Thread: Is it possible for a boxer to be racist?

Just a general question. Was having a debate with my friends about whether it was possible for someone to be a doctor and be racist, and I got to thinking about boxing. Sure you may have all sorts of views before a fight, but you go 12 rounds with someone and hurt each other then a strange respect arrives.
Its the same sort of respect that true boxing fans show each, especially others who have been in the ring, at whatever level! You know what it takes to get into the ring, and what it feels like. True boxing fans will never call another boxer a coward.

i agree
but tell that to James Toney

Originally Posted by sanj16

Just a general question. Was having a debate with my friends about whether it was possible for someone to be a doctor and be racist, and I got to thinking about boxing. Sure you may have all sorts of views before a fight, but you go 12 rounds with someone and hurt each other then a strange respect arrives.
Its the same sort of respect that true boxing fans show each, especially others who have been in the ring, at whatever level! You know what it takes to get into the ring, and what it feels like. True boxing fans will never call another boxer a coward.

Boxers are human. They have human feelings and some are racist. Ask Sam Langford

Of course a boxer can be a racist. They're no different from anyone else, there's probably all sorts of people from doctors to dinnerladies who might harbour some racist views. Doesn't mean that it should interfere with their work.

Originally Posted by sanj16

Just a general question. Was having a debate with my friends about whether it was possible for someone to be a doctor and be racist, and I got to thinking about boxing. Sure you may have all sorts of views before a fight, but you go 12 rounds with someone and hurt each other then a strange respect arrives.
Its the same sort of respect that true boxing fans show each, especially others who have been in the ring, at whatever level! You know what it takes to get into the ring, and what it feels like. True boxing fans will never call another boxer a coward.

good point... i'd never call Audley Harrison a coward... compared to other boxers he lacks bottle though but I can say that because I can compete...

but yeah... getting through the ropes is hard. after a few fights it gets easier but it never gets truely easy

Originally Posted by sanj16

Just a general question. Was having a debate with my friends about whether it was possible for someone to be a doctor and be racist, and I got to thinking about boxing. Sure you may have all sorts of views before a fight, but you go 12 rounds with someone and hurt each other then a strange respect arrives.
Its the same sort of respect that true boxing fans show each, especially others who have been in the ring, at whatever level! You know what it takes to get into the ring, and what it feels like. True boxing fans will never call another boxer a coward.

Hell yes they can be racist. Look at the early years of boxing. Black fighters were kept out of major fights and look at Jack Johnson once he won the title. Any white fighter weighing over 160 pounds wanted to knock him out. Hence the phrase "Great White Hope"

Originally Posted by sanj16

Just a general question. Was having a debate with my friends about whether it was possible for someone to be a doctor and be racist, and I got to thinking about boxing. Sure you may have all sorts of views before a fight, but you go 12 rounds with someone and hurt each other then a strange respect arrives.
Its the same sort of respect that true boxing fans show each, especially others who have been in the ring, at whatever level! You know what it takes to get into the ring, and what it feels like. True boxing fans will never call another boxer a coward.

I think most boxers are respectful and tolerant to other than their own race as most gyms are complex places with a lot of different races.

Originally Posted by sanj16

Just a general question. Was having a debate with my friends about whether it was possible for someone to be a doctor and be racist, and I got to thinking about boxing. Sure you may have all sorts of views before a fight, but you go 12 rounds with someone and hurt each other then a strange respect arrives.
Its the same sort of respect that true boxing fans show each, especially others who have been in the ring, at whatever level! You know what it takes to get into the ring, and what it feels like. True boxing fans will never call another boxer a coward.

boxers are human so I would have to say "YES".