Page 110 - Doug Werner Boxer's Start-Up

Chapter Eleven

time fans have always wanted to see fierce, unfettered
combat --- knockdowns and knockouts are the ultimate
goals. Boxers don’t wear headgear and their gloves are
lighter and more lethal than those of the amateurs.
Safety is certainly less of a concern.

And then there’s the money,the gambling,the criminals,
the corrupt politicians and the fighters on the take.
Prizefighting has always been strongly influenced if not
controlled by darker forces and oddly enough (this is the
21st century, isn’t it?) it doesn’t look like that’ll ever
change.Some have suggested that the corruption is actu-
ally an integral part of boxing’s appeal --- like it adds
drama and color or some such thing.The theory makes
a little sense. Gangsters have influenced mainstream
fashion, language and entertainment since day one.
Rubbing shoulders with the bad boys is sorta cool.
Sometimes. I guess.

On the other hand, amateur boxing is highly organized
with a strong tradition of sportsmanship (we are talking
Olympic style boxing here) with no monetary gain.
Overshadowed by prizefighting, the public is hardly
aware of its existence outside of the Olympic Games
every four years (where so many of the celebrated first
shone --- Ali, Foreman, Frazier, Patterson, Leonard,
Holyfield ... ). But it’s there, all right. And there are all
kinds of great things about it: upright organizations and
contests, certified coaching, outstanding athletic
achievements and people having fun.

Champs
Whether or not something can be or should be done
with the pros is outside the scope of this book.

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