Right: a doctor checks a boxer in between rounds. The boxing industry points to these measures as an indication of how seriously it takes its responsibilities towards its fighters.
Arguments against banning boxing
1. Other sports are more dangerous than boxing It has been claimed that boxing suffers unjust discrimination because of the apparently inherent violence of the sport. Its defenders note that boxing actually involves less risk than a number of other popular sports. Boxing's defenders note that fatalities relative to the number of participants are actually lower in boxing than they are in many other sports. A 2012 study conducted in  Drawing on this study, a comment published in The Conversation on March 20, 2015, noted, '[M]otor sports, fishing, equestrian activities and swimming all led to more deaths in a year than boxing, which didn't even make it into the top ten.'
A study conducted fifteen years earlier in 2000 found that 'motor vehicle
accidents and falls were far more likely to kill people than boxing or any
other sport.' Regarding the situation in Britain, a report published in The Daily Mail on August 5, 2016, stated, 'Research released by health and wellbeing provider Benenden found football was the sport most likely to cause injuries, followed by running, rugby, cycling and swimming. This was despite the public's perception that boxing, rugby, horse riding, martial arts and weightlifting were the most injury-prone sports.' The injustice of popular perceptions has been noted by those who claim that when fatalities occur in other sports this usually does not lead to calls for a ban. James F. Donnelly, lecturer in Psychology, School of Health and Human Sciences, Southern Cross University and the author of the March 20, 2015, opinion piece published in The Conversation noted, '[T]he death of a young NSW rugby player, Jake Kedzlier, after being struck in the face by a player's knee led to statements about having weight classes for leagues and it being a "freak accident", as though injuries were not inherent in that contact sport.' The skewed perceptions critics have was noted by Craig Johns in an opinion piece published in Chronicle Live following Scott Westgarth's death. Johns stated, ' Sadly, the nature of the sport means that injuries, and sometimes even death, is a possibility. But the reality is that's the case in any sport. Footballers have died on the pitch. How many of us have embraced the Winter Olympics this month? Can anyone tell me some of the sports they do are less dangerous than boxing? The figures will tell you they're not. Boxing is very low down on the list of sports that cause serious injury/death.' 2. Boxers willingly enter the sport knowing the risk Supporters of boxing argue it is a sport in which the risks are known and that those who enter the sport willingly take them on. They argue that those who would ban the sport have no right to override the wishes of those who are knowingly and consciously participating in an activity they enjoy despite the dangers involved. Following the recent death of British light-heavyweight Scott Westgarth, sporting commentator Bob Westerdale, who knew Westgarth well, wrote, 'I cannot get out of my mind the last words Scott spoke to me: Boxing is about taking risks and I will take them.' A similar claim has been made by Craig Johns in an opinion piece published in Chronicle Live on March 5, 2018, in which Johns states, ' Unfortunately, as is often the case in these circumstances, [Scott Westgarth's] death has been used as means to attack the sport and call for it to be banned. To do so is wrong, and certainly not something Scott himself would want. He loved the sport and, just as his father had done before him, dedicated his life to it. His final interview just moments before collapsing in his dressing room is telling...[Scott stated,]"I'll box anyone. I just enjoy it. I do it for fun, not because I think I'm going to be a world-class fighter. I just do it purely for entertainment and I'm glad we can put on a show and keep everybody entertained."' Johns concluded his opinion piece claiming, ' All boxer's know the risks, and they all choose to participate in the sport.' A similar attachment to the sport of boxing has been expressed by many fighters. English boxer Matty Mainwaring has stated, 'I'm not an aggressive person. I just love the sport.' Mainwaring's coach, Kieran Farrell, who quit fighting after a boxing-induced brain injury, has stated, 'I got to age 18 and turned professional and when I was doing that there was nothing else that I ever thought of. I worked for my dad tarmacking, but that was just to get a few quid to get taxi money to get to the gym. There was nothing else, ever...' Some boxers have also claimed that in common with other sports involving a degree of personal risk, the adrenaline surge is part of boxing's appeal. Luke Jackson, captain of the Australian 2012 Olympic boxing team, has stated, 'It's an alpha-male kind of thing. They want to race cars, that's a very dangerous thing, they want to surf huge waves, that's a very dangerous thing...' 3. Boxing is closely regulated and boxers are medically supervised The World Boxing Federation has established rules to provide boxers with the greatest likelihood of avoiding serious injury or death. Boxers should have regular physical exams by a doctor approved by his or her local boxing commission. The boxer, or contestant, must have the results of his or her physical exam available at each contest, proving he or she is in good health for the contest. The boxer needs to wear the proper gear for the fight. Headgear (allowed in amateur competitions only) is usually multi-layered and gel-lined, and it covers the head, ears, cheeks and often the chin. A mouthguard will protect the boxer's teeth, while handwraps will help protect his or her hands by acting as an added buffer against impact for the bones and skin. Male boxers should wear protective cups, while female boxers should wear breast protectors. The ringside physician is present and able to enter the ring between rounds to assess the boxers' health and safety. The physician can inform the referee his or her findings and recommendations about either opponent. Opponents are determined according to their weight, age and experience. These criteria help to assure the safety of the boxers so they are not overmatched by their opponents. As in any sport, the boxer should train and condition properly. Boxing requires endurance, speed, strength, agility and balance training. All of these elements can help to keep a boxer safe in the ring. Referees also have the power to stop a bout anytime they feel a boxer is overmatched--before the boxer gets hurt or knocked down. Others who can stop the match include the ringside doctor, either boxer or the event holder. Victorian boxing regulations specifically state that the medical practitioner is responsible for supplying an auriscope and opthalmoscope, airway support equipment, oxy-viva mask and oxygen. A spinal board is provided by the promoter. Pre and post contest examination forms are provided by the Board. Before the commencement of a contest the medical practitioner and the referee must agree on a clear, pre-determined means, whether by bell, hammer, prescribed hand signal or another method, by which the medical practitioner can indicate the need for or desirability of a medical examination of a contestant during the contest; and stop the fight. The medical practitioner must sit ringside in a position adjacent to the stairs to allow prompt access to the ring; that allows effective communication with the referee; and that ensures that they have an unobstructed view of the combatants at all time during a contest, including between rounds. 4. Boxing is a popular sport which attracts large crowds Supporters of boxing argue that its continuing popularity provides no justification for the sport to be banned. Boxing remains a very popular sport with huge numbers of fans in many countries around the world. In the An April 25, 2015, fight between Wladimir Klitschko and Bryant Jennings brought 17,000 fans to The author of the Forbes report, Robert Tuchman, concluded, 'Consumers do still care about boxing on a fairly tangible level. The sport is not going anywhere...' An ESPN report published on September 9, 2016, noted boxing's continuing popularity in Television viewership figures are robust on Sky Sports, the all-sports subscription network that has made boxing a major part of its schedule. BoxNation, an all-boxing subscription channel founded by Hall of Fame promoter Frank Warren shows significant fights from within the The popularity of the sport in In Australia, while boxing spectator numbers may not be growing at the rate occurring in the United Stated or 5. The boxing industry is a significant contributor to economic growth It has been claimed that the boxing industry is a major promoter of economic growth in those countries where the sport flourishes. Large, audience-attracting events have been claimed to be of particular economic benefit. In April 2017, prior to the Jeff Horn-Manny Pacquiao world welterweight championship bout, Queensland premier Annastacia Palaszczuk stated, 'The match is a highlight on the state's major event calendar and is set to deliver an expected $15.8 million economic boost to the city.'
The Minister for Tourism and Major Events, Kate Jones, claimed that securing
the World Boxing Organisation (WBO) Welterweight World Title Fight was a major
coup for Brisbane and the local tourism industry. Ms Jones stated, 'This
blockbuster event will raise Queensland's profile in many of our key
international tourism markets including the United States, United Kingdom, New
Zealand, China and South East Asia... Our message to visitors is come to
Brisbane and enjoy the best of what the city has to offer and take this
opportunity to stay on to experience a Queensland holiday.' Brisbane Lord Mayor Graham Quirk has further stated, 'Major events like this contribute more than $100 million to Brisbane's growing economy every year, and together with our wider tourism industry supports 64,700 local jobs.' AmCham, a body representing international business interests, throughout Australia and the United States, has stressed the economic advantages to states and nations of hosting major professional sporting contests including boxing. They have referred to the impact of the Jeff Horn-Manny Pacquiao boxing contest, the first international boxing match held in AmCham has stated, 'Hosting sporting events creates business opportunities across trade, investment, education and tourism.' |
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