Just a few comments…

As you can see by my posts, I never take the time do so, but rather I spend most of my time just browsing around on here. However, this particular topic and some things that were posted about it compelled me to respond.

First off let me state that this is not intended to start an argument, but to only state my personal opinion, and maybe a fact or two along the way.

I noticed that JJETC and Dingbat had exchanged their opinions on the topic, and it seemed to get a little testy.

Dingbat I don't know you, but I do know JJETC very well. I know in his posts that it may have seemed like his opinion was being lead by, what you called, blind loyalty. However, of all the friends I have, including those in the world of wrestling, it's JJETC that I'll come to when I want an honest and open-minded opinion. Especially when it comes to the sport of wrestling. I know that might not mean much to you Dingbat, but consider it a more educated assumption, if you will, from somebody who knows JJETC very well.

I believe his passion and loyalty for the sport was coming through a little stronger than he intended in his post, and I think we all know that sometimes what a person means and what comes across on here sometimes is misinterpreted. It's understandable. And let me just add that the kind of passion and loyalty (not blind) displayed by individuals like JJETC are what make this sport the greatest sport on Earth.

Now on to my opinion on this topic…

I've always said that boxing is the one sport that you can justifiably, in terms of guts, heart, and toughness, compare with wrestling. I still tend to give our great sport of wrestling the nod, and here's why...

It was stated in a couple of posts that boxers get a 30 second break in between rounds. They actually get a 1-minute break. Not a huge difference, but definitely a difference. I feel that there is a good reason that wrestling matches are only 7 minutes long. I believe that with the overall body fatigue you are faced with in wrestling, it is too great to ask an individual to go much more on a consistent basis. In the case of overtime sometimes it is necessary, and then your heart will be called into play.

It was also stated by you Dingbat that a bout in boxing goes anywhere from 4 to 15 rounds. Actually a fight anymore will go no longer than twelve rounds, and that isn't done except at the elite level of boxing. It's interesting to think about, but if you took say Cael Sanderson, I think he could possibly wrestle 12 periods with a 1-minute break in between. It sounds crazy, but as one of the best-conditioned athletes in our sport along with some of the other wrestlers training for the summer games I think it could be done. Would they tire considerably in the late periods, yes, but it would be no different than a boxer digging down for the late rounds.

Or would it?

If you don't think it could be done, then it also would, to an extent, prove that in your mind the sport of wrestling must be more physically demanding.

What I'm saying is if they could do it (wrestle 12 periods) then it goes to show that a 1-minute break can be a huge factor for a world class conditioned athlete. If it is too much to ask for someone to wrestle at an intense high level for that long, then I think it proves which sport is more physically taxing on the body.

Lastly let me say, that this could be debated a lot, by many people, and for a long time. This is just my thoughts and opinion on the topic.

The best analogy I've heard comparing the two sports, and maybe you've heard the same, but a bout in boxing of 12 rounds should be compared to a marathon (extremely difficult to do…extremely), and a 7 minute wrestling match should be compared to the 400 meters (considered by many to be the toughest race in track, since it is basically a sprint around the track).

And the debate goes on...