03-09-09, Reprint of September 10, 1997, Statement by B. Ritchie Payne 
and Barbara Kovner Regarding Youth Boxing in Glendale
 
 
10 September, 1997
 
TO: ANDREW BRIDGES, OPINION EDITOR
 News-Press Fax 241-1975
 
FROM : R. PAYNE & B. KOVNER
 
 
 THE FOLLOWING STATEMENT WAS ADDRESSED TO THE CITY COUNCIL AT
 THEIR SEPTEMBER 9 MEETING
 
 
 Your Honor, Ritchie Payne greets you with a warning that I may lose
my cool this evening. My appearance is prompted by a News-Press
clipping headlined "BOXING SHOW SLATED FOR TODAY - 9 year old girl
will be featured in Youth Boxing Program event behind City Hall. Some
hard one-twos will be thrown today at Parcher Plaza....".
 
 May I take you back to the 5th century where in a volume called THE
ETERNAL CITY the author relates: "A monk named Telemachus entered the
Colosseum and tried to place himself between the gladiators. He
turned to the people, begging them to stop these horrible shows ...
the intruder, a great martyr to the cause of humanity, was stoned to
death. But from that day, these shows ended."
 
 Your Honor I'm no martyr and would make an irreverent monk. But
after I finish feel free to "stone" me with words if you desire.
They, too, can hurt. Can I stop City Hall from sponsoring boxing
matches between nine-year old girls? Probably not, but I'm going to
try.
 
 Mr. Zarian, if you walked out of City Hall and found two
unattended 9-year-old girls fighting -- I am certain you would
intervene -- you'd stop the fight. But under controlled circumstances
you witnessed children prize fighting in Parcher Plaza last Saturday.
Am I to conclude that if children use helmets and out-sized gloves,
under supervision, you have no reservations about lending the
imprimatur of your office to such an event?  Please explain what
public purpose is served by children punishing children?
 
 Councilwoman Givens, you stood next to the Mayor while this mayhem
occurred. The News-Press carried a short quote that you "joked about
signing up for the sport to relieve frustrations." Ashley Montagu in
his THE NATURE OF HUMAN AGRESSION, states: "There is, as we have seen,
good reason to believe that competitive sports often evoke and worsen
the aggressiveness of the competitors. This is as true of children as
of adults ... if one wishes to train children in cooperation it is
more sensible to do so in games that are cooperative rather than
those that are competitive."
 
 If you visited a fourth grade class during recess, would you approve
of the teacher refereeing boxing matches on the playground? Of course
you would not. But your presence in the Plaza can only be taken as
approval. Please, if you feel the need to hit -- pound on a pillow --
imagine it's me.
 
 City Manager Ramsay, I'm informed you have two daughters. When they
were nine did you teach them to box? I find that impossible to
believe.
 
 Should this topic even be of concern to the Council? Yes, because
the city sponsored it. The event was attended by some 2O0 fans. The
parents of the children obviously approved and will be responsible for
the consequences. A good time was had by all except me. I left after
one bout.
 
 Ritchie Payne, have you ever enjoyed a boxing match? Yes, the blood
sport is in my system. I was elated when Joe Louis decked Max
Schmeling in the second bout. Freedom (in the form of a descendant of
slaves) had triumphed over Nazism. I realized how much Louis'
victories meant to his people. I marveled at the ring artistry of
Mohamed Ali. I am saddened that he will spend the rest of his life
brain damaged.
 
 Remember-remember: The sole objective in boxing is to injure your
opponent. Even if you wear a helmet and use out-sized gloves, the
objective is to hurt.
 
 In conclusion, I quote the gospel according to St. Howard (Cossel
that is) -- patron saint of boxing. In his book I NEVER PLAYED THE
GAME, he tells of interviewing Dr. George Lundgren, editor of the
Journal of the American Medical ~Association: "He called boxing an
obscenity, and said it should not be sanctioned by any civilized
society." Cosell closed the chapter with: "The Swedes and Norwegians
have the right idea -- let's abolish professional boxing in America.
 
 Your Honor, the event was videotaped. Play it on the next Zarian
Forum. Have Ritch Wells bill it as "KIDS FIGHT NIGHT - CHANNEL 6.
Tune in and Watch the Little Sluggers Duke it Out - Family Fun in
Parcher Plaza."
 
 Please-please stop this for the sake of the children. Are there any
pediatricians out there who will weigh-in on this? Any shrinks who
believe adults who enjoy watching children hurt each other should be
counseled? Any clergy interested?
 
 Council members please don't just sit there -- speak out on this one.
 
 
B. RITCHIE PAYNE
Glendale resident
 
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Note: Published (after editing) on 9-12-97, "Boxer rebellion".
 
03-09-09 Notes by Hal Weber:
 
The City of Glendale is considering authorizing professional boxing matches at the
 Glendale Civic Auditorium.  See Glendale News-Press article.
 
Glendale City Council Agenda Item 8a, “Report on the Amendment of Section 5.32
  “Boxing and Wrestling” of the Glendale Municipal Code.