The Truth Bout Boxing

By Ibrar Arshaid: I remember when I was younger and I had my first taste of boxing, it was at the local boys boxing club that was located around the corner from my home. My first thought about the whole experience of sparring and the enduring training regime was ‘Damn this is tough’. From that day I have always had respect for all boxers. Starting out as your average youth, boxing develops these kids into Men who carry themselves with pride and respect, and in the ring they showcase their art.

Some will come from the roughest backgrounds and would be motivated for a better life, some will come from a better background but will be driven by the self respect that life has taught them, nonetheless all of these fighters come from different backgrounds, with a different motivation and a different goal.

One undeniable thing is that these men perform in front of us the fans; they make us their third wind, their final throw of the dice, their undying passion. They open up to us like we have known them for years, they introduce us to their families, and they reveal to us their love. Yet there are a lot of us who disrespect these men, a lot of us who will discredit their achievements, a lot of us who will deny their gift. Tell me, when you entered an arena with thousands of fans screaming, in an alcohol-fuelled atmosphere, some wishing pain upon you, some wishing for glory for you but all burning holes in you with their visions.

When did you step into the ring staring across one corner to the other looking into the eyes of another man who is trained just as you are… to inflict a beating on your skull and you ribs on his path to victory. When did you fall to the canvas and have millions of people hoping that the left hook that connected with your jaw disconnecting and disrupting all electrical impulses travelling from your Central Nervous System to your legs, will keep you unable to get to your feet. I’ll tell you when this happened to you…Never! (And neither to me either)

Whether it’s Floyd Mayweather who you undyingly hate, or if it is Carl Froch, or if it is Antonio Margarito, before you put your words of arrogance across please remember that all these men dedicate the best of their days for our entertainment. Just because you have watched the Gatti-Ward trilogy doesn’t make you a boxing expert, just because you’ve seen Prince Naseem Hamed fly into the ring on a flying carpet does not mean your opinion counts, just because you learned about Muhammad Ali in your history classes does not mean you witnessed his magic. We as boxing fans need to hold more respect for these men. If one fighter makes a mistake in his career we speak hatred towards him, but when one fighter excels we praise him above all.

Roy jones Jnr was tested positive for steroids, we gave him the benefit of doubt and continued to love him. Shane Mosley admitted using BALCO steroids in 2003 and continued his career without crucifixion. Antonio Margarito is ACCUSED by NAZIM RICHARDS of having an illegal handwrap. Margarito has come out and has said he has had no idea of any plaster being used in his wraps. His trainer has taken all responsibility. The California State Athletic Commission has yet not concluded the whole situation.

Already we have cursed and written out of boxing history the rise of Margarito. We have discredited his amazing and well deserved win over Cotto. I don’t want to be a defender of what is wrong or incorrect. But the truth can only come out when the CSAC have concluded the case. I want to give Margarito the benefit of doubt and believe if there is was something illegal going on he did know about it.

He does not wrap his own hands. And certainly he wouldn’t expect his team to wrap it illegally. If the plaster decked Cotto’s face in then I wonder why he did not deck in Paul Williams face who was hit several times, or why he did not deck in Daniel Santos’ face. I just feel it is an easy way to build momentum and justify Cotto’s loss. I DO NOT KNOW THE TRUTH I’m just giving u a different thought.

Before the end of this I want to share something with you. In Oceania there is a place called Solomon Islands, in the jungles when the villagers need to cut a tree for farming, they don’t simply cut the trees. Instead, they stand around the tree and they start shouting at the tree and cursing the tree. In a couple of days the tree gets weak…and dies by itself.

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