Joan Beck`s column on boxing is one of the most flawed I`ve ever read. She doesn`t know what the object of the sport really is. And that is ”too land a clean punch while avoiding being hit.” The object is not ”knocking an opponent unconscious.”
The knockout is one of the most appealing aspects of the sport, for no other contest can end with such sudden, decisive finality. Boxing matches that go the distance and are decided by judges are the subject of endless controversy. But when a boxing match ends in a knockout, who won and who lost is obvious.
Ms. Beck states, ”There are better methods of self-defense than fistfighting.” Yes, there is the option of carrying a gun, but that`s against the law and impractical. But in an unarmed confrontation, when there is no way out, fistfighting is still the best option. Ever since man began walking upright and lost prehensile use of their big toes, it`s been instinctive to use the fists for defense.
I`m the eldest of four boys in our family, so it was my responsibility to protect my younger brothers from bullies in the neighborhood. Ms. Beck has no right to insinuate that I wasn`t a ”hero” to my brothers or anyone else I helped out while they were being beaten up.
A tough, yet fair and clean fighter like Muhammed Ali is the best role model anyone could hope to have for their sons!
