Boxing is Not Dead

The brutal sport of boxing is breathing once again. As if to ridicule sports enthusiasts who have ruled out boxing as a dying sport, it finds its way sneaking into our daily lives in every form perceivable. Hate boxing and you'll forever be infested with plagues such as: sports pages on newspapers delivering knock out news, internet reviews of HBO mega fights sales, the television featuring the Mayweathers sing I'm Too Sexy, a gigantic Manny Pacquiao billboard in its towering glory, or even suffer from your own kids' nunchuk swinging on the Wii in an attempt to floor the legendary King Hippo and be able to get a clean view of his oversized underwear as reward.

Boxing is simply everywhere.


Boxing legend Henry Armstrong (right)
Image by otisarchives4

To Filipinos, things are a little different. Boxing has always been a staple to every Pinoy much like cheap instant noodle is to a lazy and hasty condominium bachelor. The sport may not be every person's cup of tea but is inevitably influenced by it one way or another. The subliminal imprint of boxing in our culture makes it easy to explain why everyone has gloves laced on their heads. The Pinoys are blessed since we love the sport of boxing and need not suffer from the curse of living with it.

We enjoy it.

With the emergence of Filipino fighters, Pacquiao and Donaire atop the list, boxing has brought a sense of pride to our country. We as a nation know our abilities and capabilities and never had doubts in ourselves. However, the recognition rightfully deserved by many Pinoys come as slow moving as a drunk sloth. Our countrymen celebrate on each win, and each success feeds millions in terms of hunger for recognition. A recognition well deserved.

So, boxing may be brutal in nature but what in the real world isn't? Besides, it is not all about rabbit punching, headbutting, rib breaking, ear biting, low blows, annoying clinches and so on. It is also about humility, sportsmanship, pride, whatnot- you name it. This is big business with a lot at stake. A fight for glory. A mere substitute to a real war. Let fists fly and maybe, just maybe, bombs and missiles will be put aside.

Let it live and stop the nonsense Boxing is Dead altercation. It's no punk. It's no dead.