News8 mins ago
Another Death From Boxing.
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In these days where 'health and safety' seem to be a prime concern, hasn't the time come for boxing to be outlawed?
Apart from the use of gloves, which was a huge improvement from the days of bare fist boxing, it is still allowed to take place at a considerable risk to those who partake in the sport.
While on the subject of health and safety in sport, why not go further by making the use of head protection compulsory in soccer also, after all one would not be allowed to ride a racehorse without head protection?
In these days where 'health and safety' seem to be a prime concern, hasn't the time come for boxing to be outlawed?
Apart from the use of gloves, which was a huge improvement from the days of bare fist boxing, it is still allowed to take place at a considerable risk to those who partake in the sport.
While on the subject of health and safety in sport, why not go further by making the use of head protection compulsory in soccer also, after all one would not be allowed to ride a racehorse without head protection?
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Is boxing any more dangerous than motorsports, rugby, horseracing etc. I don't think it is, it can be however, overtly brutal and often thuggish. Anyone who is a boxing fan would have difficulty convincing me that they watch it because they appreciate the artistry and skill of the combatants. They just like watching someone have their 'lights punched out'.
I seriously dislike boxing for the same basic reason as you. Even so, better to try and make it safer rather than ban it. Since making it illegal would not stop people from wanting to box, or watch boxing. A sport with only 4 deaths since 1980, if that statistic is true, is hardly dangerous enough to warrant a ban. Things that are illegal tend to be more dangerous for those involved anyway.
I'm pretty much in favour of people being allowed to engage in any dangerous sport they like, but would make an exception for boxing.
The number of deaths may be relatively small, but it's not just deaths which have to be considered - the risk of long-term brain damage is considerable.
"80 per cent of professional boxers have serious brain scarring on MRI scan"
"Brain tissue, once damaged, remains damaged. The symptoms of such brain damage - commonly known as being 'punch drunk' - include slurred speech, slow reactions and even occasional blackouts (‘chronic traumatic encephalopathy’). These symptoms may take years to appear – on average about 16 years after taking up boxing, but sometimes as later as 40 years, long after the boxer has retired from the sport."
Admittedly the situation is less clear for amateur boxers.
The number of deaths may be relatively small, but it's not just deaths which have to be considered - the risk of long-term brain damage is considerable.
"80 per cent of professional boxers have serious brain scarring on MRI scan"
"Brain tissue, once damaged, remains damaged. The symptoms of such brain damage - commonly known as being 'punch drunk' - include slurred speech, slow reactions and even occasional blackouts (‘chronic traumatic encephalopathy’). These symptoms may take years to appear – on average about 16 years after taking up boxing, but sometimes as later as 40 years, long after the boxer has retired from the sport."
Admittedly the situation is less clear for amateur boxers.
"Apart from the use of gloves, which was a huge improvement from the days of bare fist boxing, it is still allowed to take place at a considerable risk to those who partake in the sport. "
It's gloves that have made it more dangerous. This came up on QI, apparently bare knuckle boxers rarely did head punched because they could damage their hands on the hard skull so they concentrated on the body. The advent of glove meant that head punches becames safer for the puncher, not so for the punchee.
Anyway, there are deaths in sport generally, banning the sport would just push it underground and make it much more dangerous. I think we just have to accept that certain sports have inherent danger and sadly there are occasional deaths.
It's gloves that have made it more dangerous. This came up on QI, apparently bare knuckle boxers rarely did head punched because they could damage their hands on the hard skull so they concentrated on the body. The advent of glove meant that head punches becames safer for the puncher, not so for the punchee.
Anyway, there are deaths in sport generally, banning the sport would just push it underground and make it much more dangerous. I think we just have to accept that certain sports have inherent danger and sadly there are occasional deaths.
DangerUXD
/// Anyway, there are deaths in sport generally, ///
That may well be but they are mainly taken at one's own risk, not so in boxing which is unique in such that the aim is to inflict harm on another human-being.
Would they allow sword fighting contests where the winner would be the first to fetch blood?
/// Anyway, there are deaths in sport generally, ///
That may well be but they are mainly taken at one's own risk, not so in boxing which is unique in such that the aim is to inflict harm on another human-being.
Would they allow sword fighting contests where the winner would be the first to fetch blood?
i am entirely in agreement with AOG here.
The notion that other sports cause injuries is spurious - injuries as a result of any other sport are a by-product, seen as an acceptable risk.]
In boxing - physical harm to an opponent is the object of the exercise - specifically brain damage of sufficient severity to cause the other boxer to be rendered unconcious.
It is no use saying that people participate of their own accord - people participate in heroin addiction of their own accord as well, but society does not encourage them to do so.
As long as there is money to be made, boxing will continue, but it remains a barbaric and loathsome stain on our civilised society.
The notion that other sports cause injuries is spurious - injuries as a result of any other sport are a by-product, seen as an acceptable risk.]
In boxing - physical harm to an opponent is the object of the exercise - specifically brain damage of sufficient severity to cause the other boxer to be rendered unconcious.
It is no use saying that people participate of their own accord - people participate in heroin addiction of their own accord as well, but society does not encourage them to do so.
As long as there is money to be made, boxing will continue, but it remains a barbaric and loathsome stain on our civilised society.
Here in the U.S., not one of the really talented (and successful) boxers over the last several decades had a college (or even high school) degree which would have provided them an opportunity to pursue a career of some sort. All came from the ghettos (mostly black) and would have ended their lives in jail, most likely, but were discovered to have this extremely rare talent... and the rest, as they say, is history.
Most made millions of dollars and all were probably aware of the risks involved... including the now lamentable condition of Muhammad Ali (born Cassius Marcellus Clay, Jr.
Most made millions of dollars and all were probably aware of the risks involved... including the now lamentable condition of Muhammad Ali (born Cassius Marcellus Clay, Jr.
Clanad - what you say is true - but it does not add or subtract from the debate does it?
If your point is that some disenfranchised black men got to make a fortune instead of landing in jail, then that is hardly a rousing endorsement for educational and advancecment opportunities in your country is it?
If they had made a similar amount as drug dealers, which lets face it is a well-trodden career path by similarly disenfranchised individuals, would we be applauding their business sense and contributions to society?
i doubt it.
If your point is that some disenfranchised black men got to make a fortune instead of landing in jail, then that is hardly a rousing endorsement for educational and advancecment opportunities in your country is it?
If they had made a similar amount as drug dealers, which lets face it is a well-trodden career path by similarly disenfranchised individuals, would we be applauding their business sense and contributions to society?
i doubt it.
Clanad - I'm not sure that at the time he started boxing Muhammad Ali would have been aware of the long term risks, as they have only been highlighted in recent decades.
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