem we face in football - while the likes of the Dutch groom their kids on ball skills and love of the game, we've got parents fighting on the sidelines, hassling referees and putting huge pressure on their kids to win at all costs instead of just enjoying playing the game. The result is that at adult level there's a big disparity in terms of skill.

Yes, but they picked the most extreme parents that they could find, picked out the worst bits from their footage and turned it into a controversial one hour programme.
They aren't going to say he trains for an hour a night because he likes it then fucks off down the park with his mates for the rest of the night, because it wouldn't work with the point of the programme.
They didn't show the bits where the parents say well done to their kids - and they probably did.
The programme wasn't called The Parents of the Cage Fighting Kids, it was called Baby Fight Club - it was meant to evoke these sorts of reactions, and have no doubt there are even more people calling for contact sports (including boxing) to be banned because of it.
I saw it as an hour of clever editing, like most of these one off specials.

I hear you, and don't in any way disagree on that point. I was merely pointing out that those 'bad eggs' ruin it for the majority of the boxing/martial arts community who do valuable, worthwhile things with and for kids

[bridportboxer]

With the greatest of respect mate I think you're completely missing the point. I'm not talking about the physical contact (though I do have some reservations over that given the clearly inept refererring, regulations etc).
What I've got a real problem with is kids not being allowed to just be kids and to ENJOY what they do without needless pressure from parents who want to live vicariously through their perceived success.
No young kids should be told they are sh*t or that they're useless, least of all by those that are meant to care most for them.
It's no different to the problem we face in football - while the likes of the Dutch groom their kids on ball skills and love of the game, we've got parents fighting on the sidelines, hassling referees and putting huge pressure on their kids to win at all costs instead of just enjoying playing the game. The result is that at adult level there's a big disparity in terms of skill.

Yes, but they picked the most extreme parents that they could find, picked out the worst bits from their footage and turned it into a controversial one hour programme.
They aren't going to say he trains for an hour a night because he likes it then fucks off down the park with his mates for the rest of the night, because it wouldn't work with the point of the programme.
They didn't show the bits where the parents say well done to their kids - and they probably did.
The programme wasn't called The Parents of the Cage Fighting Kids, it was called Baby Fight Club - it was meant to evoke these sorts of reactions, and have no doubt there are even more people calling for contact sports (including boxing) to be banned because of it.
I saw it as an hour of clever editing, like most of these one off specials.

I hear you, and don't in any way disagree on that point. I was merely pointing out that those 'bad eggs' ruin it for the majority of the boxing/martial arts community who do valuable, worthwhile things with and for kids

Both being in somerset I thought we were going to have to meet up and have a

[Deserter]

Yes, but they picked the most extreme parents that they could find, picked out the worst bits from their footage and turned it into a controversial one hour programme.
They aren't going to say he trains for an hour a night because he likes it then fucks off down the park with his mates for the rest of the night, because it wouldn't work with the point of the programme.
They didn't show the bits where the parents say well done to their kids - and they probably did.
The programme wasn't called The Parents of the Cage Fighting Kids, it was called Baby Fight Club - it was meant to evoke these sorts of reactions, and have no doubt there are even more people calling for contact sports (including boxing) to be banned because of it.
I saw it as an hour of clever editing, like most of these one off specials.

I hear you, and don't in any way disagree on that point. I was merely pointing out that those 'bad eggs' ruin it for the majority of the boxing/martial arts community who do valuable, worthwhile things with and for kids

Both being in somerset I thought we were going to have to meet up and have a

I'm too old for that game fella! See enough of it in Bridgwater on a Saturday night to know that

[lowersmiths]

the parents in wigan of the young girl were a disgrace and social services should intervene. it was obvious the girl (five years old for god's sake) didnt want to do it. her parents were complete idiots.

other than that though, i didnt really see much difference between what was broadcast and what goes on in amateur boxing.

the east london nipper who won at the end was a funny lad and you could tell he really enjoyed it. putting him in a stone island hat and coat was a bit much though :)

the asian kid's dad seemed a drip who was living his life through his son BUT the lad did like fighting.

they showed a lad in thailand kicking the burnley (?) boy in the head, but it was a mistake as he slipped over. they showed that clip twice.

the difference in thailand is that the kids fight for money because they are dirt poor. if kids in england are to fight then they have to want to do it - not be forced into it like the little girl's moronic ''parents''

[dondada]

That was truly an eye opener.

I am all for kids boxing and taking part in martial arts - and yes competing. But it depends on the people around them and, I hope, you wont see many people in amateur boxing talking to kids like these people were.

Did you see that trainer/dad in the final fight: 'Your f**king hurting him, go out and hurt him some more." The kid was 10.

Then, because of the way they have been moulded, you have the kids celebrating violently and talking about how they are going to buy a house and a pen for their dogs and sitting around in chav caps.

The people around them were utterly lacking in class, particulalry during the fights when they were swearing at the top of their voice.

These competitions should be seen as part of the kids development, an educational process in dedication and respect. That kind of thing can set up a kid for life.

Making the competitions life or death and forcing your kid to train like a scene out of Rocky is completely out of order. The sad thing is, the parents are so oblivious to their actions that they will never change.

I didn't watch it and try and avoid the ever increasing amount of programmes on TV that might depress me these days. So thanks for this excellent and well written summary.

These parents need their heads tested or their chins checking. Or both.

[bridportboxer]

I hear you, and don't in any way disagree on that point. I was merely pointing out that those 'bad eggs' ruin it for the majority of the boxing/martial arts community who do valuable, worthwhile things with and for kids

Both being in somerset I thought we were going to have to meet up and have a

I'm too old for that game fella! See enough of it in Bridgwater on a Saturday night to know that

That's alright I'm rubbish at it anyway

[observer1]

disgusting indeed

[DIRT SUGAR]

Unbelievable. You'd hope those parents will see themselves on TV And be ashamed of themselves. Sadly, they wont will they?

[dondada]

Unbelievable. You'd hope those parents will see themselves on TV And be ashamed of themselves. Sadly, they wont will they?

No, they'll see themselves and think they're fantastic. Chilling.

[bigped]

the parents in wigan of the young girl were a disgrace and social services should intervene. it was obvious the girl (five years old for god's sake) didnt want to do it. her parents were complete idiots.

other than that though, i didnt really see much difference between what was broadcast and what goes on in amateur boxing.

the east london nipper who won at the end was a funny lad and you could tell he really enjoyed it. putting him in a stone island hat and coat was a bit much though :)

the asian kid's dad seemed a drip who was living his life through his son BUT the lad did like fighting.

they showed a lad in thailand kicking the burnley (?) boy in the head, but it was a mistake as he slipped over. they showed that clip twice.

the difference in thailand is that the kids fight for money because they are dirt poor. if kids in england are to fight then they have to want to do it - not be forced into it like the little girl's moronic ''parents''

That girls parents were a joke, they were both a disgrace she couldnt even fight was only pushing the other girl away, it was sick she was in tears before hand. Did you see when the wee girl was in the changing rooms before her fight and her dad was like shes had you three times before you need to do the business the day i was ot disbelief about how ignorant some of these people are, the other lads were quite good for there age andif they keep at it you can only imagine how good they will be in 10 years.

[m1kee50]

I can imagine the parents are the type that confuse being a loud mouth, with a beer gut, tattoo's and a skinhead with being a hard nut

We call them spurs fans

[yiddo14]

I can imagine the parents are the type that confuse being a loud mouth, with a beer gut, tattoo's and a skinhead with being a hard nut

We call them spurs fans

Coming from a West Ham fan!!!!!

[REAL_DEAL]

At least they are wearing protection gear. In Thailand they don't wear any full contact. My friend says you see a lot of kids being carried out on wooden stretchers.