OPINION “Does the thought of a six-week boxing course leave you shivering in your New Balances?” If you’d asked me two months ago, I would’ve nodded my head vigorously. But, if a self-acclaimed “Pilates princess” like myself can do it, I’m pretty sure anyone can - and should. While I’ve faced many fears as a journalist - walking through a haunted house on camera, jumping off a six-metre landing on a harness and holding a conversation with Jason Momoa for five minutes - it couldn’t have prepared me for a proposition that rolled across my desk in March.
The challenge? Taking part in 45 minutes of boxing, strengthening and conditioning at least twice a week over a six-week period. Perhaps it’s because I have a clear disconnect between my capabilities and confidence. Or perhaps, deep down, I knew it was going to be fabulous.
Whatever it was, I dove in - fists first - and decided to try the new boxing craze that everyone was talking about. But was I throwing myself into the ring - or a ringer? Why does Gen Z love it? I don’t know what it is about 2024, but most people my age have either bought a house, joined a run club or become obsessed with boxing. And it’s not just a sports-based paranoia - the data says it too.
In the US, a 2021 study found that boxing had surpassed baseball in popularity amongst Gen Z’s, thus taking fourth place on the list, according to Front Office Sports. What’s more, a study by insights platform Knit revealed that 52 per cent .
