Should there be an age limit, or a limit on the number of fights or rounds a boxer should have in their professional career? Your thoughts please. :thumbsup
No... I'm not sure you can set a certain age or round limit. Fighters are individuals and individuals age and decline at different rates. Although once a fighter starts showing extreme wear and tear and is shot to bits, there probably should be someone who steps in and says 'No Mas' for their well being. Don't count on that happening anytime soon.
Agreed. Also, the types of fights a guy is involved in definitely factors in. Some guys are shot to **** well before their time because they accumulate too much damage in one fight.
I was thinking of suggesting a high age limit or bout/round limit which would give boxers a chance to fight more, but what would be the point of making any limit that high if it doesn't help them? The whole point of age limits or bout/round limits is to prevent too much health damage on a fighter. But at the same time, I do feel that the sport should take a position on this if it truly cares about the health of its players. Another way to look at this problem is to set an age or bout or round limit, but help boxers maintain or improve their health within these limits. This accomplishes two things: First it prevents boxers from fighting too long, and second it helps boxers develop a strategy and plan for a healthier career within these limits.
This would be horrible for the sport and even worse for fighters. The sport would have to degenerate into something resembling the WWE in order to remain relevant after this. There are way too many variables in boxing and career development to set a limit like this. In essence, everyone would have to go the Holyfield route as far as resumes go in order to progress their career before their time limit was up. With a limit like this, boxing would be deprived of great fighters like Sugar Ray Robinson, Roberto Duran, Julio Cesar Chavez, and even a possibility of a comback like George Foreman's. Bottom line is age llimits and participation limits don't belong in professional sports.
But what about examples like Roy Jone Jr. who is obviously well passed his prime, and still continues to fight to the detriment of his health and mind. Another example is Julio Cesar Chavez. He fought over 100 fights, a great accomplishment indeed, but it look pitiful in his later years for fans to watch him fight. The same goes with Evander Holyfield who just did not know when to stop.
No, as long as you can pass a physical you should be allowed to fight, period. I do however think that boxing could benefit from a "Seniors Tour" type thing where 40+ fighters fight each other, as opposed to serving as cannon fodder for younger fighters.
I gotta agree with this, I'm all for "Fight 'till you can't fight no more" but when it gets to this level you need to stop.
Of course you'd say that. The Trailer Park Trash contingent shouldn't be allowed to box for their own good. When Hartley ends up brain-damaged and a vegetable at age 30, maybe you'll change your stance. If you don't show any skill or commitment to training, you shouldn't be licensed. There's no way those guys would get licensed over here.
