15 year old boxer challenged by 20 year old ‘street fighter’

Coach’s 15 year old boxer (and son) gets challenged by a 20 year old self-proclaimed ‘street fighter’.

If you’ve ever thought you wanted to challenge a fighter in a sport you have no knowledge about, have a second thought first. It may just save you some humiliation.

This 20 year old guy gets slowly picked apart by a much smaller and much younger opponent. What are these people thinking when they challenge a fighter to a fight?

Maybe that’s just it. They aren’t thinking at all. Either that or they are so delusional about their own ‘skills’, they don’t think they can be beaten, even though they’ve never trained a day in their lives.

The demographic of those involved in boxing, and the aggressive nature of the sport are two major factors in the ongoing argument of whether children should be encouraged, or even allowed, to participate.

According to an article published by health.com, there are legitimate arguments for both sides, including the one made by trainers in boxing gyms that many kids in urban areas start boxing to learn how to defend themselves, and end up getting in fewer fights at school and on the street.

Though the American Academy of Pediatrics has recommended doctors oppose youth boxing because of head injury risks, those in the boxing community say it teaches young people discipline and work ethic better than any other sport.

On the other side are numerous studies on the long-term damage suggesting kids stay away from the sport.

Suggestions made by the AAP and Canadian Pediatric Society, as reported in the Time article, include:

Parents, educators and coaches knowing about the risks and hazards of boxing.
Adults should encourage teen athletes to pursue other sports with less physical impact.

Boxing associations should provide dedicated medical personnel who can consult with teens before, during, and after a match. Teen boxers also receive regular screening for neurocognitive deficits.