Ronda Rousey responded Thursday to those accusing her of committing domestic violence by admitting in her book to beating up a boyfriend.
The dialogue over Rousey’s admission was stirred up Tuesday when Yahoo Sports’ Eric Adelson asked whether there should be more outrage over the MMA fighter saying in her book that she beat up an ex. Adelson’s article sparked a wave of similar thought as more outlets began to ask the same question.
One difference to me between Rousey’s actions and those of other high-profile athletes such as Floyd Mayweather who pleaded guilty to reduced charges was that Rousey seemed to be defending herself. She said just as much when responding to questions about the matter.
“Legally if somebody blocks your exit it’s considered kidnapping,” Rousey said in her defense in comments to ESPN’s Ramona Shelburne. “If someone is blocking you into an apartment and won’t let you leave, you’re entitled to defend yourself and find a way out.”
Rousey wrote in her book “My Fight/Your Fight” that she caught the ex-boyfriend taking nude photos of her (leading Rousey to do her own naked photos). When she confronted him about it, he blocked her from leaving his apartment, which Rousey says can legally be considered kidnapping. Rousey then punched him to get him out of her way, and when he came to her car to continue matters, she dragged him out of it.
Again, this is a much different scenario from Floyd Mayweather beating up his ex because he found out she was dating someone else. Rousey was acting in self-defense, and that context should be provided when people discuss the matter. Unfortunately people are so fixated on buzz words and the issue of domestic violence, they don’t take the time to differentiate between incidents and just lump everything together.
