IS IT BRUTAL?

New Zealand Times, Volume XXX, Issue 6624, 14 September 1908, Page 8

IS IT BRUTAL?

SHOULD BONING BE ENCOURAGED? MR J. DOYLE’S OPINION. The Burns-Squircs fight has set people thinking, and tho point has been raised; Should such exhibitions bo permitted? Apart iron; the question of tho prize-ring the practice of boxing has much to commend it if carried out in a scientific and non-ag-gressive manner. Mr J. Doyle, an exnicmbcr of the Wellington Boxing Association, and an undoubted authority 7 on the question, was asked by a . ‘ ■Times’-’ representative to state his views, lie said:— PRESERVE VIRILITY.

‘■Boxing as now practiced appeals to a section ot the community only; and if wc wont back to the old Roman style of arming the hands with tile costus, there would still bo found people to approvo. if we wish to preserve that virility and force which hate been such important factors in making the British nation w-hat it is, robust sports, such as boxing, wrestling and feats of strength ami activity must ho encouraged as a matter of national importance. At the same time it must bo borne iu mind that although it is impossible to entirely eradicate tho leaven of brutality inherent in one's nature and which has its uses, this element must bo rigidly kopt down. The question then presents itself: How to encourage boxing, so stripped of its present objectionable surroundings, as to make its value from a national point of view apparent to all? Physical degeneracy of the race is just now claiming a good deal of attention. Tho trend ot modern hfo is certainly calculated _to bring about physical deterioration. Tho gradual introduction of laboursaving machinery 7, and tho consequent aggregation of humanity in largo manufacturing centres, with necessarily unfavourable conditions of life, cannot possibly 7 favour physical excellence Tho steam launch exists and tho English oarsman is extinct. Tweaty-fivo or thirty years ago'England held practically the athletic supremacy of the world; to-day she can scarcely claim ono champion.

DOMINION’S SENIOR ATHLETE. “I think I may 7 be allowed to speak ivitli some authority on tho subject of athletics generally because, as far as I know, I am the senior athlete of tho Dominion. It may be that there are older men who have been athletes, but I don’t know of ono who is an athlete. If there is I will bo very glad to meet him. During tho many y 7 ears that I practised physical exorcises I competed in nearly every recognised branch of athletics; and in the light of that experience I have no hesitation in placing boxing as a means of physical culture, easily first. It possesses at least all the merit as a bodily 7 exorcise that can bo claimed for any other branch of sport by its most ardent supporter and it has this important advantage over all others—it has a decided and a valuable influence on the formation of the character. It inculcates and develops more qualities likely to bo of practical use in tho battle of life than any other sport. The first lesson a boxer learns is to keep his temper. Every time he forgets it he is reminded of his fault in the most striking manner. Ho must have absolute solf-control to be successful. Boxing develops fortitude. The boxer will, not bo cast down in spirit by being knocked down in body. It also develops the noblest quality of all —physical courage. In short, boxing tends to bring out tbo most useful as well as the most manly qualities cf our nature—courage, fortitude, • resource. presence of mind, perseverance and temperance. BULLY AND BOASTER. • “It is not safe to assume that the, bully and the boaster cannot box. This theory has been put forward in the recent controversy, but it is merely ‘a Sunday school story.’ Tho man who cannot box and undertakes to subdue tho bully in nine cases out of ten will get his head smashed. Some of the best fighters are boasters; but there is no rale. A r ery often, however, the man who possesses exceptional ability' in regard to boxing is perfectly satisfied with tho consciousness of his power and he rarely abuses his position. There are dozens ,of first-class boxers who are extremely retiring in disposition and not in the least boastful or aggressive.”