Sport and self-love: reflections on boxing and the construction of selfhood

Abstract

This article examines whether boxing, despite – or perhaps because – its destructive potential can be an arena for the formation of selfhood. Based on Honneth’s theory of recognition (1995), I suggest that boxing can be an arena for recognition in the form of love and therefore essential for the construction of selfhood. My central thesis is that boxing can cultivate love, trust, and knowledge in and of oneself- elements crucial to the formation of selfhood. By taking a closer look at the three forms of boxing – basic conditioning, sparring, and the boxing match (competition) – I suggest that these different ways of practice have different potential for cultivating these elements. I conclude that due to contextual and internal factors, the boxing match does not fulfil its potential. However, sparring can provide relationships of care that results in regimes of self-care; trust in oneself and others, as well as self-knowledge; all building blocks in the construction of selfhood. I round off with a suggestion to modify the boxing match in order to enhance its potential for realizing both play and selfhood.