Boxing Program Worth The Cost Published on: February 26, 2007 Yuma Sun - Letter to the Editor Some 40 years of my life have been deicated to the health and well-being of children. For that reason, and being a boxing fan since my youth, I have supported the Yuma County Youth Boxing program since its' inception. I have seen its' effects on those who participate with dedication. I do not view amateur boxing in the same light as many health care professionals. You must look beyond the common prejudices and misconceptions. Amateur boxing bears as little similarity to professional boxing as amateur wrestling does to "professional" wrestling. Actually, amateur boxing is a much safer sport than interscholastic wrestling or football. There are far more permanently disabling injuries per capita in those sports than in amateur boxing. Because amateur boxing appeals to a much smaller segment of school-aged youth, it's virtues as a sport are virtually ignored. Amateur boxing is an individual sport. It stresses personal fitness, conditioning, self-discipline, self-control and individual responsibility. If only one youngster develops these character traits, is that not important enough to validate that youngster's participation? Why is our Yuma County Youth Boxing program not important in the eyes of the mayor and the majority of city council? Because it reaches mostly disadvantaged youth? It involves too few children? It appeals to too small a subset of the community? It translates into too few votes? If Yuma County Youth Boxing keeps one child off the streets and out of trouble, if Yuma County Youth Boxing helps one child obtain self-respect, if Yuma County Youth Boxing helps one child attain a higher personal goal, if Yuma County Youth Boxing helps one child become a success in life, is that not worth the small cost to the city? Wayne Chiavacci, M.D. Yuma