The Pugilist And The Towel...

The general population have all probably seen a typical boxing type movie or two where the main character, a boxer, whom we'll generically name: Blocky Bowel Broka,
is often seen in the center of the ring getting beaten up and pounded by his nemesis and Blocky's coach/corner man would usually be yelling, "I am throwing in the bowel, I mean towel, BLOCKY!!"

And because it IS a movie, instead of admitting defeat and acceding to the towel throwing, Blocky would often yell out his wife or girlfriend's name: Atrium...

"Uh Nooooooooo, coach...do not trow in the towel...ATRIUM!!! ATRIUM!!!"

And Atrium would be found clutching her lips with tears streaming down yelling Blocky's name and for coach to throw in the towel...

It is often then at that very moment, that Blocky would find some sort of superhuman strength and then just come back and whip his foe's butt thus leading to a happy ending.

Bloods, Gores, et al....

That's cool...I know the movie is trying to serve as a moral rousing up morale about "NOT GIVING UP"

and what other better symbolism to use than a boxer that won't throw in his bowel?

Here is what I often would find interesting. Blocky's enemies usually aren't the BAD guys...

they are supposed to be fighting for the sports of it. But somehow, money and bad blood get into the mix and then a bad guy and good guy are kind of defined..

but were Blocky's enemies all bad guys? Even that big huge Russian dude who was shooting up steroids? (when in real life, the real Blocky was known to use and abuse steroids himself)

So there they are, fighting for their lives, for glory and fame and money...using their LIVES...I give no kudos to either Blocky nor his opponent. Neither serves a true purpose in real life. They are simply entertainers getting paid...

Boxing evolved as a true bar brawl sports and not something legitimate such as martial arts. It did evolve into some form of martial arts but most boxers got into the ring to train because they craved fame and fortune vs. finding the zen discpline that other martial arts offer.

Although a type of code has evolved amongst the boxers it is still consider more of a glory sport vs. self-discplinary sport.

Don't get me wrong, it takes a lot of discpline to box. It takes hard work. But the core and principle aren't usually there.

Pugilist came from the latin root: Pugnare (meaning: to fight)

in the Golden ages of the Roman/Greco Warriors code, pugilists had more codes back then. I don't mean the Gladiators of Rome although I have read that they follow a type of code as well, it was much more barbaric.

I am talking about the legions and the sentries and the Spartans. Those true warriors that were willing and to die for their country. All without glory and a lot of money (although the Roman army did get paid quite well and were well respected)

the root of a warrior's code was still there. Self-discpline was at the top of their code.

Easter Warriors such as the Shaolin monks also have that tough self-discplinary code that they put others well being above their own.

and these warriors truly will die for the love of their countries and loved ones.

I doubt a boxer out there will be willing to die for a cause. We can argue that Ali might have been the only one to really fought for a cause but he was one in a million. He stood out amongst other boxers (in his later years, not during his flashy years). And that was true growth of a true fighter.

I think of diseases that are brought upon people. People that don't ask for. It becomes a battle for them. Diseases that can rob them of their lives or just simply daily chores.

And it is very easy to throw in that towel...

those are the true pugilists...the ones fighting for their lives on a daily basis with the cancers and the strokes and the heart failures...

but if they follow the code of Blocky. They won't last long....because when the movie ends and the credits are rolling...life still goes on and the towel will be eventually thrown in...