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Another Death From Boxing.

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anotheoldgit | 09:51 Mon 08th Apr 2013 | News
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http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/general/others/michael-norgrove-another-death-from-boxing-puts-the-sport-back-in-the-dock-8563578.html

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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Nobody is forced to partake in these sports, they do so of their own accord, fully aware of the risks. And in a lot of cases it is in fact the risk that adds to the thrill.

Does anyone believe that by outlawing boxing it wouldn't take place?
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'.
There have only been 4 fatalities since 1980, considering the number of fights that's a pretty impressive safety record and no I don't think it ought to be banned, I like the idea of freedom of choice.
Question Author
aelmpvw

/// Does anyone believe that by outlawing boxing it wouldn't take place? ///

Well of course not, that's like saying does anyone believe that Fox hunting, Bear baiting, Cock fighting etc, etc wouldn't take place.
Fishing is the most dangerous sport/hobby in the UK. Far more people die each year from fishing than boxing.

Particulalr with people sea fishing. They either get washed away by huge waves when standing on dangerous rocks by the sea, or are in small boats that sink or whatever.

Lets ban fishing.
How many people die of boredom? should it be banned?
Question Author
VHG

/// Lets ban fishing. ///

That's just being silly, in boxing one has two human beings trying to knock each other unconscious, for the amusement of the crowd.

One might say why not bring back Gladiatorial contests?
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.
"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.

Question Author
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?
Boxing is done at ones own risk, not sure what you are getting at here.
No, it should not be banned.

This is exactly the sort of thinking I would expect from a labour nanny state not you AOG!
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.
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.
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.
ANOTHER? death from boxing, last death from boxing was 18 years ago!!
I say lets give it another 18 years and if another boxer dies we should do something about it..!
MrIncredible - I do hope your answer was ironic, and its irony was lost in the transfer between your mind and the printed page on site.
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.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dementia_pugilistica

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