More than sport in the ring

For families of the armed or emergency services the prospect of losing a spouse or child is an every day risk but for those with sportsmen or women in their home it is an unimaginable nightmare.

In Boxing however the threat is multiplied 100 fold such is the nature of this physically punishing sport.

In no other sport are competitors subject to such intense physical abuse and beatings to the head and body. The aim of the match is to put your opponent on the canvas or render him incapable to continue. As a result many boxers are left bloodied and bruised with far reaching effects to their health in future years.

A little more than 4 months ago a rising star in Marco Antonio Nazareth,23 had the chance to grab his chance for super stardom. Fighting in his home town of Puerto Vallarta, Mexico Nazareth he was pitched against fellow country man and established boxing star Omar Chavez, son of Mexico boxing legend, Hugo Chavez Jnr.

Nazareth was confident, gutsy and cocky in front of his family and friends enjoying a bright start to the fight despite being knocked down in the first round. But as the fight progressed talent and experience told and he was battered and put down again in the fourth. When the referee finally stopped the bout Nazareth was clearly in trouble and was stretchered from the ring to the nearest hospital.

Four days later he died from a brain haemorrhage.
　
Boxing is no doubt a brutal sport and many including the British Medical Association have called for its banishment as a recognised sport. However, television viewing figures do not lie and millions tune-in for every bout and relish the chance to see two men or women hammer and punish each other.

Undoubtedly for the boxers rewards are great, especially for the few that reach the big paying Las Vegas nights however alike many sports only a select few reach the very top of their profession.

The sport of boxing is littered with tragic tales of old champions left with nothing due to financial incompetence or corruption. Years a physical abuse leave them permanently punch drunk or worse, Muhammad Ali, the greatest ever is now a sad shadow of himself.

Essentially sport is entertainment however no right-minded person wants to view the death of a sportsman live on TV. Unfortunately the Nazareth family now have a visual record of their son and brothers demise.

No other sport can lay claim to providing that.