Gonzalo Rodriguez

Professor Charles McGregor

English 1302
March 20, 2016
Attraction to Violence
Boxing is a very sport popular in the Rio Grande Valley, and most parts of the world. The
sport is very brutal and usually causes controversy on whether it should be banned or not. I was
introduced to the sport of boxing at the age the age of five by my father, and have grown to love
it through the years. Because I have been boxing for more than half my life, I have become so
used to it that it has become a normal routine to train, talk about it, and to watch it. Talking about
boxing with other people with knowledge of the sport is very entertaining for me because theres
nothing better than talking about something you love. Since I was practically born to boxing, I
feel as if I am automatically interested in it and watching it, but because of this I have questioned
myself on why other people are attracted to watching boxing. Also I wanted to learn the
psychological aspect of why many humans are attracted to violence to see if it goes hand in hand
in the reasons why people are attracted to watching the sport. To answer this question, I decided
that I would interview five members of the boxing community by asking them how they were
introduced to boxing and what it is about it that fascinates them into watching boxing. Also I
would find an explanation on why humans are attracted to violence through articles written by
psychologists.
Upon the completion of the interview, I got different answers on how the five people I
interviewed got introduced to boxing but a similar reason on why they are interested in watching

it. Although they were all introduced to boxing in a different way, they all share the same reason
on why they are interested in watching it, and that reason being that they enjoy seeing the hard
work and dedication of a human being pushing themselves to the limit for glory. The five people
I interviewed were Rey Velasquez (a good family friend that is a boxing fanatic), Ruben
Martinez (my ex boxing coach), Irving Rodriguez (another good family friend), Fernando
Villarreal (a person that trains in a local gym located in Weslaco), and Rudy Juarez (a coach that
trains kids in Harlingen). These people were relevant in my study because they helped me
conclude the answer to my question. Rey Velasquez told me that he became interested in boxing
purely for the hard workouts serving as a form of cardio, but while working out he noticed that
the competitors demonstrated dedication and commitment to their craft and that led him to start
watching boxing. Ruben Martinez became interested in watching because one day the television
was tuned in to a boxing fight and while watching he noticed that although boxing was a
physical sport, it was also mental because once youre in the ring you have to react and fight
back. Irving Rodriguez said that before becoming a devoted fan, he was an average fan that
would only tune in to big Pay-Per-View Matches, and while watching a lead up to an old, big
fight between Pacquiao and Barrera, he was able to relate to the boxing stars through personal
experiences and struggles, although he never physically fought competitively nor in the streets.
The other two being Fernando Villarreal and Rudy Juarez were introduced in different ways but
are interested in it for the same reasons. In an article name The Appeal of Boxing to its Fans,
author Jeff Pryor states fans of boxing are interested in it because they admire technicians that
made themselves to who they are by dedication and determination (Pryor), backing up the reason
why the people I interviewed enjoy the sport of boxing.

Before reading articles on why people are attracted to violence, I had a brief conversation
with a women who had a minor in psychology at workshop, and she told me that psychologists
debate the reason on why humans are attracted to violence. Some say it is animal instinct, and
the others argue that this isnt the reason because you cant use that as an excuse for hitting your
wife or other sorts of violence. In the article To Crave Violence is to be Human, author Cole
Hook claims that if youre attracted to violence you shouldnt be ashamed because its in our
nature to be drawn to violence. He backs up this claim by explaining that violent scenarios serve
to create a sense of excitement and significance in most peoples lives (Hook).
With my interviews with the boxing community and the information gained from the
articles I can conclude on why people may be attracted to watching boxing. Firstly I can
conclude that the people introduced to boxing in the different ways kept their interest in it
because they found it to be exciting and something that wasnt in their everyday lives. Secondly
as their interest for the sport grew slowly but surely they noticed the skill and dedication that the
fighters possess. Lastly, these people become more and more attracted to watching boxing
because they enjoy watching fighters working hard and displaying the traits they possess.

Works Cited
Hook, Cole. "To Crave Violence is to be Human" West Ottawan. West Ottawan News and Media,
1 Dec. 2015. Web. 5 May. 2016
Pryor, Jeff. "The Appeal of Boxing to Its Fans." The Guardian. Guardian News and Media,
13 Dec. 2013. Web. 20 Mar. 2016