Bingo, I mean if you're asking why people box, then you might as well ask why people go to war, or play NFL or any other sport which incurs physical damage, not so long ago a report claimed that 'heading' a football increases the likelihood of brain damage. Take from that what you will.
However, at the end of the day no two people on this Earth are exactly alike, and while I agree Boxing certainly doesn't have the appeal today than it used to in the days of Ali, or even Tyson and Bruno (although the recent news about the short Brit who took down that tall Russian gave me a grin, talk about David and Goliath) but surely it's better in the ring between two guys who want to fight, than in the street between a guy who wants a fight and an innocent passer by, something which we see a lot of in the UK these days.
Kiwi and OTH are quite right in a way, it's no surprise that in the British Army and I'm sure the US Army too, there is several boxing teams, quite competative ones too, and they can be put to good use with some people who have, shall we say, a more aggressive streak than others, and the discipline instilled in a) the army and b) the training for boxing. Actually, come to think of it, I think they also used to put in chaps who had confidence problems, help build them up, that kinda thing. I don't know if it still goes on in the British Army...probably too much red tape, but I'm pretty sure that twenty-thirty years ago the chaps used to go in the ring.
I've never boxed, never will, and have no particular desire to, however I understand that there are those that do, and to them I say, good luck, so long as they know what they're getting themselves into and accept that, then good luck to 'em.
