THE BOXER (and leave Pacman alone)

“In the clearing stands a boxer, and a fighter by his trade

And he carries the reminders of every glove that laid him down or cut him, till he cried out in his anger and his shame,I am leaving, I am leaving, but the fighter still remains”

- Simon and Gurfunkel (The Boxer)

I don’t think there’s a profession that is as emulative of life as the boxing profession is. Every blow, in the head reflects the blows of life. Every punch in the face, is very much like the echoes of pain that touches all of us. My grandfather who was an amateur boxer, once told me that those 8 ounces gloves, after a few rounds in a fight weighs like 50 pounds on each hand. What is most admirable are the fight in these men, watch a boxing fight, almost always, when a man gets knocked out, he will always try to stand up and fight back, no matter how pointless it may be sometimes.

How about the challenges that these men when taking on a fighter each time?  The height difference of Hagler and Hearns, the strength of youth of Foreman against Ali, weight classes between Pacman and Delahoya, the opposing styles of Ali, Foreman,Frazier ---almost always, there is a big UNCERTAINTY. And these men, faces them straight in the eye. With it they carry in their shoulders their race (Ali), their nation (Hatton, Pacquiao), their state, religion, beliefs and values.

In the present day, we can see the effects of boxing to its finest men after their retirement. Think Parkinson’s, head trauma. Not to mention the recent boxing deaths, that 8CN just posted for 2008. For a country’s honor, for your momentary happiness, for a moment of triumph, these men are willing to risk it all. A boxer’s time in the ring is very limited---and the damages can be life long.  Let the guys take their time, to negotiate and get the most of what they can in each fight. So leave the Pacman alone if he thinks he deserves more of the purse. For risking it all and giving his people hope, he earned it. And the same argument can be said for Hatton.