I agree with people who think that boxing today is not a
good sport. The boxers in the ring are definitely trying to throw good punches
that if possible will knock his opponent out. I don’t think that it is okay to
hurt each other in the name of sport. It is known that constant pounding of the
head by the gloves can cause injury in the brain. I believe that each of the
boxers in the ring is creating their own karma. More so, if there is some sort
of vengeance or anger while playing the sport. The audience can possibly be creating
their own karma too. Imagine the audience taking pleasure watching the boxers
throwing punches to each other, even yelling and coaching them to give a good
punch.
I myself was a victim of this sort of activity while
watching the recent Pacquiao-Marquez fight. I was even yelling, “Give him a
hook!”. Then suddenly, I began to realize that what I was doing and what was
going on in the atmosphere was not good. I have somewhat forgotten that I once
had a concept that boxing is not a good sport. This is the reason why I don’t
usually watch boxing. Then I became silent momentarily and ask for forgiveness
and leave everything to God knowing that he and his cosmic law is the ultimate
arbiter of what was going on in the ring. When the game is over, I surmised
that it was Pacquiao’s karma considering that he commented in an interview that
he will focus on making the fight short. That means he had an intention to
knock Marquez out. Besides, he had already so many fights which could have
incurred unto him a number of negative thoughts, feelings as well as punches
against his opponents. And the cycle of negative karma has now returned to him.
Perhaps, in order to make boxing a better sport, the boxers
in the ring should wear a sort of protective helmet like the one they use
during practice with their sparring partner. And maybe, also wear a protection
to the body. That way, no one will be knocked out; it will only be a matter of
who gets the highest points wins. Boxing will then be an exhibition of skills,
which is beautiful.
I believe, the sport of boxing today is contrary to the spiritual
teaching of compassion and mercy. Imagine having fun seeing one person battering
another in the name of sport. There is definitely no compassion in it. I think,
this is also true to other similar kind of sport.
