****. To take your body to the next level. You have to take your mind to the next level. Constantly. That's mad work. All those training camps. Dieting. Weight cutting. Road running. Weight lifting. Punches to the head and body. How much of a ****ing toll does that **** take? They say it's a selfish sport but it's also a lonely one. Or it can be. Sacraficing time away from family and friends. Even yourself. Then the everlasting effects of injuries not just to the brain. We know about Ali and others with Parkinsons and CTE. What else have you heard of? Different things for different fighters and some got away from the sport scott free for the most part. Some aren't and weren't so lucky.
Yeah, so much respect for these people. Even as an amateur, I find it often tough... Head and muscle ache every Sunday after sparring/fighting, busted face, body not reacting as good as before due to the age, injuries... and of course as you mentioned, the lonely training spent by yourself running, hitting the bag etc etc... I can't even imagine as a professional the sacrifices you have to go through... for some of them just to be able to make a proper living without even being particularly rich... And then I sometimes read on this forum "he is a bum"... makes me puke litteraly...what a lack of respect. I'd like every person that called a professional fighter a bum to get on the ring with him and last 1 round... But daddy's son feels very strong and cumfortable behind a computer.
A friend of mine went pro years ago and he would always say that the hardest part of the boxing life isn't the fighting itself, but the lifestyle that you have to put yourself through. A lot is said about the effects on the brain, and rightfully so. But I shudder to think how bad my knees would be if I was to do the daily road running, etc that is required. That's not even to mention how my noggin' would react after years of hits, etc.
Good post & so true with all that it can also be so downing if or when you lose a fight regardless if it was close,robbery or worse knowing you let everyone around you down & then having to replay those moments not to mention all the insensitive trash talking not only by the fans but even the broadcast commentators sway on your way, must be brutal.
