The dangers of boxing are often justified by the direction it offers to many wayward youths. Boxing saves, but what about when it takes someone who doesn’t need saving?Two days before fight night, Patrick Day walked to the podium for the event’s final press conference. He complimented Chicago, a city he said reminded him of New York, “just less crowded”. He then remarked that the other fighters looked fit and healthy, and promised an entertaining fight with Charles Conwell. He sounded more like the promoter than one of the participants, a point he addressed.“People look at me, look at my demeanor, and say, ‘Oh you’re such a nice guy, well-spoken, why do you choose to box?’ It’s about what’s in your heart … I have a fighter’s soul, a fighter’s spirit, and I love this sport,” Day said. “Boxing makes me happy, that’s why I choose to do it.” Related: Patrick Day dies aged 27 from injuries sustained in fight against Conwell Patrick Day talking about transitioning from the amateurs to the pro ranks, he was 2-0 here. pic.twitter.com/x43CYSpgmuRyan Songalia is a member of the Boxing Writers Association of America and part of the Craig Newmark Graduate School of Journalism Class of 2020. Continue readingread full article
