Love hurts but watching sports hurts more – Mixed Masala

If you’ve ever been lied too, cheated on or dumped by a loved one, you know the heartache that comes with it.

You feel as if your world has been turned upside. You lose faith in people, you want to isolate yourself from the world and you can’t imagine falling in love again… but you do. When you suffer a heartbreak, you go through a grieving process, but you eventually pick yourself back up and move on to someone better. Friends support you through the process and don’t mock you for having been in a relationship in the first place.

Sports don’t work that way. When you’re a die-hard supporter (not those wishy-washy ones), heartbreaks can be more common, hurt more and last longer. Anthony Joshua fans experienced that this past weekend, when then former World Heavyweight Champion lost his belts to a relatively unknown Mexican fighter, Andy Ruiz.

Joshua, the IBF, WBA and WBO Champ, held the titles for three years and was undefeated in 21 fights, winning all of those fights by knockout. Ruiz was a last minute replacement who took the fight after the previous challenger failed a drug test. Despite being a massive underdog he silenced the crowds and broke hearts when he knocked Joshua down to the mat repeatedly, eventually forcing the referee to stop the fight.

Tottenham Hotspur fans also had their hearts broken this past weekend when their team lost the UEFA Champions League final to Liverpool FC. While Spurs fans were proud of their team for reaching its first ever final, but also felt the hurt of not being able to get the job done. The only fans more upset by the loss were Manchester United fans, who were hoping for a chance to mock Liverpool.

But after a busy sporting weekend, such as the one that’s just passed, the worst heartbreak endured had to be those of the Proteas supporters. South Africa lost its second World Cup game, this time to Bangladesh. Proteas fans have become accustomed to saying ‘this is our year’ at the start of every major tournament. The only fans who use the phrase are Liverpool fans.

But this year, that proved to be the case as the Reds captured a sixth UEFA Champions League title, after a 14-year wait. Yes, relationships can be tough, but being a sports fan comes with far worse challenges and less understanding.

At least by supporting Liverpool, whether you win, draw or lose, You’ll Never Walk Alone.

HAVE YOUR SAY:
Like our Facebook page, follow us on Twitter and Instagram or email us at dundee.courier@caxton.co.za.  Add us on WhatsApp 071 277 1394.