I have for many years believed that it is wrong to describe as a "sport" two men (or women) aiming blows to each other's head and upper body and hoping for a "knock out". I can never understand how my dad, who normally abhorred violence, would nevertheless be quite happy to sit and watch the most brutal of boxing matches - ditto my granddad, husband and son (my daughter feels like me). It seems to be more a male thing - though, of course, I also know women who enjoy watching it and who think it is a perfectly legitimate sport.
Whilst men of all educational backgrounds may take up amateur boxing in their teens, through school or clubs, I'm not sure that there are many trained barristers, accountants or the like who decide to pursue it as a professional career. It seems to me that it is predominantly young people who have come from less advantaged backgrounds and who have little in the way of qualifications that are attracted to boxing as a way of earning some money.
The argument is often put forward that other sports, such as motor racing, rugby, football, etc., cause greater numbers of serious injuries than boxing. That is so, but such injuries are an unfortunate by-product of the sport rather than the primary purpose of it.
Apparently, most doctors say that head guards and other supposed safety measures will not protect a boxer who is being regularly subjected to heavy blows to the head. It is also said that something like 80% of boxers will over a period of time acquire varying degrees of brain damage.
