Anyone know why BT Sport have Triple H previewing Wilder-Fury2

[Burney]

Well yes, I think we absolutely have changed. The type of cruelties towards animals and people which were considered entirely normal in, say, the 16th century are now completely beyond the pale. Very few 'civilised' human beings would argue in favour of bear-baiting or ducking stools - but enjoying the sight of two morons beating each other bloody seems to remain palatable to a section of society. Perhaps the less evolved?

But we have simply sublimated these desires into other areas - not the least of which is organised sport. Have you ever looked at the contorted face of a football fan as he screams impotent abuse at some hapless player or official? Do you think those reactions or the instincts that provoke them are 'civilised'? Of course not. They're the same atavistic, cathartic impulses as those that possessed the spectators in the arena or crowds at a cockfight. The only difference lies in what they're looking at.
Boxing is a classic case of this sublimation. It just happens to be the one closest to its origins because there's actual violence, blood, pain and - on occasion - death. This makes it (when it's good and the blows and blood are flying) much the most viscerally exciting of all sports because that is who and what we are. Deny it all you like and decry the idea all you like.
I don't believe in 'civilisation' in the sense you mean. Civilisation is something we create, it's not something we are. If the civilisation of humans actually moved along the path you suggest, we'd actually get rid of the need to experience these things altogether and spectator sport would wither and die. It's not going anywhere, though, because it meets a need. It's the methadone we need to keep us off the real thing.

[Sir C]

But we have simply sublimated these desires into other areas - not the least of which is organised sport. Have you ever looked at the contorted face of a football fan as he screams impotent abuse at some hapless player or official? Do you think those reactions or the instincts that provoke them are 'civilised'? Of course not. They're the same atavistic, cathartic impulses as those that possessed the spectators in the arena or crowds at a cockfight. The only difference lies in what they're looking at.
Boxing is a classic case of this sublimation. It just happens to be the one closest to its origins because there's actual violence, blood, pain and - on occasion - death. This makes it (when it's good and the blows and blood are flying) much the most viscerally exciting of all sports because that is who and what we are. Deny it all you like and decry the idea all you like.
I don't believe in 'civilisation' in the sense you mean. Civilisation is something we create, it's not something we are. If the civilisation of humans actually moved along the path you suggest, we'd actually get rid of the need to experience these things altogether and spectator sport would wither and die. It's not going anywhere, though, because it meets a need. It's the methadone we need to keep us off the real thing.

Whatever. Bored now.

You really ought to read the Cazalet Chronicles, you know. 20 years of family history in which... nothing much happens at all.