A Safe Boxing Program

The best way to describe my boxing class is from a former student of mine at the University of Pennsylvania, Samantha Prestia. I put her words in quotations.

“First, let me commend any school or college that thinks boxing is a dangerous sport to teach and for its departments for its diligent protection of the student body; yours is an important position we all rely on as students.  I realize that both popularized professional boxing and amateur level competitive boxing is dangerous activities that practically guarantee injury. 

What I wish to express to the administration of any school is the difference between the sport of boxing and Ron Aurit's Boxing class that may not be evident at first glance. 

During meetings of the Boxing Club at Penn we are taught the basic technique and form of moves used in the sport of boxing; including punches, blocks, ducks and footwork.  We then pair up to practice the punch and the corresponding block, alternating roles. 

The distinction here is that the members of the Penn Boxing Club are not

competing.  It is not a fight in which opponents intend to hit in order to gain

points or a knock out.  Instead it is a practice of skills alone or within

pairs, repeating moves without aggression or intention of harm.  Each member is instructed by Mr. Aurit how to adjusts their behavior in order to match the skill level of their partner. 

As one of a few female members of the club, I feel I have a certain advantage in this debate.  Not only did I feel in no way in danger of injury, I was also welcomed into the club and given a chance to partner with any member of the group.  This was possible because of the policy set within the group to adjust to one another: when sparing with me male members were not violating a social mandate (never hit a girl) because hitting each other is not what we were doing.  Instead it was a practice of punches, blocks and counter punches, each of which were explained and demonstrated in detail before pairing began. At no point in my experience with this organization was my safety at risk at any time.”

My program would be an asset to any institution. It will create jobs for teaching the “Art of Self Defense” as well as introducing this sport as an “outlet for aggressive kids”, perhaps as a job in the world of professional boxing.