Why are boxers so often referred to as "Thugs" by mikeyd09

I was watching a show recently that went into great detail about boxing and how it has affected those who have been in the ring and those who have only watched from outside the ring.

I myself have been in the ring and the adrenaline you get from the crowd even if it’s a small venue makes you feel unstoppable not because your Rocky Balboa simply because you realize all your training and hard work has been worth something.

Boxing is like anything in life the more you put in the more you get out, The like’s of Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao, haven’t got the status that they have earned now a days of being the best pound for pound fighters without working hard at it. I know there have been boxers that may top them but being younger than most people that have seen the likes of Ali, Sugar Rey Robinson, Rocky Graziano, Sonny Liston … You get the picture.

These guys where fighting when the world was different to it is now racism and war along with many other politics was basically all that mattered but they continued regardless not because they where fighting over colour or nationality but simply its what they loved to do.. So tell me where they thugs?

Some people just see the man in the black vest often referred to as “The Baddest Man on the Planet” Mike Tyson - read the papers and then begin to judge. Footballers are in the papers all the time either for an affair or wanting more money but due to the fact they don’t stand in a ring its all swept under the carpet. A boxer only does the same with throwing a punch as David Beckham does with a free kick or Rafael Nadal does with a serve and that is show there technique! Sure a punch may hurt more but surely the opposition is only meant to show their defensive technique back? Maybe it is different but pain comes in different formulas weather it is  physically or mentally its still your pride at the end of the day.

Boxing is a sport that requires control a steady mind set and mostly dedication some people refer to it as almost being an art some refer to it as 2 men who just want to punch each other in the head for 12 round’s because they think they are hard.

If you ever get chance to watch some of the footwork by the likes of Ali or Oscar De La Hoya you will see what I mean, Its also about physicking the opponent out before the fight but within reason some boxers prefer to gloat about decapitating people and wear it on there shirts only to look a fool after the fight. That is where it can often get a bad name Ali was the greatest for it not only would he frustrate the opponent with his words of wisdom to them but also about himself “float like a butterfly sting like a bee”.

 I can understand why some people see boxers as thugs I can also see why some people bad mouth the sport some do abuse the system they will use the skills they have learnt in the wrong way. Or some people in the game will think that in order to be the best you need to be bigger than the very best, Its not needed train hard and the results will pay off for themselves if you have never done boxing training but you would like to start then I’m sure there are gyms in you’re area. 

 There is a find my nearest tab coming soon to the top of the page, which will have a list of gyms and physiotherapy’s all over the UK take a look to see where your nearest is!

 I hope you’ve enjoyed the read please leave a comment with your opinion.