Boxing Is a Martial Art

Boxing is a martial art and combat sport where two people engage in a contest of endurance, reflexes, and strength by throwing various punches at an opponent using gloved hands. Historical records indicate that the ancient Greeks added boxing as a category in the Olympics in 688 BC . Modern boxing developed in the US and in the UK around the late 19th century and early 20th century. The Marquees of Queensberry rules, a code of generally accepted rules, drafted in 1867, allowed boxing to make a general transition into being a modern sport after a long period where it was considered illegitimate. Critics today often view boxing as barbaric and unacceptably dangerous, calling for an immediate ban of the sport all together. However, what critics neglect to acknowledge, is that boxing is more than just a sport and therefore it would be unfair to the contestants and the fans to ban boxing just because of a few short sighted critics.

Boxing is more than just a sport; it is a culture that requires hard work, dedication, determination, and discipline. It takes many years of training before becoming a professional boxer; as a result, boxing brings joy and entertainment to so many people around the world. For youth growing up in poor economic situations, becoming involved in boxing, offers not only a temporary escape from a hard life, but also an opportunity to develop hope and determination to achieve a better life. Boxing is an entertainment for many cultures and people of the world most have their own heroes. For this reason, what government or critic would want stop this sport and crush the dreams and hopes of a young aspired fighter? Loic Wacquant, a French sociologist, argues that the boxers are the best evidence in support of the sport. When people debate about whether to ban boxing, he writes, “the fighters’ voices are drowned out and lost”. Manny Pacquiao from Manilla, Philippines was the fourth of six children in his family. He grew up under extreme economic hardships and by the age of 15 was forced to drop out of school in order to support his family. Aside from selling sweet bread on the streets, he began boxing part time. Because of his determination to help his family, Pacquiao made the Philippine national boxing team and was able to gain national attention for his incredible speed and boxing style in the ring. He often accredits the improvement to his family’s life as results from his performance in the ring. Today, Pacquiao is one of the best pound for pound boxers in the boxing industry and was recently named “Fighter of the Decade” by the World Boxing Organzation. So many young boxers around the world dedicate themselves to the sport, in hopes of becoming successful boxers like Manny Pacquiao. You cannot take away the dreams of young boxers by banning the sport, because in a way it is like any hope young boxers may have their own lives.

If boxing was banned, it would not entirely remove boxing