"So I got no illusions about boxing, none. This is a brutal business. It’s the hurt business. But I’m a fighter – that’s all I can do." - Mike Tyson

 

Posted by ADAM CARTER on SEP 27, 2024

"So I got no illusions about boxing, none. This is a brutal business. It’s the hurt business. But I’m a fighter – that’s all I can do." - Mike Tyson

(Approx 2 minute 15 second read)

The martial arts is about more than just fighting. It’s about learning to use your mind as your greatest weapon, staying calm in difficult situations, and making clear, rational decisions under pressure. Fighting, kicking, and punching are part of it, but you should strive to be much more than just a fighter.

I recently came across a quote from Mike Tyson: “So I got no illusions about boxing, none. This is a brutal business. It’s the hurt business. But I’m a fighter – that’s all I can do. It’s my destiny!”

For those of you whose first instinct is to fight in a self-defense situation – or who have only been taught to fight (you know who you are) – I want to stress the importance of resolving conflict without resorting to physical violence.

Your primary goal should be de-escalation, diffusing a situation before it turns into a fight. There are obvious risks in any physical altercation – hidden weapons, accomplices lying in wait – but the dangers go beyond just trading blows. The environment itself can be deadly. Imagine someone’s head striking concrete, leading to concussion, unconsciousness, or worse, death. And there will always be legal consequences.

No matter how angry or insulted you feel, a fight is never worth the cost of someone’s life.

If your instinct is to fight first, or if you’ve been conditioned to see every confrontation as a reason to fight, then something is wrong.

Avoiding danger is far more valuable than fighting your way out of it. Sadly, too many people let their egos take over, thinking that walking away from a fight isn’t “cool” or that they need to prove themselves with their ultimate fighting skills.

Well, no, you don’t. There’s nothing “cool” about risking lives. You might win trophies in tournaments, but those trophies mean nothing when compared to someone’s life.

Just because you can fight doesn’t mean you should. This goes for any altercation unless you really have no choice and it’s truly a matter of life or death – for you or a loved one.

Any real-world fight is vastly different from dojo sparring or competitive matches. Organized fights have rules, referees, and regulations. A real-world altercation has none of these. If you have to fight, your only goal is survival – your opponent’s sole aim is to do you harm.

As I get older, waking up with aches and pains just from sleeping in the wrong position, I often ask myself: are the martial arts still worth learning for self-defense today? Even though I prefer a practical and pragmatic approach to karate, is it enough?

I live in an area where weapons are common. Criminals carry guns and other weapons without hesitation. In a place where carjackings, muggings, or simply being in the wrong area can get you killed – is a typical martial arts class going to prepare you for that?

Today, even the most pragmatic martial arts might not be enough.

In the end, your mind is your greatest weapon. Fighting should never be your first option. For many of today’s criminals violence is their day job, the martial arts maybe just your hobby. The smartest decision you can make is to avoid getting involved in the first place.

Written by AC.