MUSTANGS BOXING

Depicted on the walls of tombs at Beni Hasan Egypt, dating from about 2000 to 1500 bc, boxing is one of the oldest form of competition. Bouts were fought without regard for weight differentials and without interruption. A match only ended when a fighter lost consciousness or raised his hands in defeat.

In early 18th century England, boxing, with the aid of the royals, (in the form of betting or prizes) became organized. In 1743, Jack Broughton, after delivering a fatal blow in a bout, drew up the first set of rules. Although a bout still ended only in knockout or resignation, Broughton’s rules moderated the sport and served as the basis of the Queensbury rules, drawn up in 1867, which called for boxing gloves, a limited number of three minute rounds, the forbidding of gouging and wrestling, the 10 second knockout and various other factors of modern boxing.

In recent decades, amateur boxing has taken many steps to ensure safety and objective judging. The Golden Gloves tournament has long been a stepping stone for young fighters, but the Olympics are the most visible forum for amateurs. Olympic boxers wear eight ounce gloves and padded headgear, and fight just three rounds of three minutes. Judges use electronic devices to record the scoring punches the determine the winner.

The behavior of the athletes both in and out of the gym directly reflects on the boxing program and the people involved with it, both athlete and coach. It is imperative that everyone involved with this program represent it and those involved in a positive manner. We expect our people to set the hallmark in sportsmanship, conduct, respect, and overall behavior. The young men are to be gentleman and the girls, young ladies. These attributes are to be displayed at all boxing events, in school, and in day to day interactions. There are rules and guidelines that are enforced by the coaches and should be reinforced by the parents.

In 1986, the Johns Hopkins Medical Institute began conducting a comprehensive study to determine if amateur boxing poses any risks to the brain. Four hundred boxers from six different cities, all of similar ages, social backgrounds, educational levels, and lifestyle habits were studied and the results were conclusive. To date, it is most thoroughly organized medical study on amateur boxing. Their findings showed that there was no indication of motor skill impairment, slurred speech, or memory loss. There was no measurable damage sustained to the neurological system found in the seven year study.

Boxing is a proven delinquency deterrent. The positive impact that boxing has on youth is astounding and documented. Once the athlete is involved, the effect of a structured, organized program is almost immediate. Boxing gives one a positive release of energy and frustration. The feeling that one could be the victor in an altercation is often questioned with if one should. Their boxing abilities are tested and proven in the gym therefore, there is no need to prove anything in the street. Also, knowing that there are consequences for fighting outside the gym is a deterrent in itself.

The determination and discipline boxing inspires are the life lessons that are sorely lacking in today’s society beginning with our youth. Getting back to the basics and instilling the values and moral principals that our country’s youth need can begin at the core of their interest-through sport and mentoring, praising and recognition, accountability and motivation and most of all, support of the community. In the ring, ones performance is based solely on how disciplined they were in preparation. The personal goals one sets and how well they applied themselves, allow them to reap the rewards of success.