Newfield, who loved boxing writing so much he celebrated A.J. Liebling's 100th birth anniversary in October, had this take on the sweet science:

At its infrequent best, boxing can be the art of hitting and not getting hit -- a ballet with blood, geometry with guile. At its frequent worst, it is fakery, burlesque, cruelty, injustice, exploitation and death.

Sports · 2004/12/21 · 3 COMMENTS · Link

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At its infrequent best, boxing can be the art of hitting and not getting hit -- a ballet with blood, geometry with guile. At its frequent worst, it is fakery, burlesque, cruelty, injustice, exploitation and death.

I was thinking just that the other day when I was using the "sweet science" on an old lady who refused to let me inspect her handbag which may have contained terrorist related items! The abject brutality of terrorism cannot be ignored by civilians on their way to the Track.

#1 · Not Getting Hit · 2004/12/22

If you feel that way about the sport, you should read The Shame of Boxing. Even though Newfield loved the sport, he shows how brutal, exploitive, and corrupt it has become.

I wasn't a fan of boxing before reading it. Afterwards, I don't see how anyone can be.

#2 · Rogers Cadenhead · 2004/12/22

brutal, exploitive, and corrupt

Why am I thinking "Campaign '04?"

I work at avoiding the "brutality mentality" as boxing has a core that promotes this.

But none of us live forever, so what the hay!?!

#3 · still not getting hit · 2004/12/23

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