"Of course after the fight you want to make sure that you're okay and so is the other guy, it's a brotherhood in there, so you want to make sure everyone is okay after the war is over"
- Alexis Arguello
About this Quote
The quote by Alexis Arguello conveys the complex emotions and camaraderie that exist within the world of competitive battling. At first look, battle sports like boxing, MMA, or battling appear purely adversarial; two individuals contending fiercely against each other with the primary objective of victory. Nevertheless, Arguello's words discover a deeper layer of mutual regard and shared experience in between challengers.
The phrase "make sure that you're okay therefore is the other guy" highlights the sense of duty fighters feel for one another. Despite the strong competitors and physical strength associated with these sports, fighters acknowledge the risks they undertake together. This recommendation creates a shared bond comparable to brotherhood, a style Arguello highlights when he discusses "it's a brotherhood therein". This sense of unity goes beyond the immediate competitors, promoting a shared regard and concern for each other's wellness.
In explaining the match as a "war", Arguello illustrates the strength and exhaustion that comes with a battle. Fighters press themselves to their limitations, both physically and mentally. Yet, once the battle concludes, the hostility subsides and what stays is a sense of connection and uniformity, born from having faced the same trials and difficulties. This perspective transforms an opponent into a comrade who has actually sustained the very same "war.".
Arguello's words serve as a testimony to the values of sportsmanship and respect fundamental in fight sports. They expose that below the competitive surface lies a deep-seated understanding and empathy. This viewpoint is a pointer that battling, at its core, is not entirely about beating an opponent but about evaluating one's own limitations while honoring the shared journey with a fellow professional athlete. This profound sense of brotherhood enhances the mankind within the cruelty, showing the honor and character that specify these sports.
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