TalkingBoxing Articles
An Open Letter To A Closed Mind
WED June 15, COYOTE DURAN - A favorite saying of mine is, "Knowledge is the enemy of
faith." Well, I picked up a new one after I read a recent column (Thank you,
Glaxor at Doghouse Boxing!) by D.J. Johnson of
Bowling Green, Ohio-based www.bgnews.com, an independent student
press website:
"Ignorance Breeds Prejudice." (You'll soon find out why.)
Johnson, an "opinion columnist", decided that it would be a good idea to write a scathing piece on Our Sport smack in the middle of one of the best years the sport has seen. I realize that after reading the article, it's very easy to get caught up in your emotions when you're a devoted fight fan but sometimes, cooler heads prevail. That's why I waited a day to respond with an open letter to Mr. Johnson.
It was worth it.
But there are some of you howlers who might not have read Mr. Johnson's column yet so before you read my response, I've provided for you Mr. Johnson's entire column. Word for word.
Enjoy......uh......I guess.
Boxing brings out the worst in society
By D.J. Johnson
OPINION COLUMNIST
June 09, 2005
Beating a man within inches of his life is hardly what I'd consider a sport.
Somehow, boxing has become extremely popular within the United States over the past several decades, and it has captivated millions of people all over the world.
We, as a country, have watched these thugs come from the gutters of society (where most of them belong) and become millionaire celebrities that we come to cherish and love.
Sad, isn't it?
Boxing is nothing more than a glorified fistfight. Two jacked-up nimrods go toe-to-toe to see which of them is the bigger goon, and when he has rendered his opponent unconscious, he is declared the winner.
Each successful punch and uppercut delivered from one man to another helps drive his own adrenaline through the roof until the assailant is hormonally invincible, thus serving as a threat to the livelihood of his opponent.
There's a very clear difference between boxing and contact sports.
The goal of football, for example, is to get the ball into the end zone as often as possible within four quarters. Similarly, you must square your opponent's shoulders on the mat in order to win a wrestling match.
So the contact that happens in these two sports is a byproduct of trying to accomplish the ultimate goal.
In boxing, the goal of each match is to stop your opponent from breathing. Literally, you win when your opponent is as close to dead as one can be.
Fear of killing his opponent puts a boxer at a disadvantage, and if the assailant is able to put his opponent into a coma, then he has done his job efficiently.
Boxing roots itself in the ills of American society. Americans engage in the more seneless violence (contrary to cause-based violence seen elsewhere in foreign countries) than any other people in the world. We are always looking for reasons as to why this is, and the answers are always under our nose.
We have a sanctioned activity in boxing that promotes violence in a very direct way. To become good at anything, one needs practice.
Boxing is no different, and so emulators look to their favorite celebrities to copy. Kids have now been desensitized to this ridiculous form of violence that they see on TV, making boxing part of their adolescent culture. (If Riddick Bowe can do it, then why can't they?)
This provides false hope for teenagers and young adults whose lifelong dreams have been put on hold by one factor or another.
The last thing a teenager needs is the cultivation of more adrenaline and male testosterone within his body. Now, instead of using logic to solve issues, how about throwing a left hook?
Another problem is that boxing is Las Vegas' favorite pastime. Millions of dollars are bet on boxing. In the eyes of many gamblers there is no difference between a boxing match and a game of craps. Two men are pit against one another to amuse the easily-amused.
Boxers are heinous role models, too.
Former heavyweight champion George Foreman can't get enough of himself and is so narcissistic that he named all of his children George Edward.
Former heavyweight champion Riddick Bowe is famous for kidnapping his wife and kids and served a considerable amount of prison time.
I could take up this entire BG News issue writing about the deficiencies of the most famed lunatic in the history of boxing, but Ludacris said it best when he said, "if you don't like me, you can take the Tyson approach and bite me."
I blame the fans. If they didn't support boxing, this mess wouldn't have penetrated our society to the degree it has. Yet, every triumphant $50 pay-per-view event contributes to the longevity of this disaster.
Without fan support, boxing would become extinct and back to the criminal market where it belongs.
There's nothing respectable about boxing at all. Mohammed Ali once said that he floats like a butterfly and stings like a bee. In his attempt to titivate boxing, his cute analogy has done nothing but allow boxing to find its place in American culture.
We have got to take a stand against this classless malarkey. We should force these boxers to do something more productive with their lives. The more we tolerate this, the more we support it. And the more we support it, the more hostile our society becomes.
And now, my response.
Wow.
For a college student, you aren't very smart, Mr. Johnson. But then again, I run into a lot of below-average thinkers at the college I attend so you're not a terribly unique case.
But you can rest assured that your same narrow view of the sport of boxing is shared by scores of equally ignorant know-it-alls who speak before thinking because they actually know very close to zero about what they opine about. I certainly hope you're starting to feel a semblance of comfort as a result of my understanding of your ilk.
So back to your vast knowledge of Our Sport:
Your assessment of fighters in general is indeed a curious one, Mr. Johnson. You refer to them as "thugs from the gutters of society (where most of them belong)."
I suppose it's safe to assume that you don't live by any fighters.
And that's a good thing, too. You wouldn't want some double holder of a Bachelor's Degree in Science in Recreation and a Master's Degree in Administrative Services like that nasty-ass heavyweight contender DaVarryl Williamson knocking on your door looking to slice you with some homemade shiv, right?
How about the dreadful Arturo Gatti? I'm sure that he'd love to do some catching up and throw together some impromptu drive-by shootings since he threw away so much time learning 4 different languages.
Don't forget about those awful bastards Vitali and Wladimir Klitschko? Good Heavens. It's bad enough one of them obtains a doctorate in sports medicine. But both of them?! Simply horrid. And then Vitali up and becomes World Heavyweight Champion. No justice, I tell you.
Next thing you know, that perennial jerk Sergio Mora will set aside his Nietzsche to give you a "power-wedgie"...... Icky.
Mr. Johnson, you mention these "thugs" becoming "millionaire celebrities that we come to cherish and love." This is quite the scoop considering that today only 2% of all active fighters make substantial purses. I guess the remaining 98% will have to make their millions the old-fashioned way: Give in to their inherent thug mentalities, rob innocent people, then kill them.
I guess that's why these men compete in this sport. It must be so frustrating to not get to beat the hell out of whoever you want while under the auspices of your local law enforcement organizations. So why not participate in a sport that has had stringent guidelines carved in stone since 1872? Mr. Johnson, on behalf of John Graham Chambers and John Sholto Douglas (look 'em up, News Boy.), I present to thee:
The Marquis of Queensbury Rules
- To be a fair stand-up boxing match, in a twenty-four foot ring, or as near that size as practicable.
- No wrestling or hugging allowed.
- The rounds to be of three minutes' duration, and one minute's time between rounds.
- If either man fall through weakness or otherwise, he must get up unassisted, ten seconds to be allowed him to do so, the other man meanwhile to return to his corner, and when the fallen man is on his legs the round is to be resumed, and continued until the three minutes have expired. If one man fails to come to scratch in the ten seconds allowed, it shall be in the power of the referee to give his award in favor of the other man.
- A man hanging on the ropes in a helpless state, with his toes off the ground, shall be considered down.
- No seconds or any other person to be allowed in the ring during the rounds.
- Should the contest be stopped by any unavoidable interference, the referee to name the time and place as soon as possible for finishing the contest; so that the match must be won and lost, unless the backers of both men agree to draw the stakes.
- The gloves to be fair-sized boxing gloves of the best quality, and new.
- Should a glove burst, or come off, it must be replaced to the referee's satisfaction.
- A man on one knee is considered down, and if struck is entitled to the stakes.
- No shoes or boots with springs allowed.
- The contest in all other respects to be governed by the revised rules of the London Prize Ring.
See? Even 133 years ago, we cared about rules and structure. Sadly enough, these rules cannot prevent brawls initiated by soccer hooligans or riots during NBA games.
To avoid all technicalities, I will admit that the aforementioned rules were put in place by the British and you, Mr. Johnson, have clearly stated that "boxing roots itself in the ill's of American society."
I've got to say that I'm certainly glad you cleared that up. I would really hate for anyone to distance professional boxing from its very close and equally evil cousins, Racism, Child Abuse and Domestic Terrorism. But you were gutsy enough to point this out, Mr. Johnson, so it must be right. Any sport that promotes "stopping your opponent from breathing" as a goal should be banned along with those who fulfilled that goal the best: Emile Griffith, Ray Mancini, Gabe Ruelas and George Khalid Jones. After all, their guilt and sorrow was a sham, right?
But truth be told, when you're right, you're right. Emulators do look to their favorite celebrities to copy. But the last time I looked, most witless drones were imitating Kurt Angle and The Heartbreak Kid while leaping off their garages onto flaming folding tables in their backyards more than they were imitating Oscar De La Hoya or even Mike Tyson. But you've gotta love "wrasslin"'!
'Cause you "must square your opponent's shoulders on the mat in order to win."
Of course, that's after you strip his girlfriend/valet naked and belt him with the roll of quarters you snuck into the ring with.
Mr. Johnson, you say that boxing is Las Vegas' favorite pastime. I'm rather confused by this statement because I always thought legalized gambling was. It takes me back to a very true story I recall. It had to do with a young girl around 10 or 11 who had been waiting all day for her mother to come home from work. It was the girl's birthday and being the product of a single parent home, her birthdays meant much more to her. Well, after several hours of waiting, the girl resigned to defeat believing that Mom probably had an overtime opportunity that she couldn't pass up and simply allowed the girl's birthday to slip her mind. The actual truth was that Mom had a gambling problem so terrible that she spent the whole night and then some losing all of the money she had originally set aside for her daughter's cake and presents.
And you say, "Millions of dollars are bet on boxing. In the eyes of many gamblers there is no difference between a boxing match and a game of craps."? That's amazing judging that millions of dollars are bet on many sports but I never once read where you attacked horseracing or football in your article.
Oh, and the moral to my recollection of that story, Mr. Johnson? Gambling addiction is an insidious disease that 99 times out of 100 has nothing to do with boxing. Chew on that next time you see a commercial for Celebrity Blackjack or some gambling instruction site and consider how enticing and encouraging they make gambling.
If you're still reading, Mr. Johnson (and I hope you are), let's touch upon how "heinous" these men are as role models. You, like everyone who's never actually taken the time to research what you choose to tear down, have only recognized those who've taken the peculiar path in life. Sure, what Riddick Bowe did was unacceptable and terribly criminal but he did his time and whether you accept it or not, Bowe was tried by our American justice system.
But to attack George Foreman, former 2-time world champion and lovable, cuddly pitchman and preacher of his church in Houston, Texas?! For naming his children "George"?! Good Heavens, summon the firing squad! Did you ever consider how he's raised his children before you made your character-crippling assessment? Great Spirit, Penn Gillette might be next on your list for naming his daughter "Moxie Crimefighter" (Yes, it's true.). Another lousy enemy of the state, yes?
But the fighters and those fans you blame for "contributing to the longevity of this disaster" called boxing press on. They've planned it all along because they realize fully that they're well on their way to penetrating our society like a thick X-Files-ish black oil ranking up there with skyrocketing gas prices and corrupt voting practices. They also do so just to irritate you, Mr. Johnson.
But perhaps in their numb, little boxing-loving minds, they're somewhat confused as well. Could it be that all of their assumptions about the sport they love so much are mere illusions that they hang on so desperately to?
After all, you did say "There's nothing respectable about boxing at all.", right?I guess that means that after every one of Fernando Vargas' annual Christmas toy giveaways, he rounds up all the little ones and takes back all their toys when the watchful eyes of the media aren't looking.
And damn that Teddy Atlas for The Dr. Theodore Atlas Foundation. How stupid was I to believe that Atlas would actually pass around a figurative hat among the boxing community in order to help the neediest of American families?
And if that doesn't take the cake, consider the worst of them all: Middleweight contender Anthony Bonsante. Why this guy has the audacity to work the graveyard shift at a Kmart so his two beautiful, well-adjusted children have food in their stomachs and clothes on their backs.
The nerve of some people.
But hey, they all can't be like your most famous example, Muhammad Ali (With a "u" and an "a", not an "o" and an "e", genius.). Then again, how many "jacked-up nimrods" do you know who would sacrifice 3 years of their livelihoods instead of killing strangers in a strange land?
Cute analogies aside, Mr. Johnson, boxing found its place in American culture long before Ali when legends like Joe Louis, Rocky Marciano and Henry Armstrong entered rings for pay.
But you do know best, "Mr. Opinion Columnist." That's why your ultimate solution for eliminating such a dreadful sport is just so..............entertaining.
"We have got to take a stand against this classless malarkey. We should force these boxers to do something more productive with their lives. The more we tolerate this, the more we support it. And the more we support it, the more hostile our society becomes."
You've definitely got the right idea, Mr. Johnson. Why, isn't that what America is all about? Totalitarian rule? Forcing adults to be productive the way you choose instead of the way they choose is a great "back-to-basics" approach. Old school, if you will. There's even an old-fashioned, no frills term for that idea: Slavery. It worked for thousands and thousands of blacks in the 18th and 19th centuries. Why not redirect participants of a sport that's very much minority-driven?
Hey, maybe if that works, we can re-tool other progressive ideas which are actually reek of "classless malarkey." Y'know. Nonsense like civil rights and a woman's right to vote or work in a "man's world." Heaven knows we don't have anything better to repair in this world.
But that's your opinion and I should respect it just as I would hope you would respect mine because I might disagree with what you have to say, but I'll defend to the death your right to say it. I'm simply making like Voltaire. I probably would respect you more for your bluntness but one of the problems I'm having with this whole tangent of yours is that you tried too hard. You simply picked a topic that has had its share of controversy, pretended like you knew something about it and ran with it. We all can't be Richard Roeper.
Matter-of-factly, (To paraphrase Lloyd Bentsen,) I've met Richard Roeper. You, Mr. Johnson, are no Richard Roeper.
Sometimes when you try too hard to be "cutting edge" and "controversial", you fall flat on your face. That's why cats like Dennis Miller and Denis Leary are so good at what they do: They were born ingenious smartasses. You're pretty much a dull parody of one.
But that's OK, too. You don't need this gig to get attention. Just do well in school, get a decent job and contribute to society like I did. Don't try to cure it with accusations and fallacies like you currently do. But fair play to you for giving it (No pun intended.) "the old college try", little fella!
That's pretty much it from me, Mr. Johnson. I hope you've learned a little something about a wonderful, awe-inspiring sport that has produced some of the finest people I've ever had the privilege of personally meeting, interviewing and writing about. And yes, Mr. Johnson, many of them are fantastic role models. Ask their families, for starters.
As a whole, I wish the staff of BG News and your campus good health and fortune. You have a terrific website and I can only imagine the fine folks who work hard to contribute to and develop it are (and should be) incredibly proud and I personally invite your community, fight fans or not, to visit www.talkingboxing.com and www.doghouseboxing.com, the two websites I write for. 2005 has been a magnificent year for Our Sport.
Oh, and one more thing, Mr. Johnson, lest I forget:
Please go fuck yourself.
Very sincerely yours,
Coyote Duran
Talking Boxing.com/Doghouse Boxing.com
Coyote Duran can be reached at coyoteduran@talkingboxing.com
