Do we expect of much from our heroes?

If they deem it worthwhile, its worthwhile.

You must understand and accept the risks of being a boxer

I don't think some quite understand though, unless they are truly willing to die for it.

The saddest part is how it doesn't necessarily kill you. brain damage can be worse than death.

What came first boxing or the boxing fan? The boxer. So id deem our pleasure is irrelevant in this moral question.

Many boxers expeirance recoverable mild to severe concussion yet still choose to continue despite having their full health.

The only thing we can do as fans is try to support boxers are much as possible. Still too much corruption in a sport where men give a part of themselves.

 

Boxers box initially as amateurs because they enjoy it, this enjoyment enhanced if they are good at it, this the case with Quarry and Ali.

This talent then becomes means of earning a living so turn pro, is that for our pleasure? No it is for the money, prestige etc etc.
Ali earned mega millions and Quarry in region of 2 million dollars in purses, so the $/£ motivates.

Likewise I am sure many on this forum played contact sports in their youth and had their brains rattled a lot, I know I did, the number of times I have played rugby and taken a boot, knee or collided heads with a opposing player and been concussed, but carried on playing though not compos mentis (no head injury assessments back then other than a team mate saying "you alright son?), why did I do it? because i enjoyed the physical challenge, a machismo of not wanting to be seen as weak through injury.
Same with boxing, i did not have anywhere near the talent of Ali or Quarry, but fought as i again liked the challenge.

I never considered the long term neurological risks, I was young I was invincible.

I too despair to see ex fighters with the neuro damage likely caused by boxing, but most fought through their own choice, it a career choice.

 

It's the sport, it's why we love it, it takes a special kind person to fight and especially fight their way to the top.

We also admire fighters because it's something we can't do or just haven't got within us, sadly a lot of the time there is a price to be paid.


I don't think we expect too much but I think we casually disrespect fighters without really thinking it through, I've done it plenty of times and regretted it later.

I've made comments about a fighters "lack of courage" or "lack of desire" and sometimes it's been somewhat justified and sometimes I've been extremely harsh and if I'm honest disrespectful.

As for the punishment they receive and the price some pay, fighters know the risks, we know the risks, we can just hope they are paid fairly, the medicals are legit and they are protected from themselves if they need to be and more on the fans side we are not disrespectful and give them the respect they deserve, even if they not one of your favourite fighters.

 

Boxers are a different breed. Must respect them.

 

arturo gatti too.
we're only as happy as we are today. our past achievements are nice to reflect on, but it's our health and well-being now that dictate how we feel about ourselves and others.

this is why i always talk up a holistic approach to health and well-being on here, including the importance of maintaining positive thoughts, and discarding negative and unhelpful ones.

great thread by the way because it is something for every one of us to reflect on.