The producer then backs the statistics by actually showing you some of the knockouts in the ring, you are then shown footage in which Mohammed Ali, arguably the greatest boxer of all time, is at a airport after a match still suffering from, ‘punch drunk’, acting like a child, with slurred speech, and needing help to walk. It really is a sorry sight.
The producer then starts to use a different technique; the programme shows you a series of interviews of different people.
A former boxer is interviewed about his views on boxing and although he is obviously very bright and well spoken his speech has been seriously impaired because of a boxing related injury, this was very clearly stated by the commentator.
Although he has very strong views that boxing should not be banned he finishes with ’my son will not box.’ This, I think, is a key part in the programme.
After a brief interview with a former boxer you are then shown an interview with a current boxer on his way to the championships.
When he is asked his opinion it is clear he is very passionate about the sport and is doing it because he loves the sport and also adds ‘I know the risks, but every sport has risks’.
His coach ‘Ernie’ is then interviewed and it becomes clear he is not very academic and under the pressure he begins to stutter and repeat himself.
This is then compared with a specialist doctor being interviewed in a white suit and using the queens English. This paints a picture of a reliable man who knows more about the ‘ immense stress caused by each pounding blow’ than a tracksuit bearing man who misses of his H’s and uses words like ‘dunno.’
The producer then takes the programme to a gym where children as young as 8 are training. Some are interviewed and it becomes clear that the children know very little about the dangers of boxing especially the long-term damage to the brain.
The producer then uses the ‘show and tell’ tactic to demonstrate how the brain moves when the head is punched, this is very effective as it is presented in a clean laboratory by a scientist, again, using the queens English. The scientist then explains that although heads stop bruising they do not stop the actually movement of the brain.
The producer then shows a good part of the match set up by Ernie, this was a good method as it showed you the rowdy crowds, the effect of each punch, the aggression in the boxers faces, and if you looked close enough the betting stand. Just these 5 minutes said more than a lot of the film altogether.
Towards the end there is a very effective symbolism used, you see a care taker sweeping away after the boxing match, perhaps cleaning away the old ready for a new start or perhaps sweeping it all under the carpet.
