What Does It Say About Us Boxing Fans....

[keithmoonhangover]

....that we like watching people get knocked out. I mean, morally, what does it mean? We watch it happen and then there's that bit of concern if the guy stays down to long and the relief that he isn't getting stretchered out of the ring.

Any thoughts?

[stevedoc]

i love big punchers seeing hearns ko someone or tyson but i don't really like MMA where a fighter gets really f@cked up .

[MrJasonM]

Interesting question raised.

I am not a psychologist but I am sure there is something in the fact that we all get what could be regarded as a perverse pleasure in watching someone get physically hurt.

However I dont think it is quite that simple, some of the reasons I love boxing so much is the fitness, the skill, the bravery, and ultimately the at times brutality of the sport.

I think it is a fantastic sport for so many reasons and would thoroughly encourage my son, if and when he arrives, to take up boxing as I know it will teach him so much more than just how to hit somebody in the face.

And to agree with the above poster, I have tried to get into UFC but I just dont find it appealing, the fact that the fights are so short, and that you will see a man pummeled in the face several times when he is on the ground, barely defending himself is much worse than you will see in any boxing ring.

[Boxerbeetle]

There's definitely something satisfying about seeing someone knocked spark out cleanly, but I agree with stevedoc that MMA can be too much - I've seen MMA fights where guys are literally unconscious on the mat but take 4 or 5 further headshots before the fight is stopped. Generally speaking I think boxing fans like the competitive element - once a fight stops being competitive, we want it stopped pretty quickly. A lot of MMA fans I speak to don't seem to share the same sentiment, although their sport hasn't yet gone through the same sort of tragedies as ours has.

As for what it says about us...I dunno, I like to think we're retaining a primal aspect of masculinity that society is trying to pretend doesn't exist, the kind of stuff Tyler Durden talks about in Fight Club.

[milpool]

I've often wondered why I love boxing considering I hate watching violence outside the boxing ring.

[Horse]

People like violence.

There's nothing wrong with that as long as it's controlled.

[keithmoonhangover]

People like violence.

There's nothing wrong with that as long as it's controlled.

Why do you, as an individual, like it?

[Horse]

Why do you, as an individual, like it?

I don't care, I just do.

Why do people like anything?

[Ricky_]

I always feel terrible when I see someone badly hurt, get a sort of dread for a couple of seconds, Hatton-Pac & Froch-Groves 2 are a couple of good examples.

But i'm a gambler, I love the rush, I love the action and thrill of having so much on the line, I think that's why I love boxing so much and admire the combatants. They are literally putting their lives on the line, lives the dedicate to the sport, and everything that entails, the fitness, the skill, the diet, the heart, the courage, the mental toughness. To me there's nothing more honest than when 2 men meet inside the ring.

I like to see 1 fighter beat another, inside the distance, but i really hate to see any fighter get seriously hurt, but the risk that they could, contributes towards the thrill of the sport imo.

[Stuarty]

i love big punchers seeing hearns ko someone or tyson but i don't really like MMA where a fighter gets really f@cked up .

I have 4 kids (soon to be 5). I have put my two boys into boxing but would you want your child to get into MMA? I take your point. Far too brutal and less skill involved than boxing.

[Stuarty]

I always feel terrible when I see someone badly hurt, get a sort of dread for a couple of seconds, Hatton-Pac & Froch-Groves 2 are a couple of good examples.

But i'm a gambler, I love the rush, I love the action and thrill of having so much on the line, I think that's why I love boxing so much and admire the combatants. They are literally putting their lives on the line, lives the dedicate to the sport, and everything that entails, the fitness, the skill, the diet, the heart, the courage, the mental toughness. To me there's nothing more honest than when 2 men meet inside the ring.

I like to see 1 fighter beat another, inside the distance, but i really hate to see any fighter get seriously hurt, but the risk that they could, contributes towards the thrill of the sport imo.

Good post

[palooka]

I felt awful when Bradley Stone and James Murray died and did a fair bit of soul searching, I did find it difficult to justify to myself but I do enjoy watching a good bout between 2 well schooled and well matched boxers. I tried the sport myself as a youth and a young man and appreciate how difficult it is to master even the basic movements and to conquer the fear of getting punched. I admire good boxers and don't dwell too much on the darker aspects of the sport/business - if I did I'd stop watching.

[stevieb_8006]

I like seeing one lone figure truly rise to the occasion. How they face down their own demons like doubt and insecurity to achieve greatness. So in a way, it's the personal battle I enjoy, the defying of the odds.

Terrence McKenna said "Nature love courage, jump into the abyss and discover it's just a feather bed" I think that's what fighters have to do when they get in the ring, not saying it's easy but they do kind of take a leap of faith (in themselves).

[Ricky_]

I always feel terrible when I see someone badly hurt, get a sort of dread for a couple of seconds, Hatton-Pac & Froch-Groves 2 are a couple of good examples.

But i'm a gambler, I love the rush, I love the action and thrill of having so much on the line, I think that's why I love boxing so much and admire the combatants. They are literally putting their lives on the line, lives the dedicate to the sport, and everything that entails, the fitness, the skill, the diet, the heart, the courage, the mental toughness. To me there's nothing more honest than when 2 men meet inside the ring.

I like to see 1 fighter beat another, inside the distance, but i really hate to see any fighter get seriously hurt, but the risk that they could, contributes towards the thrill of the sport imo.

Good post

Thnx, and just to add, the sort of feeling I get to a fight's narrative (or the sport as a whole) is often captured beautifully in the 24/7 documentaries narrated by Liev Schreiber. It's a shame we only get those for big HBO Box Office fights, seeing the true back story of the fighters, the characters, and where the came from is just as intriguing (if not more so) than the fights themselves.

[palooka]

I like seeing one lone figure truly rise to the occasion. How they face down their own demons like doubt and insecurity to achieve greatness. So in a way, it's the personal battle I enjoy, the defying of the odds.

Terrence McKenna said "Nature love courage, jump into the abyss and discover it's just a feather bed" I think that's what fighters have to do when they get in the ring, not saying it's easy but they do kind of take a leap of faith (in themselves).

Was he off his head on mushrooms when he said that?

[palooka]

I always feel terrible when I see someone badly hurt, get a sort of dread for a couple of seconds, Hatton-Pac & Froch-Groves 2 are a couple of good examples.

But i'm a gambler, I love the rush, I love the action and thrill of having so much on the line, I think that's why I love boxing so much and admire the combatants. They are literally putting their lives on the line, lives the dedicate to the sport, and everything that entails, the fitness, the skill, the diet, the heart, the courage, the mental toughness. To me there's nothing more honest than when 2 men meet inside the ring.

I like to see 1 fighter beat another, inside the distance, but i really hate to see any fighter get seriously hurt, but the risk that they could, contributes towards the thrill of the sport imo.

Good post

Thnx, and just to add, the sort of feeling I get to a fight's narrative (or the sport as a whole) is often captured beautifully in the 24/7 documentaries narrated by Liev Schreiber. It's a shame we only get those for big HBO Box Office fights, seeing the true back story of the fighters, the characters, and where the came from is just as intriguing (if not more so) than the fights themselves.

There are some good half hour documentaries on box notion, I watched a good one about Liam Smith the other week.

[palooka]

i love big punchers seeing hearns ko someone or tyson but i don't really like MMA where a fighter gets really f@cked up .

I have 4 kids (soon to be 5). I have put my two boys into boxing but would you want your child to get into MMA? I take your point. Far too brutal and less skill involved than boxing.

I've taken my son to Brazilian jiu jitsu and mma instead of boxing, its the head shots that are worrying, I've mates who boxed amateur and pro and a few of them have a little noticeable damage. I'd not like my son to fight in the cage or the ring but will sleep a little easier knowing he can look after himself if someone gives him a bad time.

[Stuarty]

i love big punchers seeing hearns ko someone or tyson but i don't really like MMA where a fighter gets really f@cked up .

I have 4 kids (soon to be 5). I have put my two boys into boxing but would you want your child to get into MMA? I take your point. Far too brutal and less skill involved than boxing.

I've taken my son to Brazilian jiu jitsu and mma instead of boxing, its the head shots that are worrying, I've mates who boxed amateur and pro and a few of them have a little noticeable damage. I'd not like my son to fight in the cage or the ring but will sleep a little easier knowing he can look after himself if someone gives him a bad time.

I know what you mean. I boxed myself as an amateur and I think it ingrains a respect that s hard to teach! I am definitely more comfortable knowing my boys can look after themselves though!

[bigjack]

I don't like seeing fighters getting ko'd cold,i like the sudden impact of a ko blow,but don't like anyone being unconcious,when McClellan got hurt it bothered me for weeks.I'm more than happy watching a decent scrap with maybe a couple of knockdowns.

[keithmoonhangover]

I don't like seeing fighters getting ko'd cold,i like the sudden impact of a ko blow,but don't like anyone being unconcious,when McClellan got hurt it bothered me for weeks.I'm more than happy watching a decent scrap with maybe a couple of knockdowns.

Likewise for me with McClellan. After Eubank-Watson II, I didn't watch any boxing for nearly a month.

[stevedoc]

I felt awful when Bradley Stone and James Murray died and did a fair bit of soul searching, I did find it difficult to justify to myself but I do enjoy watching a good bout between 2 well schooled and well matched boxers. I tried the sport myself as a youth and a young man and appreciate how difficult it is to master even the basic movements and to conquer the fear of getting punched. I admire good boxers and don't dwell too much on the darker aspects of the sport/business - if I did I'd stop watching.

i felt similar simon i stopped boxing when bradley stone died we were the same age and weight and i just fought this isn't worth it any more ,i wasn't scared just hought there's more for me to do .

[Manchester Massive]

i love big punchers seeing hearns ko someone or tyson but i don't really like MMA where a fighter gets really f@cked up .

I have 4 kids (soon to be 5). I have put my two boys into boxing but would you want your child to get into MMA? I take your point. Far too brutal and less skill involved than boxing.

Great deal of skill in MMA, they need to be able to fight on the ground, standing up, deal with kicks as well as punches, they'll likely get a lot less head trauma in MMA than boxing as well

[magwitch]

i love big punchers seeing hearns ko someone or tyson but i don't really like MMA where a fighter gets really f@cked up .

i reckon you're more likely to get messed up in boxing. Bigger gloves for a start. In MMA chances are you get KO'd by the big shots and stopped. In boxing you can get hit all night - which might actually be more dangerous.


In response to Keith's opener - I've never been a fan that follows the sport to "see someone get put on his arse" which I've known people say that's all that people want to see. I do not buy into that mentality in any way whatsoever. I like the back-stories, the characters, the build-up, the way fights unfold. I like to admire skill, stamina, technique, bravery. If these kind of attributes are in evidence then I don't care if I don't see a KO on the bill.

[jamesmcdonnell]

i love big punchers seeing hearns ko someone or tyson but i don't really like MMA where a fighter gets really f@cked up .

I have 4 kids (soon to be 5). I have put my two boys into boxing but would you want your child to get into MMA? I take your point. Far too brutal and less skill involved than boxing.

Great deal of skill in MMA, they need to be able to fight on the ground, standing up, deal with kicks as well as punches, they'll likely get a lot less head trauma in MMA than boxing as well

In my experience watching MMA they are very quick to step in and stop fights, the fact the gloves are smaller, means the impact is localised, and causes more injury in terms of cuts and bruises, but less trauma to the brain.

On that note, watched Arlovski against Travis the other day, wow, what a fight, Arlovski sure as hell can punch, one of the few strikers in the MMA that looks comparable with a top level boxer in terms of power and technique.

I think MMA gets a bad rap from boxing fans, I enjoy both sports, and really do appreciate the amazing level of skill in MMA. There's so many techniques that a fighter has to be aware of and defend against. Arlovski has very little ground game, preferring to stay on his feet, and predominantly punch, but he is near impossible to take down as he has learnt to defend so well, and he also has a submission game.

[magwitch]

someone posted a video on here the other day of a "white-collar" fight in which someone in the audience can be repeatedly heard screaming "F*ck him up!" "F*ck him up Timmy!"...or whoever...... These kind of utter pricks should just be asked to shut up or leave.
I was at an amateur show in Coventry a few years ago. ABAs. Some geezer had his little brother in the ring. He was absolutely p*ssed out of his skull. Didn't stop screaming from the first bell to the end. Nearly in tears he was. You could tell he was proud of his brother but he still came over to the whole room as an embarrassment who couldn't hold himself well when drunk.