The career developments of two world champion boxers: interpretive thematic analysis of media stories
Date
2018-05-01
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Abstract
Athlete development can be described through transitions that mark turning phases
throughout athletes’ careers. Media data was utilized in this project to unpack the
career developments of two prominent world champion boxers from their early
lives to world championship status. Employing interpretive thematic analysis, five
themes were identified: (1) weathering hardships of early life (subthemes: the rough
life of an inner-city kid; abject poverty in war-torn Philippines), (2) entry into sport
(subthemes: groomed to fight; boxing to escape poverty), (3) amateur experience
(subthemes: Olympic medallist en route to the pros; struggling amateur with
dreams of greatness), (4) launching a professional career (impressive American
prospect; a charismatic unpolished slugger) and (5) capturing a world title
(subthemes: the much-anticipated world champion; the unexpected world
champion). This exploration augments our understanding of how two worldrenowned
boxers presented their career transitions to the world, with implications
for boxers and those who work with them.
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Keywords
boxing, brand, career development, career transition, athletic identity, media data, thematic analysis