Argumentative Essay: Boxing Makes You Bigger

Relentlessly training in a lowly lit boxing gym, a powerful soundtrack with a heavy base accompanies the image of a persevering boy. Another boy, who appears to be the boxer’s little brother observes from the sidelines as the boxer rigorously prepares for his momentous match. What the boxer doesn’t know is that after he graciously wins the fight his actual match will begin outside of the gym. The advertisement “Boxing Makes You Bigger” from the company Everlast seems to be about boxing but is really about responsibility.
The two boys leave the boxing gym, and the town that they walk through appears to be an impoverished area; there are piles of rubble, and graffiti is sprayed onto the walls of the buildings. They walk quickly through the streets
as if they are in a hurry when an intimidating older boy approaches the boxer and his brother. He aggressively commands them to “Give!” as he shoves into the shoulders of the boxer (Everlast). A shot of the boxer’s clenched fist pans onto his face as he stares down the older boy during the slight moment of hesitation while he contemplates his choices: give the boy the money or fight him.
When the boxer eventually extends his hand and acquiesces to the demand of the other boy, it comes as a surprise to the little brother when he questions the intentions of his older brother. The boxer responds by saying, “he is hungry” in a simple sentence (Everlast). The boxer could have easily beaten up the bully, as he had already proven his strength and skill a few moments earlier. Instead he chose to take the higher road and avoid conflict. He took the responsibility to rise above the bully, himself, the situation, and poverty. Immediately after the boy responds to his brother, the screen goes black and the words, “Boxing makes you bigger” are illuminated onto the screen. This situation exemplifies, specifically the responsibility that boxers have: control over themselves when a fighting situation arises. As the title of the advertisement and the words on the screen at the end of the commercial imply, the mental preparation and physical training in boxing does not only make one a “bigger” and more athletic person, but it also teaches people how to become a “bigger” and more
altruistic person. The boy who ran away with the money may have thought he was the winner of the confrontation because he ultimately obtains the money he that he wanted, but in actuality, the boxer is the real winner. He received an accolade that can only be earned through the performance of forbearance, and out of responsibility. He will very likely be the only person who will ever know about his gracious actions, but he ultimately acted as a role model for his younger brother in a situation that he was not obligated to.
Based on the context of the commercial, the boxer and his brother do not have an overwhelming amount of income, and boxing seemed to be an escapism for both of the boys.
They were most likely in need of the money that the boxer gave away, and they could have very likely been hungrier than the boy who stole their money. Even though the boxer held an advantage over the bully, he showed his responsibility by giving his money to the bully. He chose not to abuse his power. Corruption is easily attainable through the unbalance of power, and the boy in this situation shows full understanding of his responsibility. The boxer obviously had the upper hand in the situation, and if he had chosen to challenge the bully, the boxer would most likely emerge as the victor from the alteration. This would not have only resulted in a bloody nose and a black eye for the bully, but this would also have resulted in danger for the town. Though his perspective, he took a dangerous situation and morphed it into a learning lesson. He demonstrated integrity that will eventually mold into his character as a person who the people of the indigent town can turn to in times of need. He demonstrates that he is not afraid of the power that he holds, and sees the immense responsibility that comes with
it.
Through the action of self control and discipline, the boxer epitomized responsibility that benefited himself and his community. He could have allowed the bully to crawl underneath his skin, but instead he took it upon himself to check his own power. By asserting his own dominance, the boxer exhibits total control over his emotions and demonstrates full understanding of his responsibility.