Should I quit boxing?

[jyxl]

I love boxing, even when I train till I’m fatigued and nasueos I try to rest and recover so I can do it all again the next day.

However... I’ve had TMJ for around 6 years and as I have been looking forward to start competing decided to get a check up with one of the top jaw doctors.
Everything was somewhat okay until my x-ray scan for my jaw got done. The shape of my jaw joint is quite different to normal and has slightly eroded...
The doctor said I can’t box anymore and when I asked about surgery she immediately refused because as long as my jaw can function ‘properly?I don’t need it, but the only reason I waited half a year for an appointment was to fix my jaw to fight in the ring for once in my life.
And when I asked the doctor if I boxed anyways she said that the risk is much higher to injure my jaw, possibly permanently.

My only dream since young was to fight at least once in my life... But it seems that this has gotten in the way.
I know I can train without sparring/fighting in the ring, but that will just be depressing.
If I don’t get to fight just once, I’ll probably think about it for the rest of my life, and if I do get permanent damage I might regret it too...

I’m willing to put everything on the line and train to fight just once either even if it’s just something like a casual inter-club match, but one clean hit could change my life...

Any advice for or against continuing boxing is greatly appreciated.

[SuperSuperLeeds]

Do it you'll be fine. Yolo. Master a defensive style lol. I'm Just the one fight won't hurt surely you've sparred over the years with no issues? If you've not been sparring then wtf no I wo uldnt suggest fighting.
Good luck anyway hope you get to live the dream

[CodeBreaker]

I'd rather take risks than live with regrets for not doing, especially if I really wanna do it.

If you injure your jaw in the fight, then finally the surgery will be an option.

[jyxl]

I do spar with headgear and double mouthguard, I have a very defensive style for obvious reasons, my jaw would get sore even though I haven’t really taken a full on hit before.

[jyxl]

I'd rather take risks than live with regrets for not doing, especially if I really wanna do it.

If you injure your jaw in the fight, then finally the surgery will be an option.

These were my exact thoughts when I was talking to the doc haha

[Lucky86]

These were my exact thoughts when I was talking to the doc haha

If you have already been sparring then taking one amateur fight might be worth the risk. But as a middle aged dude now I am warning you nothing in life is as important as your health.

[Outboxxed]

Depends on your age. If over the age of 27 it's better to leave it and stay healthy

[a.rihn]

There is a quote from the movie Only the Brave that comes to mind for me:

You got to ask yourself, “What can I live with and what can I die without?”

Can you live with a jaw injury? Or can you die without ever having boxed?

Those ain't easy questions, and you're the only one who can answer them.

[abracada]

If you got a good job in office, or making money elsewhere, quit fighting and just spar, have fun, keep fit.

[jyxl]

Thanks for all the advice, I’ll probably just stick to training/sparring for now.

I would love to be able to experience fighting in the ring, but will need some time for a final decision. Definitely will train much more now to make up for this disadvantage, no point risking anything if I’m just mediorce...

I’m only 22 so I am not rushing for anything, was just depressing to hear the doc be so against it...