Positives must always outweigh negatives in fight game

Sometimes boxing takes itself too seriously for its own good. Perhaps we are so hung up on the negatives we often miss the fun and often funny side of it.

Boxing is financially, emotionally and physically demanding.

The boxing fraternity is wired in a way that only sees the tough and strenuous yet tedious side of things.

This because boxing has built a very bad reputation over the years polluted with corruption arising from lack of sponsorships to almost non-existent live TV coverage and many other issues that continuously taint its image.

In-between the negatives and the positives there is a thin line that sets the two perspectives apart. This is passion which bears ability to appreciate the positives in the midst of the overwhelming negatives.

The true passion for boxing lies with the masses that brave all sorts of weather to watch the sport. There is a child with an empty stomach who never misses a gym session for he sees boxing as the tool to put food on the table for the family.

There is a man who sacrifices his time with his family to go train aspiring boxers in a classroom with a single punching bag and no electricity.

He puts it all on the line without resources just to nurture the dreams and hopes of little young men and women who see boxing as a gateway out of poverty.

Among the thousands that pack the dimly lit and rundown boxing venues there are hundreds of mothers, fathers, sisters and brothers who take loans in order to attend and support boxing.

These are the true drivers of this noble art. They make these sacrifices for the sport without looking for any reward. To them boxing is like religion.

Unfortunately boxing is dominated by “have-nots” and for years the minority of the “haves” in boxing have imposed a superficial and misleading approach that boxing is dead. It is easy to declare boxing as dead when you have a job to wake up to, when your bread is already buttered and have options in life.

Those with buttered slices of bread must not influence and infiltrate the minds of those who see boxing as a meal ticket.

Those who rely on boxing to feed their families should remain unshaken.

Those who still have a passion for sharing knowledge and opening doors for other talented individuals within boxing should remain resolute and steadfast in their selfless efforts.

Boxing will never die. Those that genuinely love the sport should forge ahead amidst the negativity and continue with their selfless efforts.

Passion for the sport need not be loud and should be consistent.

Whoever prophesies the death of boxing must surely be oblivious to the efforts of the common man.