In theory, punching the face and body of a rigorously trained athlete is like a profession with a very high rate of alienation among its participants. Instead, it seems to have an addictive effect. Fighters retire too late at a near-perfect rate. Regardless of their skill level. If Muhammad’s desire to box Ali could outlast his greatness, so could anyone. You’d think more boxers would end up like Sonny Edwards, admitting the sport beat them to the 28-year-old.
But many fighters have always been interested in the sport. In 2004, Lennox Lewis Talk thoughtfully about leaving boxing behind.–Should I go back and fight again?”…“But I also know that this is the drug of the sport. There is always another fight and there is always someone to fight.” Of course, he would still be attacked if he didn’t rematch Vitali Klitschko.
Then there’s Lewis in 2024, at age 58. Donald McRae of The Guardian“I will 100% consider (fighting again).” The drug does not spare even those who are aware of its tricks.
When it’s time to retire Boxers often ignore their own advice. Trainer– Tyson Fury, still active at the elite level after fighting hard for at least his career, isn’t listening. Paris, his wifeor himself
Boxing has a clear exit ramp – stop boxing – but there are too many dangerous turns onto the highway. The money shines The feeling of walking onto the stage for a big fight is like being at the center of the universe. The old self, perhaps the fighter’s identity, lasts forever. ThereWaiting to slip in like a well-worn boxing glove.
As we know Boxing poses serious physical risks. It is too dangerous for a fighter to be left alone after retirement. They might come back. Allow it. Mike Tyson It’s the latest cautionary tale: There have always been committees that are more willing to hunt down fighters than protect them. Parody becomes real if you let it go.
Planning for retirement during a boxing career may not be compatible with focusing on every fight. But the truth is that many boxers find themselves unprepared for the end of their careers. Even people who walk away at the right time, like Andre Ward, and boxers like him are so rare that his timing stands out as less than ideal. Talk about the challenges of survival. Ward, now 40 years old, recently returned to fight Jake Paul and Stephen A. Smith.
There are many organizations looking for retired boxers. But there are some things that need to be improved. The California Professional Boxers Pension Fund offers financial assistance to boxers over 50 years of age. The fund has assisted a number of retired boxers. But the information was not sufficiently informed to many people.The IBF began providing special assistance to the Retired Boxers Fund in 1993 with the goal of supporting retired boxers. And the WBC is proud to offer the Jose Sulaiman Boxer Fund, which the WBC website describes as the core values of “(Committed) to provide holistic support Responding to the various needs of boxers This includes mental health resources. educational opportunities and mentoring programs to help them move beyond their careers in the industry.”
It is this latter point that provides mental assistance to the fighters. It’s something that seems to be missing on a large scale. If boxing were a drug Money is not enough to protect former fighters from it. Fighters must prepare for retirement if they are going to stick comfortably or not at all. They need to know how to make up for the greatness of boxing in their lives. They must have a support system. and must not be allowed to punch through any point We can debate At that point I think we can all agree that Mike Tyson is over it.
Boxing is too inclined to accept everything a boxer has to give. But after a while deserted them. Image of retired Matthew Saad Muhammad joining the battle of Hopkins-Trinidad Only through the help of Tris Dixon, editor-in-chief of BoxingScene, and not through his boxing dynasty. come into mind– The once proud Evander Holyfield was beaten by a novice puncher against his former enemy Tyson. Stumbled and fell while walking to the ring to fight Jake Paul.
Boxer needs more help Top-flight fighters always have an incentive to come back for the big payday. The little fighter would return to get a small bag. They need a reason not to come back. That means regular therapy or other psychological help. This is to ensure that they can resist their boxing addiction. That means helping to absorb non-boxing work. That means the commission unequivocally rejects punishing fighters who should not be in the ring. And that means financial stability. Boxing must provide those services.
Until sports and organizations do so, retirement will remain temporary for too many participants.
