Boxing

Boxing is a combat sport that entails punching one's opponent. In both amateur and professional versions, the fighters wear padded gloves, attacking only with the front of the fist. In professional boxing each round usually lasts for three minutes and there may be 4-12 rounds in a bout. The winner is the one who knocks out his opponent or is judged to be the winner at the end of the bout or if the referee or ring side doctor stops the fight. Boxing is also called Pugilism and prizefighting.

Medical Concerns

Technique and Equipment

Boxing techniques utilize very forceful strikes with the hand. There are many bones in the hand, and striking surfaces without proper technique can cause serious hand injuries. Today, most trainers do not allow boxers to train and spar without handwraps and gloves. Handwraps are used to secure the bones in the hand, and the gloves are used to protect the hands from blunt injury, allowing boxers to throw punches with more force than if they did not utilize them.

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Throughout the latter part of the 19th century and the whole of the 20th century, amateur and professional boxing operated in parallel. In the final quarter of the 20th century, however, professional boxing lost much of its popular support. Traditional concerns about bruises and black eyes gave way to more serious concerns about long-term eye and brain damage. Medical checks on boxers, and medical supervision of their fights, became an increasingly important feature of both amateur and professional boxing.

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Headgear, used in amateur boxing, protects against cuts and scrapes, but does not protect very well against concussions. Most boxers aim for the chin on opponents, and the chin is usually not padded. Thus, a well-placed uppercut can do damage to a boxer, and even a jab that connects with the chin will usually cause some pain, regardless of whether or not headgear is being utilized.

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Length of Bouts

In the past, matches were traditionally fought for up to fifteen rounds in professional boxing, but the death of boxer Duk Koo Kim in November of 1982 after a fight with Ray Mancini began to change that. By 1988, all fights had been reduced to a maximum of 12 rounds only. With the discovery, in April of 2004, that Heavyweight Joe Mesi, a relatively new, undefeated prospect, had suffered several blood clots to his brain during a win against Vassiliy Jirov, more medical testing may be required for professional boxers. However, by May, 2004, doctors had only said that they will look at the matter. Mesi has expressed desire to continue fighting; his critics say he could face death if he ever fights again.

Related Topics:
Duk Koo Kim - November - 1982 - Ray Mancini - 1988 - April - 2004 - Joe Mesi - Vassiliy Jirov - May - Death

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However, in spite of the dangers involved, boxing has continued to thrive due to multi million dollar super-fights. Moreover, most of the good contenders come from the poorer sections of the society for whom boxing is seen as a ticket out of poverty.

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