I’ve always been torn about the boxing show. On the one hand, it’s undeniably exciting — my heart races when two fighters enter the ring, each punch landing with an electricity that keeps the fans hooked. But on the other hand, I find myself concerned about the true price these athletes pay, physically and mentally. It’s hard to forget the brutal nature of a sport that encourages knocking down an opponent with head shots.
According to Al Jazeera reportboxing’s popularity soared in 2024, with “the extraordinary number of eyeballs, online search queries and audience figures on viewing platforms” cementing its status as one of the most watched sports in the world Meanwhile, Dr. Ejaz Shamim, a neurosurgeon and president of the Kaiser Permanente Mid-Atlantic Research Institute, paints a very different picture of what boxing does to the human brain. “Compared to other contact sports, boxing is known to have some of the highest concussion ratesDr. Shamim said Al Jazeera. “A concussion occurs when the brain is pushed back and forth and hits the inside of the skull. This causes damage to the brain and occurs whenever a boxer is hit in the head. Any concussive event is similar to traumatic brain injury (TBI). With any TBI, there is irreversible brain damage.“
He adds that “it is thought that in boxing, an individual receives a concussion approximately every 12.5 minutes of fighting time alone. The protective head doesn’t help much with the concussion. Internal trauma to the brain occurs whenever a boxer is punched in the head, with or without external head protection..” He feels that makes me worry, especially when I remember cheering during a fight as an opponent is stunned by a direct hit.
The hard statistics back it up. “According to the Manuel Velazquez Collection that documents deaths in boxing, an average of 13 boxers are killed in the ring each year.“, he notes Al Jazeera. Separately, the Association of Ringside Doctors found at least 339 deaths in the sport from 1950 to 2007, with a “higher percentage in lower weight classes”. It’s amazing to think that those fighters, many chasing dreams of fame or financial stability, could risk their lives every time they step between the ropes.
Still, boxing has its defenders. Sports journalist Philip O’Connor said Al Jazeera“People may enter boxing to vent anger and frustration, but they quickly learn that these things have little or no place in the training gym or in the ring..” He further explained, “After a lifetime of watching boxing and various martial arts and practicing more than my fair share, I can say that from my perspective, the mental and physical benefits far outweigh the risks, but we must always strive to improve safety and remove or reduce the risk as much as possible.” This balance – between the discipline and community boxing can provide and the real damage boxing sustains – is what keeps the debate alive.
Despite everything, the popularity of the sport is hard to deny. “In terms of global average popularity, boxing in 2024 is the fifth most popular sport in the world and the most popular combat sport.,” said Kamilla Swart-Arries, an associate professor at Hamad Bin Khalifa University in Qatar. Al Jazeera. She noted that “it has attracted legendary figures who have transcended even their sport to become global cultural icons.” Indeed, icons like Mike Tyson continue to captivate crowds even in the later stages of their careers, as they are drawn to the spotlight – and the fans follow.
Every time I watch a boxing match now, I can’t help but feel a whiff of worry. While I applaud the courage and skill of the fighters, I also wonder about the next-day headaches, the cumulative hits, and the potential for permanent damage. Boxing’s unique blend of art and aggression has kept it alive for centuries, and it’s unlikely to disappear anytime soon. But as medical insights become clearer and the injury count mounts, the future of the sport may depend on whether we, as fans and governing bodies, decide that even more rigorous safety measures – and perhaps a deeper cultural reflection – they are worth exploring. For the health of the fighters, I certainly hope not.
