What Are the Advantages and Disadvantages of Boxing?

Advantages of boxing include stress relief and an improved self-image, while the main disadvantage is a potentially higher risk of brain damage. It is thought that heavy blows inflicted upon the head and brain could be a precursor to certain diseases.

Engaging in physical activity is a natural way to reduce stress, and boxing is a perfect choice. Whether one spars with a partner or practices with a boxing bag, stress is reduced by focusing on technique and hitting the zone. Exercising also helps one achieve a healthy body, which improves a person’s body image and self-confidence. Boxing also teaches an athlete humility because he or she has to start at the bottom and learn techniques from the ground up.

One of the main disadvantages to boxing is the likely possibility that it can cause serious brain damage in the long run. Being hit in the head and face repeatedly may cause micro-hemorrhages, which are caused by shear movement between different brain tissues. These changes are typically observed in the temporal and frontal lobes, where blows tend to be strongest. This damage to the brain may lead to the destruction of brain cells. This damage may result in dementia and Parkinson’s disease.