What impression do you have of the sport of boxing in this extract? [10] BOXING... THE FACTS
There is considerable ignorance about the way in which professional boxing is
administered in Britain today and this is something we, the British Boxing Board of
Control, wish to put right.

IN DEFENCE OF BOXING
The belief that it is wrong for young men to be paid, sometimes handsomely, to hit
each other and for an audience to pay to witness such a performance is a belief that all
Board representatives respect, although we do not agree with it.
We would make a number of points in defence of boxing:
No one is forced either to box, or to pay to watch boxing Boxing audiences are not
motivated by any bloodlust, but in the main are knowledgeable and compassionate.
Boxing gives young men a chance to achieve something and be somebody; it teaches
the need for law and order, and encourages the learning of self-discipline and respect.
Boxing promotes qualities such as sportsmanship, courage and dignity. It appeals to
many young people on the fringes of society, offering them a chance of avoiding
delinquency and of growing into responsible citizens. It is therefore an acceptable
activity both morally and socially. Boxing is highly regulated and safer than most
other physical contact sports. The banning of boxing would merely send it
underground and the era of the illegal prize fight would return with all its horrific
implications