Remember when Mike Tyson bit Evander Holyfield’s ear off?
We all do. It was 26 years ago and we still remember it.
Tyson was banned from boxing for 15 months after that but it takes more than 15 months for an incident like that to be wiped from collective memory.
It was wrong and we all knew it and we still know it.
Why?
Because boxing is not a street brawl or a free-for-all – it is a sport. Although at its core, boxing appears to be two men bludgeoning one other, a few facts around their bludgeoning are clear: it is an agreed upon fight. It takes place in a ring. There are referees. There is a panel. There are points.
And there are rules. Above all, there are rules.
The difference between a street brawl and a boxing match is not location, location, location but the mutual agreement of two consenting adults prior to the match and the ruleset that governs both of them. We call a boxing match a fight, which can be confusing, because boxing is not a chanced upon incident – it is a sport. In the Olympics, it is referred to as a discipline.
This week, the Mayor of Wollongong Gordon Bradbery said he would not be endorsing the nomination of decorated MMA and UFC fighter Alex Volkanovski to receive the keys to the city. Volkanovski, who hails from Wollongong, has enjoyed international acclaim since turning pro in 2016 and successfully transitioning from rugby league to fight sports.
This came on the back of the 34-year-old’s victory in Las Vegas last weekend, beating Yair Rodriguez in the octagon and securing his fifth title defence – making him one of the UFC’s most accomplished fighters in the world, let alone Wollongong.
Alexander Volkanovski punches Yair Rodriguez. (Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)
While the honour of receiving the keys to the city has been given to athletes before such as swimmer and Olympic gold medallist Emma McKeon, Bradbery said that Volkanovski did not qualify because of his chosen sport.
“You can decorate it as much as you like but UFC is a violent activity,” he said. “It is against everything we stand for in our community in terms of violence and promoting violence.”
While Bradbery attributed the decision to a sense of “responsibility” he has to his community, it can be argued that conflating combat sports and violence is in itself an irresponsible claim to make.
Combat sports, in particular boxing but also more recently mixed martial arts, have long been a refuge for at-risk and vulnerable children and youth, who benefit hugely from what these sports offer them.
World champion boxer Floyd Mayweather and female UFC fighter Amanda Nunes have both openly spoken about being cushioned from the social hardships of their childhood environments by finding solace in their chosen fight sport.
For both these individuals, the gym was a sanctuary and training both a necessary and productive outlet for them. They became athletes and then champions – not by choosing violence, but by choosing sport.
The very idea that a fight could be sanctioned by an institution or an authority; that its participants could be paid or at least endorsed by a coach, a manager or even the crowd that supports them; and that there are, above all, rules and rulesets, which are designed to ensure that a fight is safe, fair and dignified – it is this very idea that seeks to separate fight sports from actual fights.
In summary, they are not the same.
The distinction is an important one. And it is not like we can’t tell the difference.
The difference is why we remember Holyfield’s ear being bitten off and hopefully, the reason we will never forget it.
Kitwally
Roar Rookie
Great article Zayda! I thought at the time there needed to be an article written exactly like this one. Well done! Ken W and Bruno’s comments also very eloquent.
Bruno
Roar Rookie
To truly understand the sport and its participants, one must look beyond misconceptions and stereotypes. Volkanovski, a family man, exemplifies the true spirit of Mixed Martial Arts, he embodies the values of hard work, respect and humility. It is erroneous to label MMA as a violent sport without considering the broader context of combat sports and their place in society. Combat sports, such as boxing have a long history and have produced some of Australia's greatest athletes. Names like Lionel Rose, Tony Mundine, Jeff Fenech, and Kostya Tszyu have brought immense pride to our nation through their remarkable achievements in boxing. These fighters, like Volkanovski, are respected not only for their skills in the ring but also for their dedication, discipline, and sportsmanship. Moreover, if we examine other popular sports such as AFL, Rugby League, or Union, we cannot ignore the level of physicality and aggression displayed on the field. The language used by fans during these matches reflects the intensity and competitiveness of the sport, with phrases like "take his head off" or "smash him" being commonly heard. This demonstrates that violence, in some form or another, is inherent in many sports and is not exclusive to MMA. Controlled self-defense should be considered an integral part of every individual's growth and development. Violence is not something that can be completely eradicated from society; instead, it is about how we channel and manage it in a constructive way. While some may argue that the rise of MMA represents a perceived regression into barbarism, it is important to recognize that the feelings and expressions of fighters are not innate but rather shaped and molded through their training and experiences. In contemporary society, combat sports are often viewed as inherently violent and aggressive. Furthermore, the argument that violence in sports like MMA should be condemned while overlooking the violence that exists in other popular sports is hypocritical. Disregard the keys to the city of Wollongong Alex. When your done fighting, the award of Australian of the year awaits!
KenW
Roar Rookie
It's not that simple though is it? MMA & Boxing are fighting sports, the purpose of the game is to physically hurt your opponent. There's rules and contracts but the winning condition is to beat your opponent until they can no longer stand. It's still a fight, appealing to the same instincts that a street fight appeals to. The combatants frequently promote these fights with similar attitude and language as guys lining up for a public brawl. We know a lot of that is fake and I'm sure they mostly respect their fellow professional, but they know what they're doing and what their business is about. The reason I say it's not simple though is that I don't disagree with your positive points. The elite level of these sports are filled by extreme athletes, in some ways unmatched in their mix of power, agility and endurance. The training and discipline of these sports has undoubtably changed lives that may have not been reached by other sports. Some of the people involved freely admit they were probably heading to prison but instead have found fame and fortune. In the end I think a reasonable person can come down on either side of these arguments so I can't bag the mayor of Wollongong for deciding it's not something he wants to glorify.