Boxing

Described, strangely, as “the sweet science,” boxing remains a fascinating spectator sport for those inclined to watch two athletes combine fitness, gladiatorial attitude, ballet, and strategy in the process of defeating an opponent. In the professional ranks, ³sweet² athletes have been known by such sobriquets as Sugar Ray Robinson, Sugar Ray Leonard and Sugar Shane Mosley, each a great boxer in his own time. No one has captured the public imagination more than Muhammad Ali, who might be described as the most popular boxer “of all time,” if not the most popular athlete. His daughter, Laila, has brought a mix of glamour and mayhem to the world of women¹s professional boxing, as she is currently undefeated as heavyweight champion.

The term “sweet science” began with an English gentleman, Pierce Egan, who wrote a collection of articles regarding boxing. He wrote the articles in the publication, Boxiana, or Sketches of Modern Pugilism in 1824. Other sportswriters adopted the term and it was alternately referred to as “the sweet science of boxing” and “the sweet science of bruising.”

Athletes participating in amateur boxing generally have a different philosophy and a different approach to their sport. For many, “the manly art of self defense” is a starting point, as youngsters often become involved, the result of a desire for fitness, or of a response to bullying or as an adjunct to another sport. The focus in amateur boxing is to score points. Boxing gloves in the amateurs have a white section on the glove, used as a source of points, as that section of the glove makes contact with the opponent, however lightly. The possibility of injury is further reduced by the use of headgear and gloves that are far more padded than those used by professionals. Additionally, amateurs compete for three rounds, in contrast to their professional counterparts.

Boxers are as fit as any athletes in any sport. Aside from their ubiquitous roadwork, they also spend long hours in the gym, skipping, employing calisthenics, sparring, working on footwork and balance, timing and coordination, as well as pummeling heavy bags and speed bags. Professionals often use weights to develop strength, once considered taboo, as boxers were concerned about their becoming “muscle bound.” Modern training methods now include weights as an important component in fitness.

Controversy is never very far from the sport. For some, boxing is primitive, promoting violence, with the potential for head injuries. For others, it is well-regulated sport, particularly in the amateurs, in which youngsters develop fitness, discipline, self-reliance, confidence and mutual respect for the opponent. It doesn¹t appear that boxing is losing it appeal, and one can expect that the amateurs will have an enthusiastic following at the Winter Games.

The boxers in the Winter Games will compete at Marysville Elementary School. Forty-four male and female participants, aged 15 and 16, will be accompanied by 20 coaches and 10 officials.

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