If you are a fan of combat sports, you must have noticed that every fighter, before entering the ring or cage, gets involved in a ritual of sorts. From the walkout music to the all-important final moments before the fight, everything counts towards putting the fighter in the right mindset. And in this age-old tradition, there is one particular thing that stands out — the saying in the ring.
Every fighter seems to have their own saying or mantra, which they either repeat to themselves or announce to the crowd. These sayings are often enigmatic, laden with hidden meaning, and can provide great insight into the fighter’s personality and fighting style. But what is the meaning behind these chants, and why are they so important in combat sports? Let’s find out.
The history behind the saying in the ring
The tradition of the saying in the ring goes back centuries, to ancient civilizations like the Greeks, the Romans, and the Vikings. In those days, chanting or singing before battle was a common practice, as it helped to soothe the nerves and psyche up the warriors.
Later on, during the bare-knuckle boxing era, fighters would often recite poems or sing songs before the fight, as a way of psyching out their opponent. It was a way of demonstrating their superiority, while also boosting their confidence.
Over time, these chants became standardized, with each fighter developing their own unique saying or mantra. These sayings could be anything from a simple phrase to a complex, multi-syllable chant, and could be spoken in any language.
The meaning behind the saying in the ring
The saying in the ring serves two main purposes. Firstly, it helps to calm the fighter’s nerves and prepare them for the fight. Reciting their personal mantra helps to focus the fighter’s mind, and to block out the external distractions. It’s a way of channeling their energy towards the task at hand, and of putting them in the right mindset to perform.
Secondly, the saying in the ring is a way of intimidating the opponent. By reciting their mantra, the fighter is asserting their dominance and telling their opponent that they are in control. It can also be a way of psyching their opponent out, by making them question their own abilities and confidence.
Famous sayings in combat sports
Over the years, there have been many famous sayings in combat sports, each with its own unique backstory and meaning. Here are a few examples:
1. “I am the greatest!” (Muhammad Ali)
Perhaps the most famous saying in all of combat sports, Muhammad Ali’s “I am the greatest!” is a reflection of his outsize personality and his unmatched skill in the ring. Ali was the ultimate self-promoter, and his pre-fight interviews were legendary for their trash talk and bravado. But behind the bombast was a fighter who truly believed in his own abilities, and who was willing to put everything on the line to prove it.
2. “I must break you.” (Ivan Drago)
Another iconic saying, this one from the classic boxing movie “Rocky IV”. Ivan Drago, the Soviet super boxer, was the ultimate villain, a robotic killing machine from behind the iron curtain. And when he uttered the now-infamous phrase “I must break you,” he didn’t just mean it as a taunt to Rocky Balboa, his opponent. It was an expression of his own philosophy of fighting — to overpower and dominate his opponent completely.
3. “I’m not impressed by your performance.” (Georges St-Pierre)
Georges St-Pierre, one of the greatest mixed martial artists of all time, is known for his pre-fight psych-out tactics. And his now-classic saying “I’m not impressed by your performance” is one of the best examples. The idea was to blunt his opponent’s confidence and make them question their abilities, while also asserting his own superiority. And it worked — St-Pierre went on to dominate his opponents for years, cementing his legacy as an all-time great.
The saying in the ring: More than just words
The saying in the ring represents much more than just words — it’s a window into the psyche of the fighter, and a way of understanding their motivation and mindset. From the humblest amateur fighters to the biggest stars of the sport, everyone has their own unique saying, and each one tells a story.
And beyond the psychological benefits, the saying in the ring is also a reflection of the deep cultural and historical roots of combat sports. It’s a way of connecting to the warriors of the past, and of carrying on a tradition that dates back millennia.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the saying in the ring is an important and deeply ingrained tradition in combat sports, representing both a psychological tool for fighters and a historic link to the past. From the most iconic fighters to the most obscure amateurs, everyone has their own personal saying, and each one is a reflection of their unique personality and fighting style. So the next time you’re at a fight, take a moment to listen to the saying in the ring, and appreciate the ancient and powerful tradition that lies behind it.
FAQ
Why is the 4th finger the ring finger?
The fourth digit on the human hand is known as the ring finger. This finger is traditionally the one on which people wear wedding bands and other symbolic rings. But have you ever wondered why this finger was chosen to represent marriage, engagement and love? The reasons for choosing the fourth finger as the ring finger are rooted in history and tradition, dating back thousands of years.
One popular belief about why we wear wedding and engagement rings on the fourth finger is that this finger is directly connected to the heart through an artery. In ancient times, people believed that this vein, known as the vena amoris, or “vein of love,” ran directly from the heart to the fourth finger of the left hand. This belief was later dismissed by medical science, which proved that the veins in all of our fingers are connected to the heart. However, the romantic notion of the “vein of love” has inspired people to continue to wear rings on this finger.
Another reason for why the fourth finger is known as the ring finger is more practical. Historically, wearing rings on the thumb or pinky fingers were signs of wealth or influence. Rings on the index finger or middle finger represented that the person was married or engaged, but these fingers were often used for work, making the rings cumbersome and potentially dangerous. Therefore, the fourth finger became the default ring finger for marital and engagement rings.
In addition to these historical reasons, many cultures have their own specific reasons for wearing rings on the fourth finger of the left hand. For example, ancient Romans believed that the left hand had a vein that connected directly to the heart, and in India, the fourth finger is believed to be tied to the planet Sun, which represents passion and love.
The tradition of wearing wedding and engagement rings on the fourth finger of the left hand has been around for thousands of years and is rooted in both practicality and symbolism. Whether you believe in the “vein of love” or are simply following cultural or traditional norms, this finger has become the universal symbol of love and commitment.
Why is it called a ring if its square?
Despite the fact that a boxing ring is shaped like a square, it is still referred to as a “ring.” This can be confusing for those who are unfamiliar with the sport of boxing. It is not uncommon for non-boxing fans to question why it is called a ring when it has a square shape. The answer to this question lies in the history of the sport.
Boxing has a long and complicated history that dates back to ancient times. In the early days of boxing, there were no official rules or regulations governing the sport. It was more akin to street fighting than a regulated sport. Fighters would simply take to a designated area to brawl it out. These areas were typically small and enclosed in nature, often forming a circle around the fighters. This circle was meant to keep the fighters contained, ensuring that they did not wander off and potentially cause harm to any spectators.
As the sport of boxing began to evolve and become more organized, the fighting areas transformed from small circles into larger squares. This allowed for more room to move around and for larger audiences to watch the fights. Despite the shape of the area, the term “ring” remained. One possible explanation for this is that boxing matches were often held in circus tents, which featured circular performing areas. The term “ring” may have been used to describe these areas, and the term stuck even as the shape of the fighting area changed.
Another explanation for the continued use of the term “ring” might be due to its symbolic meaning. The word “ring” has connotations of endlessness, cycling, and repetition. The term “ring” may have been chosen to embody the sentiments of resistance and toughness that boxing represents. Fighters face each other inside the ring, and they must exhibit perseverance and the ability to withstand punishment in order to be victorious.
Despite the boxing ring being a square, it is still referred to as a “ring” due to its origins in early boxing and the symbolic meaning it carries. The term may have been chosen to symbolize the sport’s toughness and the need for fighters to exhibit strength and resilience in order to win. Regardless of why the term has persisted, it has become an iconic part of boxing culture and continues to be used to this day.
