Life

Jake O'Kane: I'm with Mr Tyson when it comes to safety in sport and manners on social media

Sadly, as one dangerous sport – Formula 1 racing – becomes safer, another – boxing – goes in the opposite direction and it’s only a matter of time until someone is seriously hurt

Romain Grosjean's car in flames after crashing during the Formula One race in Bahrain last weekend. Picture by Brynn Lennon/AP
Romain Grosjean's car in flames after crashing during the Formula One race in Bahrain last weekend. Picture by Brynn Lennon/AP Romain Grosjean's car in flames after crashing during the Formula One race in Bahrain last weekend. Picture by Brynn Lennon/AP

I DON’T follow Formula 1, so when the Bahrain race appeared on the news last Sunday I expected the story was about yet another win for Lewis Hamilton. Instead, I watched horrified as the car of Haas F1 Team driver, Romain Grosjean, slid across the track, smash into a barrier and disintegrate into a ball of flames.

The camera cut to safety men trying desperately to put out the inferno; their efforts seemed futile as Grosjean surely couldn’t survive such a crash? But then, to my amazement, Grosjean – phoenix-like – emerged from the flames, calmly hopping over the barrier and into the arms of a safety officer.

I was stunned to later learn his injuries were confined to burns to his hands and ankles, not a single bone broken. This was only possible due to decades of work by Formula 1 to make their sport safer. Their efforts have culminated in the reinforced ‘survival pod’ in which F1 drivers sit, along with the adoption of the ‘halo’ driver crash-protection system made mandatory for all cars in 2018.

‘Halo’, however, wasn’t initially welcomed by all drivers, with some describing the protective bar protecting their heads as ‘ugly’. One driver obviously now convinced of its worth is Grosjean who, from his hospital bed, said, "I wasn’t for the halo some years ago, but I think it’s the greatest thing that we’ve brought into Formula 1. Without it, I wouldn’t be able to speak to you today."

Sadly, as one dangerous sport becomes safer, another goes in the opposite direction. That the World Boxing Council (WBC) sanctioned 50-year-olds Mike Tyson and Roy Jones to fight at the weekend is a disgrace to the sport. Sold as an ‘exhibition’ and not a prize fight, the WBC brought in three former fighters to score the bout; it ended in a draw.

On the undercard of the Tyson/Jones fight was another ‘spectacle’ – I wouldn’t call it a boxing match – where YouTube ‘influencer’ Jake Paul knocked out ex-NBA basketball player, Nate Robinson.

Their fight is part of the new celebrity boxing phenomenon which has seen internet stars trade blows with rappers. Both fights were roundly condemned by boxing professionals, with Teddy Atlas, once Mike Tyson’s trainer, tweeting, "Stop allowing guys who don’t know how to fight into a ring."

He’s right; the first skill a boxer is taught isn’t how to hit but instead to defend themselves from being hit. Young boxers spend years learning how to slip a punch and move their body to ‘cover up’. These are skills the young celebrities lack and it’s a matter of time until someone is seriously hurt.

Having knocked out the inexperienced Nate Robinson, and buoyed up by his win, Jake Paul stupidly challenged UFC star Conor McGregor to be his next opponent. I hope for his sake McGregor wasn’t watching and doesn’t accept, for if he does, Jake Paul’s career as a handsome YouTube heartthrob is over.

Mike Tyson once said, "Everybody thinks they’re a tough guy till they get punched in the face." Such wisdom. Eat your heart out, Dalai Lama.

Having been the recipient of a fair few digs to the bake during my years as a barman, I can bear witness to the truth of Mr Tyson’s comment. Yes, I call him Mr Tyson. I know he’ll never read this but, in case he does, I want to be sure he knows I was respectful.

Mr Tyson tweeted another slice of pugilistic wisdom during the summer saying, "Social media made y’all way too comfortable with disrespecting people and not getting punched in the face for it." I know many will judge this as brutish but Mr Tyson has a point.

Most of us who have an online presence have suffered abuse from anonymous trolls. On the rare occasion I interact with the cowards I usually write, "Please, please, if you see me in town do come up and repeat what you’ve just written."

I know, I know, I’ve unresolved underlying anger issues. What do you expect? I grew up ginger and fat during the Troubles.

Actually, the more I think about it, maybe there is a role for celebrity boxing here. Admittedly, if I were to compete it would have to be renamed ‘B-list Celebrity Boxing’, but hey, I’ll give it a go.

All I need is a suitable opponent, somebody around my age, and weight, who can handle themselves. I know just the man – anyone have Frank Mitchell's phone number?