Pulcheria Chung, 18 St Mary's Canossian College

Over the past 100 years, nearly 1,000 boxers have died in the ring or shortly afterwards and many more have suffered brain damage or disfigurement.

Boxing is a dangerous sport that should be banned. We shouldn't let boxers put their lives in jeopardy even if they know the risks.

And unlike sports such as football where a player who hits or kicks their opponent is sent off, boxing allows two people to pound each other until they collapse. There is no sportsmanship here.

Boxing is a legal way to attack another person and sends the wrong message to viewers.

Boxers are led to believe the more aggressive they are in the ring, the more respect they'll gain. Similarly, viewers may think that beating up others can be a rewarding experience.

I believe other countries should follow the example of Norway and Sweden, where professional boxing is banned.

Although boxing offers opportunities for disadvantaged people, it only underlines their aggression. There should be more positive ways of helping them.

Oliver Kwan, 18 Delia School of Canada

I don't think so. Most people say combat sports such as boxing are too violent for this modern age. But it isn't true.

Boxers don't hate each other; they are simply trying to defeat their rival in the ring. As soon as the fight is over, they shake hands and respect each other as sportsmen - there is no malice involved.

As for the sport being dangerous, there are rules and players follow them.

A referee can stop a bout if there's a chance of a fighter suffering serious injury. But there is no such thing in a sport like mountain climbing.

Many people have died while trying to scale mountains such as Everest and there are no official rules to govern such expeditions.

In my opinion, boxing is like football: you can get seriously injured.

Some footballers go out to deliberately hurt top players from the opposing side. And some of them even get away with their violent behaviour.

Most boxers train every day so they are very fit and can take a lot. Boxing is about two men in a ring, fighting for supremacy both physically and mentally.

And isn't that struggle what sport is all about?

ncG1vNJzZmivp6x7tK%2FMqWWcp51krrPAyJyjnmdlZYNyfpFoqqGnpaGxbq7OsaCnn12Xsm6uwKelnpw%3D