Collar ties (grabbing the head) should be legal. Having studied the bareknuckle heavyweight champions in england, a DISPROPORTIONATE number of them died by the time they were 45. It was more the rule than the exception.
Also, 'man thongs' or long johns (manly leggings) should be mandatory for all competing fighters once again. Bring back the sashes as well.
I do agree with you, but I think you're being too idealistic. A lot of these men fight for money. For their families. You think they want to go to life's brink to prove a point? Most boxing matches are not for legacy or history. It's a man's choice, sure, but pride has its limits for a lot of people, fighters included. When you watch the next bout, think about this. About the hard rounds of sparring fighters do week in week out. Accumulating neurological and physical damage before the bout begins. Think about the niggling injuries fighters often take in to bouts, and consistently deal with. Not superstars, fighters. Think that when you see a KO reel, most of these guys are paid to lose, not to go out on their shield and ****ing die, but to support themselves and the sport as a whole. The majority of fighters are paid a pittance for their work, and not appreciated at all for it by the outside. Most of them don't even get adaquete time to prepare. It ain't all about the stars, legends and divas. They aren't the backbone of the sport. These men have too much pride to quit even when they need to, or even want to. Boxing has a duty of care to its fighters, the fighters that make the sport, due to how **** they treat them in every other way. Therfore boxing should always prioritise the fighters and their consequent safety. Think about that before being too black and white. That's all I gotta say.
Is this not what defines an all time great? Was it not pride that allowed Moore to give a spectacular show against Rocky Marciano? Was it not pride that made Muhammad Ali take vicious punishment from Joe Frazier so that their 15 rounder could be dubbed fight of the century? Pride and heart and the will to go on are the most defining traits for greatness not only in boxing but in the human race as a whole. Life is overcoming hardship and obstacles that you aren't supposed to be able to overcome. Life is carrying yourself in a respectable manner and not letting your name be tarnished. Life is pride. And these men, whether they're professional losers or only in boxing to provide for their family, they can quit of their own accord should they so choose. Again, I believe that the fighters have a responsibility to take care of themselves moreso, this is hypocritical thinking. We all blamed Jack Sharkey for not protecting himself from Jack Dempsey when he complained to the ref, not the ref for not breaking up Dempsey and Sharkey immediately because Sharkey was having a fit. Also ,what shall the backbone become when the sport has been degraded so much that it's barely recognizable as fighting? Will people want to watch men with 24oz gloves tapdance around for 4 rounds while the ref breaks any close contact, dqs for the slightest accidental rule break, and stops a fight when one fighter lands a 5 punch combination? They say the slippery slope argument is a logical fallacy, but history will show it is not. Too idealistic? Was the great Muhammad Ali too idealistic when he shouted to all that he was going to be the greatest? Was Rocky Marciano too idealistic when he made the solemn vow to become heavyweight champion no matter what punishment he had to endure? Was Joe Jeannette too idealistic when he was in his corner, after being knocked down by Sam McVea 7 times, and still believed that he could beat McVea? Idealism must not be staunched by safety. That is a half life. They must balance each other. This is why there are round limits, why we allow fighters to say "I quit". But one must not take over the other.
Some good points. I just feel naunce is needed here, like everywhere else. You only mention the greatest of the greats. Of course that is what boxing is recognised for, but ATGs don't let boxing run day to day, in and out. Not all men are Rocky or Ali. And that's the thing. Nearly all of these 'lower' boxers will NEVER quit of their own accord. That's why boxing (and the corners, doctors etc) owes a duty of care to them, or they atleast deserve it. Without them - no Boxing at all. I do agree that boxing is a dangerous personal choice though, and mustnt be regulated to the point of farce. In fact, I saw somewhere here years ago that very few deaths have occurred in the 13th - 15th round. Of course, we don't know (but can guess) the later effects. You'd find this interesting IMO. Still, Boxing and safety is a precarious matter, and infinitely debatable. So I don't want to waste either of our times using up great posting ability with this. Its getting quite late here anyway. I look forward to your next thread.
Pennsylvania Athletic commission still uses a 10lb rehydration limit in championship fights. I wished it was used as I think it levels the playing field and hopefully minimizes weight cutting and rehydration for fighter safety...but I am sure that gets abused or fighters abuse themselves to make that weight.
Hard to say how much is causation. People tended to die younger then anyway, and there's probably a pretty high correlation between being a bareknuckle boxer and other risky behaviors, like drinking, and playing rackets.
I think there's too much time given after knockdowns. It's well intentioned, but I suspect it just allows fighters to take more punishment instead of being stopped.
Without a doubt 15 rounds for championship fights. And more free fights Edit by free I mean on basic cable. Hopefully they get paid well for their efforts. That and for the love of everything put more then one entertaining fight on the card
15 rounds, 1 belt, less weight classes are my obvious choices. Smaller gloves and clinch fighting should be allowed. Lach and I were discussing this, and too many rules can make boxing go the way of traditional martial arts. For example, Olympic martial arts such as Taekwondo are more point based than actually effective for a real fight. Boxing is one of the few real fighting methods left, and rules like clinches being free breaks should be done with. Wanna hug your opponent because you're tired? Alright, but expect a few body blows. Keep it as real as can be, bigger gloves slow your hands down and make it less realistic than a regular hand's speed and feel. Another thing I'd fix is mandatories. Mandatories should be highly ranked contenders, the best of the best, not some bum because ABC commission #35 wants your fee money. Ratings should be determined by some amalgam of the Transnational Boxing Rankings Board and the Ring magazine. Both have generally good rankings, much better than some comissions have. Fight the best to be the best.
I'll just say this, every time a fighter got really hurt they were promptly rushed to a pub. BTW if that was a Jem Belcher joke than it was a mean one, but he probably never saw it coming.
If your going to go this way than go full waist up offense. Not only boxing but add in elbows and that eye candy spinning **** all the Carlos Condit fans love. I'd probably give it a watch.
