Can making boxing a scholastic sport bring it back to where it was?

I've been wondering this for a while ... if there was a way to put boxing in schools would increase the popularity of the sports amoung the youth and possibly revive the sport.

There are alot of kids who don't have anything to do ...

And then they're are alot of kids who just think they're tough and want to fight all the time. Putting that negative energy to use may help kids in many ways.

It may give those kids who don't have the skill or the ambition to do other things a reason to do something. It may boost the amateur experience and the level of competition in the amateur ranks. I know as an American this would be a perfect outlet and give more of a balance to the fight game. Instead of a Michael Strahan type of guy playing football - he would desire to become a boxer and who knows may even give the US a legit HW champion.

A gateway to; stay out of trouble, build confidence and self esteem, discipline, focus, and a great way to bond and build relationships.

I know this idea is far fetched but if it were possible would there be a significant change in your eyes?

What do you guys think?

 

Great points ...

I think that some fighters and promoters would gladly contribute to the cause and break off some money.

It would give some fighters a chance to actually develop ... its so terrible that most American amatuers only spend 48 months developing their skills as amateurs and turn pro - alot without any international experience.

I don't think that winning 2 golden gloves or US national championship is quite enough experience.

 

I don't think that the US is as concervative as it used to be ... I think that the biggest issue would be more about the money. I don't see boxing less violent than football or wrestling.

 

I don't know what you're talking about ...

I'm talking about on an amateur level --

Boxing is and has always been mainstream ... from Sugar Ray Robinson selling 70k tickets to a fight or Joe Louis carrying the nation on his back during his fight with Max Schmelling ... or Julio Cesar Chave bring 100k fans to watch him fight in a soccer stadium.
or Tyson and Lewis splitting a 100m purse --
or Floyd and Oscar having 2 million ppv buys at $50 a pop --

The development of young fighters w/ their boxing skills and their development as people would bring the sport to where it has wanted to be.

A season where boxing can be on display for kids in elementary, grammar school, and highschool -- kids getting to travel to different towns, states, and countries ... having them build bonds and develop relationship skills.

getting the chance to see things - otherwise they wouldn't have the opportunity to see.

learning different cultures and backgrounds ... seeing different boxing styles ... developing their own styles ... having their favorite boxers from the pro ranks who they want to model their style after ... a broader fan base amoung young people.

more heads on ESB --

 

Instead of a boy or girl picking on someone because they think they're weaker than them or they want to prove how tough they are ... they get into the ring ... maybe they do good ... maybe they get owned ... but overall they get humbled.

Alot of negative energy can be channeled many other ways than just taking it out on someone who has nothing to do with it or wants no parts of you.

Boxing teaches you more importantly discipline ... and you can carry that discipline outside the ring.

It could open up scholarships to college as well ... it would be even better on a collegiate level as well.

Actually develop skill before you turn pro --

You don't see guys like Floyd Mayweather or Oscar De La Hoya getting into fights outside of the ring. Those guys wouldn't waste their time getting into a street fight --

I can see a team aspect being brought into it too -- wearing your school colors ... having a fighter boy or girl represent each weight class and doing the damn thing.

I know in michigan they would support that **** --