FOR SOME of us who find it difficult enough to make a reasonably cogent argument in favour of boxing, last Sunday morning was a major setback.

What we saw was simply obscene. To suggest that what we had witnessed was "sport" of any kind was, unacceptable and totally disgusting.

Nobody, not even the most vociferous of propagandists, could dare disagree with that. What we had witnessed was savagery of the most base kind which diminished the entire concept of sport.

And yet one cannot help but feel that the entire matter will be fudged. Within 24 hours of the event we had the hypocritical Mike Tyson saying that he was "sorry" and not long afterwards Evander Holyfield suggested that boxing might gain from the experience and that he would not rule out a third meeting with Tyson.

Those statements had much more to do with money than decency. The World Boxing Association which was allegedly in control of this contest, has been mealy-mouthed about its condemnation and, no doubt, will continue to be so.

It is disappointing in this context to hear Holyfield quote scripture and say that he prayed for patience while his medical team sought to repair the damage inflicted on his right ear by Tyson's teeth. Even after Tyson had repeated the dose, albeit less serious, on the left ear, Holyfield can still find it within his heart to say that he might be willing to fight Tyson again.

In my view that is taking the art of turning the other cheek that bit too far. Holyfield should have a care for the image of boxing and would be well within his rights in bringing a law suit against Tyson.

Somebody once labelled boxing as "the noble art of self defence", another called it "the sweet science". Neither of those descriptions can ever be used again with the same credibility or conviction.

If Tyson is ever allowed to box again the entire argument in favour of the sport will have been seriously undermined. Much of the argument for the banning of boxing is bordering on the hysterical and quite impractical. Yet it has become more and more difficult to set aside the arguments. Sunday morning has made it almost impossible

But that is not the issue just now. What must be done is to ensure that Tyson's behaviour is not glossed over. What he did was quite honestly unforgivable.

The message must go out from the World Boxing Association that such behaviour is totally unacceptable and that anyone who indulges in it as Tyson did, must, under no circumstances, be allowed to profit from such behaviour.

As the rules stand at the moment the maximum fine for Tyson would amount to no more than

That is a pittance. The punishment must be much more severe. It is not as though Tyson had previously led a blameless life. Whatever sympathy which may have been due to him because of his poverty-ridden life has been exhausted by now. It was ironic that he claimed, immediately after the fight, that his children would be afraid of him because of his cut eyebrow.

One's sympathy goes immediately to the "kids" as he called them. Not only his own children but the many young people who may have looked upon him as a role model.

Let us hope that those aspects will endure. Much good has been done by boxing which has given thousands if not millions of young people an aim in life. It has taught self discipline and has inspired young people who might not, otherwise, have had a decent chance in life.

It is, therefore, the duty of those in whose care the sport rests to protect it with all due vigilance and determination. Anything less than a ban from the sport for life will not adequately fit the bill on this occasion.