WHEN the story broke that Conor Benn’s failed drug test had been covered up and his fight with Chris Eubank Jr should go ahead, there was an outbreak of media hysteria.
A few of my more illustrious sportswriting colleagues claimed boxing is the cesspit of sport, lower than a snake’s belly, and should be banned.
Boxing’s sordid saga of attempting to keep the Chris Eubank Jr vs Conor Benn on still leaves a sour taste in the mouth
Football has its own league of shame, including ex-Fifa chief Sepp Blatter and former Uefa president Michel Platini being banned for eight years
Those who desperately tried to salvage the Benn-Eubank clash were dangerously wrong and their actions indefensible.
Along with former world champions Barry McGuigan, Carl Frampton, Tony Bellew and many others, I believe any fighter caught taking performance-enhancing drugs ought to be banned for life.
But when it comes to dope scandals, the Noble Art comes way down the pecking order compared to other sports.
So many track and field athletes have been found to have been popping pills, it is a wonder the Olympics aren’t sponsored by Boots.
Drug-taking is rife in cycling, rugby, swimming and weightlifting. In horseracing, it’s arguable as to who ingests the most dope — the horses or the jockeys.
You would have thought the wholesome sport of gymnastics, with its emphasis on youth, would be squeaky-clean.
Yet it has a horrendous history of girls being mentally, physically and sexually abused.
On Tuesday it was revealed 37 former gymnasts — including Olympians — are seeking financial compensation for alleged physical and emotional abuse.
Even cricket doesn’t escape censure as it has been seriously tainted by ball-tampering, match-fixing, betting scams and racism.
But when it comes to sin and sleaze, it makes me wonder if football’s ancestral home must be either Sodom or Gomorrah.
Premier League players have been discovered indulging in the kind of vile X-rated sexual behaviour that would make a pornographer blush.
Some have become club managers and respected TV pundits since they were guilty of hiding cameras to film sex acts with women — and these are men who are hero-worshipped by kids.
Others have got their kicks by dogging — having sex with strangers in car parks. Quite a few have faced rape charges.
The game is riddled with racism — on and off the field.
And violence is never far from the surface. It has been reported 380 bans had been issued for players and coaches for attacking match officials at amateur matches.
Last Saturday the Merseyside Youth Football League cancelled all fixtures because of “multiple incidents of inappropriate and threatening behaviour”.
Bribery and corruption are not unknown among those who run the game — Sepp Blatter, president of ruling body Fifa and Michel Platini, president of Uefa, were each banned for eight years for a conflict of interest.
There have been so many question marks over next month’s World Cup taking place in Qatar — a country with an appalling human rights record.
And is there anyone outside Newcastle proud of the fact they are now owned by Saudis?
But perhaps by far the most infamous entries on football’s crime sheet are the dozens of cases over many years of sexual abuse inflicted on youth players by their coaches at several of this country’s most famous clubs.
By the end of last year, 16 coaches had been charged with historical sexual abuse offences against boys — 14 were convicted and 11 were jailed.
Boxing a cesspit sport? I rest my case, M’lud.
Frequently Asked Questions
How can I learn how to defend myself against boxing?
Boxing is one of the oldest martial arts known to man. Boxing is also one of most difficult sports to learn. You can’t just punch someone and knock him out. You must know how to defend yourself from punches and kicks.
Finding a nearby boxing gym is the first step. Once you have found a suitable place to train you’ll need some gloves or headgear. The gloves protect your hands, while the headgear protects you. You’ll also need to wear shorts and a T-shirt.
Once you have everything you need, you will need to warm up. Begin slowly, then gradually increase your speed. Once you feel comfortable, go for it and spar with another boxer. Don’t be disappointed if you do not succeed. Don’t worry if you miss. Just keep trying until it works.
What can I do to improve my punching?
Boxing is all in the form of punching. If you want to be a better boxer, you must master punch technique. These tips will help improve your punching skills.
- Keep your head high. Your head should always be up while throwing punches.
- Punch from the shoulder. If you are going to throw a punch, aim for the shoulder and not your chin.
- Your feet are your focus. Try not to move your feet when you’re punching.
- Give short, fast punches. Your body will be tired faster if you are throwing longer punches.
- Don’t forget about defense! Remember to stop incoming punches.
- Use your elbows. Elbows are an effective way to defend yourself.
- Learn how to use your legs. Your legs can save you from getting knocked over if you know how to use them properly.
- Always practice. You will feel tired when you finish training. Keep going. It takes practice to get good at anything.
- Have fun Enjoy what you’re doing.
- Keep your eyes open and take deep, slow breaths. Correct breathing will help you feel stronger and more energetic.
- Relax. Don’t worry about making errors. Don’t worry about making mistakes. Instead, focus on learning new skills.
- Be patient. Boxing is not easy. It takes time to master your skills.
- Never stop learning. As long as there is room for improvement, there will be room for improvement.
- Music is a great way to relax. Listening to music can help you relax during training.
- View videos of professional fighters. It can inspire you to do better.
- Read books. Reading books can help you better understand boxing techniques.
- It is important to take breaks. Sometimes, you need to take a break. Go outside to play soccer or basketball.
- Find a coach. Coaching can make you more efficient at boxing.
- Push-ups: Push-ups are great for endurance and strength building.
How long does it take to learn boxing?
Learning boxing takes around 3 months. This includes learning how to do footwork, stand, and balance. It’s important to remember that boxing is not only about throwing punches. You must also learn to block and dodge attacks.
Statistics
- You want to be running at roughly 75-80% of your top speed..5 mile slow, easy recovery jog at the end.[6]X Research source 2Mix in long runs, shadow boxing, and short sprints on non-interval days. (wikihow.com)
- This article received 39 testimonials and 89% of readers who voted found it helpful, earning it our reader-approved status. (wikihow.com)
External Links
expertboxing.com
en.wikipedia.org
How To
How to setup a Boxing Gym at my House
How to setup a boxing gym is a common question asked every day by people who want to start their own business. People often ask what amount they should spend on equipment, what size space is needed, how many people do they need, etc. The cost of starting a business can be affected by many factors. Some of these factors are location, type and number of employees, budget, competition, etc. Most people don’t realize the importance to have good equipment. Without the proper equipment, you can’t get started. Here are some suggestions to help you start a gym for boxing at home.
- You need a place where you can train. It could be a garage, basement or spare room. Even the living room will work. The only requirement is that there must be enough space to set up the equipment.
- A punching bag or two is necessary. This is very important because without a punching bag you won’t be able to practice punches. It could be anything you like, from a simple plastic bag to a sturdy leather bag. Make sure that it is big enough to fit you comfortably. You will also want it to last for many years.
- You will need a mat. Matting is used to protect floors or walls while practicing kicks. Matting is typically made from foam rubber. They can be bought online or offline stores.
- A bench is necessary. Bench is used to support your body while doing pushups. These can be bought online or in stores. You should ensure that you select the right size.
- You need a speedbag. Speedbags can be used to improve hand movement speed. They can be purchased online or in stores. Buy quality products that will last a long time.
- Headgear is necessary. For sparring, you will need to use a headgear. You can buy it from either online shops or offline stores. You should ensure that the product you select fits your face well.
- Gloves are required. Gloves are needed to protect your hands during sparring sessions. These gloves can be bought online or in stores. Find the right pair for you.
- A mouthpiece is necessary. Mouthpieces protect your teeth when sparring takes place. These mouthpieces can be bought online or in stores. Choose the right pair for you.
- You need a ring. Rings can be used for simulating real fights. They can be purchased offline or online stores. You should ensure that the padding is on both sides to prevent injuries during sparring sessions.
- You will need a towel. To wipe off sweat after any workout, you will need to use towels. They can either be purchased at your local sporting good store or online. Make sure that they’re soft and absorbent.
