Too young to fight?

**Demon Eyes** · Posted On: 12/09/2008 1:35pm

Personally, I believe if the event is sanctioned by the state, has proper safety equipment and precautions taken, has experienced coaches and referees working, as well as a good atmosphere, then it should all be fine.
Although, I do recall a video that was posted a year, or so, ago that show cased a revolting event with children. The kids fought with 8 oz. gloves as their only protection, a dumbass referee who allowed one of the kids to go through an entire round of having his ass handed to him (the child wasn't showing any clear signs of good defense), a drunken audience screaming for blood, etc. Pretty much the whole thing made me physically ill.

**Point_Blank** · Posted On: 12/09/2008 6:57pm

Originally Posted by Zillaky

http://www.heraldleaderphoto.com/200...hes-a-fighter/

I don't know what else to say but this kid is 8 yrs old and already has 2 official bouts? While I agree with child wrestling and jiujitsu, will boxing (getting punched in the head alot) at this early age affect his mental development? I'm just searching for opinions because I don't know if I want to say hell yes teach that kid how to fight or what the hell is wrong with that trainer for somehow setting up 2 "official" fights and 5 exhibition fights.

Why do things like this have to be an all or nothing opinion - what in the hell happened to moderation these days? What is wrong with saying this is a good thing if kept in the proper perspective and done in moderation allowing for studies, friends, rest ect. . .

Based solely upon the video I would say this is a good thing myself - I mean don't boys still get into scuffles in the school yard , learn to ride bikes play on monkey bars, play king of the scrap pile, play foot ball in vacant lots and alley ways don't children still ride sleds down hills and have snow ball fights, play rough games ????? Last I heard children do all sorts of things that might cause brain damage because life is a risk for all interested in living instead of simply existing

I see structure and appropriate supervision as a definite plus - I do not see parents place as deciding how their children feel or what their interest are - it is a parents duty to guide child's desires toward a productive expression - I mean he might get hit in the head during matches but I do not see this as any more of a danger of causing bad long term effects than unsupervised scuffles that occur in play grounds and parks among eight year old boys every day. . .

I do not think it is any more dangerous than learning to ride a skate board or a bike - it is a sport like baseball and if done in moderation under supervision of responsible adults I think it is great. I think it is probably better for his brain than sitting in front of a video game or TV for hours on end night after night day after day.

The brain is like the rest of our body - the biggest danger of loosing an ability in this case thinking is if one fails to use it.

**Tom Kagan** · Posted On: 12/10/2008 8:34am

Originally Posted by AlphaFoxtrot51

I have no idea, but I know it doesn't belong in here. :) Have a nice day

You know what really doesn't belong here? Posts which say it doesn't belong here.

Children have been boxing as long as there has been boxing. Up until the 1950s or so, boxing used to be as ubiquitous in middle and high school as amateur wrestling. Its decline and disappearance was more about waning interest than any safety considerations.

**Sri Hanuman** · Posted On: 12/10/2008 8:51am

And quite frankly, it's nice to see a kid step back from the typical McDojo scene and get into some more realistic training. He will be glad he did later on in life.

**Jack Rusher** · Posted On: 12/10/2008 10:33am

Originally Posted by Zillaky

will boxing (getting punched in the head alot) at this early age affect his mental development?

Not likely. Pee wee boxing has been around for ages:

YouTube - 2007.03.17 Evan Sanchez v David Fuentes Pee-Wee Boxing rd 1

... the lads are too small to hit that hard, and they're geared up with pillow gloves and thick headgear. The men in my family traditionally start at 5 years, none have been damaged by it.

**omoplatypus** · Posted On: 12/10/2008 4:39pm

Originally Posted by Jack Skellington

Not likely. Pee wee boxing has been around for ages:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qg1cA5xeqUI

... the lads are too small to hit that hard, and they're geared up with pillow gloves and thick headgear. The men in my family traditionally start at 5 years, none have been damaged by it.

****, my mom wishes that was the most dangerous thing i ever did when i was 8....