Are you someone with smooth and trouble-free school life? If so, consider yourself fortunate. But for many, that isn’t the case. And the good news is, things can change for the better. Youth violence remains a pressing global issue, taking forms that range from bullying to serious crimes like sexual assault and even homicide. Whether in wealthy nations or developing countries, college campuses are not immune.

Between 2001 and 2016, reports of on-campus crimes in the U.S. dropped by 32%, according to data from Musu et al. (2019). On paper, that sounds like a win. But experts caution that the reality is far more complex. Many incidents still slip through the cracks, often going unreported due to weak institutional follow-up, vague reporting protocols, or even a deep-seated lack of trust in school systems (Ouellet & Taylor, 2019). In fact, a 2017 report by the U.S. Department of Education revealed that roughly 827,000 students aged 12 to 18 were victims of non-violent crimes on school grounds that year. And when you zoom out, that adds up to a staggering 1.4 million school-related crimes, about 28 for every 1,000 students.

These sobering statistics have sparked conversations well beyond academic circles. Even The Ring magazine recently joined the debate by posting a question on Instagram: “DO YOU THINK BOXING SHOULD BE TAUGHT IN SCHOOLS?” The idea sparked mixed reactions from fans and professional fighters alike. 

And it seems the question struck a chord with the boxing world, catching the attention of several professional fighters. So, what did they have to say? Let’s take a closer look.

Box gloves over blades

Seeing the Ring magazine post, the former two-weight world champion, Zab Judah kept it short, commenting “🎯🎯🎯,” signaling his full support for boxing being introduced in schools. For Judah, the idea hits the mark.

And another one to join the topic is Tevin Farmer. Despite facing a tough stretch in his career with three consecutive losses (with 2 of the losses coming from William Zepeda) Tevin Farmer showed no hesitation. The former IBF super featherweight champion gave the idea his stamp of approval. ” 💯%” the 34-year-old wrote.

One user offered a balanced take. “As an option yes, but getting punched in the face isn’t for everyone.” The comment highlighted that while boxing could be a valuable addition to the curriculum for self-defense and discipline, it shouldn’t be mandatory. Why? Because not every student is built for combat sports. And choice should be a key consideration. Is it not?

Meanwhile, another fan raised an economic concern. “No, because then it takes away from small businesses and local gyms,” the user wrote. The argument was that if schools provide free access to boxing programs and facilities, then students might opt out of private gyms. And that potentially would hurt the livelihood of small gym owners and local boxing coaches. 

Amidst that, son of the legendary Mike Tyson, Amir Tyson had also entered the conversation. He took to his Instagram story to run a poll asking followers: “For Self Defense: Yes/No.” And if you voted yes, you’d be in good company as 86% of respondents also agreed with the 27-year-old’s take.

Moreover a practical take came from one user, who wrote: “Would end a lot of stabbings and unnecessary violence if people learned to solve their problems in the ring.” The user suggested that boxing could offer a healthier outlet for conflict resolution. And who knows, starting boxing at a young age (just like many elite fighters today) might even pave the way to becoming the next Floyd Mayweather Jr. or Gervonta Davis. You never know!

In the end, one user wrapped up the debate writing: “100% you wouldn’t have all these wanna be gangsters using blades.” The comment echoed a common sentiment that structured boxing training could actually steer students away from street violence and teach them some real discipline along the way.

With that said, if this plan is implemented successfully, it could genuinely benefit countless students, both physically and mentally. So, what are your thoughts? Could boxing in schools be a game-changer, or is it a step too far?