Offering an earful on professional boxing

Through some tortured taxonomy of violence that escapes us, boxing enthusiasts are incensed over the chunk of Evander Holyfield's ear lost in a bite by Mike Tyson during their heavyweight bout last Saturday. But those same fans don't flinch at broken noses, cauliflower (but intact) ears, slit eyelids, kidney punches and knock-outs that leave men with permanent brain damage.

The immorality of boxing doesn't begin and end with ear-nibbling; it is inherent to the so-called sport. When one person sets out to destroy another for the amusement of the multitudes, it is wrong, regardless of which body parts get damaged.

The injuries sustained in baseball, soccer, football and other games are by-products of the play that are avoided at all costs. On those occasions when they are deliberately caused, players are penalized. But the injuries caused during prizefights are not only deliberately delivered, but also richly rewarded with adulation and money.

That is morally wrong, and Catholics should not be participating in it as fighters, promoters, trainers or fans.

The delicacy of boxing fans who lift their skirts at a bite on the ear but lustily cheer blows that leave someone incapable of walking or talking is a sign of something deeply wrong. It can be put right, first by individuals not supporting boxing with their time, attention and money, and then by banning the sport altogether.

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