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The Boxing Conundrum: Is there a place for a new variant of the sport?

INTRODUCTION

• Boxing is a controversial sport.

• two different forms – professional and amateur boxing

• remain subject to spirited medical, legal, moral and ethical debate.

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BACKGROUND

• form having been included in the Ancient Olympics

• The first standard rules were introduced in 1743

• mid-18th century, gloves are known as ‘mufflers’ were developed

• a number of deaths occurring

• the new set of rules in 1838:  the introduction of a square ‘ring’ surrounded by ropes and the prohibition of biting, head-butting and hitting below the waist. 

• In 1867, the ‘Queensberry Rules for the sport of boxing’ were published 

•  the gloves used in amateur boxing have typically incorporated more padding than those employed in professional boxing

• 1984 it became mandatory for amateur boxers to wear head guards during competition

• many medical groups continue to oppose all existing types of boxing

• some opposition to boxing on nonmedical grounds 

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Boxing Gloves Mufflers Boxing Sporting

a square-shaped area called a boxing ‘ring’

OBJECTIONS TO BOXING

• glorification of violence

• the social effects of the sport and a fundamental intent to harm the opponent. 

• boxing might be exploitative of vulnerable young people

• the sport is essentially in breach of legislation relating to assault and battery

• risk of death or injury

• Inconsistency with common law

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BOXING PROPONENTS 

• development of Physical Fitness ( high aerobic capacity)

• development of positive character traits among its participants (Self-esteem, self-discipline, courage, perseverance, resilience, respect for others, and willingness to comply with rules)

• social benefits – Hope, Opportunity and Pride

• that boxing incorporates profound aesthetic qualities that have worth in their own righ

• boxing provides participants with a controlled outlet for natural aggressive instincts and impulses that if not released would predispose to violent behaviour in other circumstances

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A NEW VARIANT OF BOXING?

• impacts to the head should be prohibited

•  The American Medical Association has recommended the development and deployment of  impact-absorbing gloves

• Box’Tag -A modified form of boxing incorporating characteristics similar to those recommended by the American Medical Association has recently emerged in Australia.

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OVERVIEW OF BOX’TAG CONCEPT

• prohibit impacts to the head or neck, as well as any impacts above a moderate level of force

• to wear head guards and mouthguards as protection against accidental head impact

• male contestants to use groin protectors and for females to use a chest protector

• the arm regions have been added in lieu of the head

• contestants wear T-shirt style vests with a sensor fabric defining the scoring regions

   - silver-coated nylon yarn through which a low-level electrical current can be run

   - a small transceiver worn in a pocket at the back of the vest generates the current

   - patches of conductive material are affixed to the gloves

   - electrical resistance data are transmitted by Bluetooth to a ringside computer

 

IMPROVE

• would require an ability to ensure cost-effective supply of the wearable technology that permits automated scoring

• entailing significant expense (cost minimisation)

•  need to be directed to the ongoing refinement of impact-absorbing gloves to improve the degree of impact absorption and provide a level of comfort that is universally acceptable

• understanding of demographic and socio-cultural factors associated with uptake of the modified sport will need to be sought.

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