Top 8 Misconceptions About Boxing That You Should Not Believe

Boxing is the most disciplined and one of the best combat sports, but big names also contain false rumors. There are a lot of misconceptions about boxing. People consider it a source of entertainment and somehow find it savage. Although boxing is a complex science that includes torso movement, footwork, punches, explosiveness, and many other elements.

Though these components make it an actual sport, people over-simplify it and consider it a game of exchanging punches between two people in a confined area.

But what about joining it for the sake of fun and fitness? Punching an opponent is not the only practice a boxer should do. They can blow their punches on a boxing bag just to burn some extra calories and to get fit for a better and more active life.

Including these misconceptions, we are going to discuss here seven prominent ones that you may come across in routine life and should not believe at all.

1. Boxing is Not for Girls

One of the hilarious misconceptions that people have about the boxing sport is that it is not for girls. Boxing is a comprehensive sport that people of all ages and genders can adopt without any discrimination.

1.1. Reasons

There might be plenty of reasons behind this misconception that boxing only belongs to males. The following three are found most prominent in this respect.

1.1.1. Women Belong In The Kitchen

A large number of people think that women belong in the kitchen and should not participate in any sport or other professional activities. Even professional boxers like world heavyweight champion Tyson Fury also believe that the best place for a woman is in the kitchen.

This mindset may be the root of the misconception that boxing is not for girls or females.

1.1.2. Risk of Life-Long Injuries

People also believe that a fatal body punch or abdominal punch can affect the physical health of a female boxer. There are plenty of other risks, such as troubles during pregnancy or broken bones that can prolong pain for a long time.

Considering such risks, opponents of women in boxing emphasize that they should not participate in such combat sports.

1.1.3. They Are Not Tough Like Men

People consider the toughness and complexities of the sport and underestimate the girls. They believe that a girl cannot withstand the hardships and difficulties as much as a man can do.

This perception has also convinced a lot of people about the incompetence of girls in the boxing sport.

1.2. What is Reality?

In reality, girls have all the potential to be as good at boxing as boys can be. Ann Wolfe, Laila Ali, Cecilia Braekhus, and Lucia Rijker are some of the finest examples in this regard.

With time, women are becoming stronger, tougher, and faster. And they have all the skills and abilities to adopt the discipline.

Related Reading: SURPRISING BENEFITS of BOXING for WOMEN

2. Boxing is Not a Healthy Sport for Kids

It has been seen that a massive number of people have the misconception that boxing is a bad sport for kids. They think enrolling kids in a boxing gym can affect their health in many ways.

2.1. Reasons

There are plenty of reasons that they present in favor of their stance. However, the following three are key risks that they point out when supporting their stance that boxing is not healthy for kids.

2.1.1. Head And Torso Injuries

People who believe this point say that though other sports also entail the risk of injuries, boxing is targeted at the head and torso. They also point out that head and torso injuries in boxers are more frequent than others.

Believers in this misconception also claim that a head injury to a kid boxer can cause massive damage to their brain. Frequent concussions can lead to dementia, seizures, and corruption of the brain’s information processing system.

2.1.2. Memory Dysfunction Risks

Memory dysfunction risk is another reason that opposers present to strengthen their argument against kids boxing.

Opponents say that kids’ brains keep on developing till their early 20s and a hard hit on the head can cause memory dysfunction risk, which is relevantly low in other school sports like football and soccer. They also present studies that exhibit those kids are in greater danger than teens and older boxers.

2.1.3. Boxing is Violent

Many people also believe that boxing teaches children violence. They think, at this early age, learning boxing makes kids aggressive. Instead, they should be learning teamwork.

2.2. Why Should You Not Believe It?

People who understand the boxing training process cannot agree with it.

Putting a 7-year-old kid in a fight might not be a great idea, though it is not a common practice. Most people start fighting and sparring in their teen years.

Enrolling young kids in boxing training classes can be very beneficial for developing many muscles and improving their mental and physical strength.

Boxing is not just a physical sport, but also has plenty of lessons for you to learn. It teaches you discipline, humility, and respect, which are keys to the character-building of kids.

3. There Are Ideal Body Types for Boxing

A lot of people think that there is an ideal body type to have to adopt boxing. To some extent, this is true. Certain body types can be a little advantageous in certain circumstances.

For example, if you are tall, you can have an advantage when fighting on the outside. But, it doesn't matter as many people consider it.

Everybody has a different style, so their body type can be advantageous or disadvantageous according to the changing conditions.

On the other hand, short and hefty guys might not be able to fight at a distance, but on the other hand, they can have more power and footwork, which can make them remarkable boxers. Mike Tyson is the perfect example in this respect.

Similarly, some people might have a fatty and chubby body, but the extra layer of fat can be a factor that protects them from body shots. Andy Ruiz Jr. has such a body, and he uses it according to his boxing style.

4. Boxing is a Safer Sport Than MMA and Bareknuckle Fighting

Boxing is one of the most dangerous combat sports, and the vast majority understand it. However, many people consider it less dangerous than Mix Martial Art and Bareknuckle fighting. No doubt, MMA is similarly a violent and dangerous sport, but boxing has plenty of severe and risky aspects that make it more dangerous than other combat sports.

4.1. MMA vs. Boxing

In MMA, you come across knee punches, kicks, armbars, elbows, and many other things that can cause more damage than fists. But the thing that makes it a little less dangerous is the distribution of punches over the whole body. On the other hand, in boxing, punches are concentrated on the head, which makes it more dangerous than MMA fighting.

4.2. Bare Knuckle vs. Boxing

Similarly, in bare-knuckle, you fight with bare knuckles, which makes it worse, but at the same time, some aspects make it a less risky sport. Though there you find unprotected hands, the difference is that bare Knuckle fighters throw way fewer punches than boxers.

So, while participating in the sport, take all the measures to remain at the safe end instead of facing severe injuries, considering it a less risky combat sport.

Related Readings:  What Are the Possible Injuries That Can Occur During MMA Training?

5. There Are Just 6 Punches

You may also listen to people saying that there are just six types of punches in boxing. You should not believe that because, in addition to the right hook, left hook, jab, cross, right up, and left up, there are numerous other punches in boxing.

It is a way more complex sport than one could think of. Stiff jab, long and short-range jabs, crooked uppercuts, and crooked hooks are examples. With every passing day, innovations in boxing techniques and combinations are taking place.

New types of punches and attacking techniques are taking place every day. It means that boxing is not limited to six punches only. It has a vast range of punching combinations that you can use during your fights and sparring sessions.

6. Getting A Head Hit Hurts

In boxing, no one wants to get hit on any part of their body during their boxing fights. However, this is a sport that involves punches, body movement, and footwork, so you cannot remain safe from getting punched unless you are a pro or have perfect footwork and distance control.

Related Reading: Tips to Prevent Injuries in Boxing

Under these circumstances, people believe the misconception that getting a head hit hurts. But, in reality, that is not the whole story.

In boxing, the element that hurts boxers physically is body punches. Body punches may affect the chest, heart, liver, kidneys, and ribs. Head punches result in making you off-balance, concussed, and dizzy without any physical pain that can make you kneel to the ground.

To understand that matter in the right way, the boxing ring is the best place. Non-boxers are unable to comprehend this fact and regard it as a damaging technique in the sport of boxing.

7. Muscle Soreness Is a Sign of Effective Training

A large number of new boxers believe that you should not stop training until your muscles start aching. Muscle soreness is not an indication of effective training.

Soreness in muscles only signals that the structure of your muscles is overstrained. Especially, if you are a beginner, it is normal to feel soreness. This can also happen due to any unusual exercise. The wrong execution of techniques can be another reason for muscle soreness.

Instead of considering muscle soreness a sign of effective boxing training, you should double-check your technique execution in a disciplined manner.

Overtraining can overstrain your muscles. With overtaxed muscles, your arms will not work as they should do during bouts. Therefore, go through a proper boxing workout plan, including resting intervals, to get in shape for boxing.

8. Punch Power is Determined by Arm Strength

A lot of people in the sport misunderstand that punching power relies on the strength of arms or hands.

You can find people associating strong muscles and arms with power, but that is not true. The majority of power is produced from hip twists and legs. A perfect punch involves your entire body’s movement.

In comparison to twisting or extending your arms, you can generate a lot more power by twisting your legs and hips. Arms and fists are the only tools to carry and transfer that power.

People who have too much muscle, like bodybuilders, sometimes become unable to throw big punches at their opponents. This slows them down.

Keep in mind that these are your body movements, speed, and explosiveness that help you generate more power and throw big punches, but not the muscles.

There might be a lot of other misconceptions that people have about the boxing sport. You should stay focused on your game instead of paying attention to such misunderstandings. Believing in the above-mentioned misconceptions can take you away from reality and your boxing goals.

Related Reading: BOXING FUNDAMENTALS: EVERYTHING YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT BOXING