Pediatricians take stand against boxing
When it comes to young people participating in boxing, a joint policy between American Academy of Pediatrics and the Canadian Pediatric Society, couldn’t be more clear on where they stand.
They don’t like it.
At all.
Here is their conclusion:
“Despite the ongoing debate regarding boxing and clear opposition from medical associations around the world, boxing continues to be available to youths under 19 years. Because the sport encourages deliberate blows to the head, participants are at risk of head injuries that may be cumulative and even fatal. Pediatricians should strongly discourage boxing participation among their patients and guide them toward alternative sport and recreational activities that do not encourage intentional head injuries.”
At the Hanover Park Park District’s Boxing Academy, athletic supervisor Kyle Thomas stresses safety first.
“Each boxer’s hands are wrapped and they all have to wear a mouthpiece,” Thomas said. “We have the proper safety equipment and there’s no sparring for the kids in the beginner’s classes.”
Gary Dobry, owner of Pug’s Boxing Gym in Crystal Lake, has heard all about the concerns over head injuries and concussions.
“The worst injury I’ve seen in a boxing gym in all the years I’ve been doing this is a bloody nose,” said Dobry, who’s been in boxing for over 20 years. “You get that every day on a soccer field or a football field.”
Dobry said the combination of fitness, safety equipment, proper technique and the points system used in amateur boxing that makes it safer than people would assume.
“Boxing is an endurance sport; kids fight one-minute rounds when they’re 7 or 8 years old,” Dobry said. “If I told you to go sprint for a minute, it would be tough. After like 20 seconds, those kids’ punches start to become fluff.
“In amateur boxing, up to the Olympics, there’s no knockouts. If I hit you with one punch and it floors you, and you hit me with two light jabs, you win. So these kids are thinking in terms of points.”
— Mike Spellman