Dear Editor,
I would like to offer a response to an editorial published recently in your paper by Dr. Mequi’s regarding amateur boxing (Nov 7-14, 2010 edition). The article was sent to me by Mr. Fred Block, with whom I have worked for many years as a volunteer for amateur boxing in the United States. I am a ringside physician, and would like to offer a counter point to Dr. Merqui’s statements, many of which I disagree with. I hope you will publish my letter. Thank you for your consideration.
I read the article by Dr. Mequi in the November 7-14 issue of the Dumaguete Metro Post. I understand the position that many physicians take regarding the sport. To be honest, at the professional level, I think the sport is an extremely tough way to make a living, and the boxers are at high risk for acute and chronic brain injury. Amateur boxing, however, is completely different. Although I was initially quite skeptical, having been a ringside physician for over 14 years I am amazed at the overall safety of the sport compared to other contact sports (e.g. football, hockey, lacrosse), and the lengths the adult organizers go to in order to ensure and improve safety for the participants. Do concussions occur? Of course they do, but that is true of all contact sports. The difference is that when an amateur boxer gets a concussion, or even is suspected of one, the match is ended, he or she is examined by an attending physician, and appropriate medical steps are taken, including a mandatory exclusion from sparring for at least one month. What other contact sport takes such precautions with their athletes? I am also impressed that the vast majority of coaches place the safety of the boxers as the highest priority, and together with the referees and physicians, work together to make sure the sport is safe and rewarding for the kids. For many kids, I think the amateur boxing programs provide one of the safest, most productive, and valuable environments available. Though I do not doubt the sincerity of Dr. Mequi’s concerns, his commentary indicates that he has had no actual experience in amateur boxing programs.
As a ringside physician I am very receptive to quality medical data regarding amateur boxing, as are my colleagues. We discuss such studies when we meet, and some of us are actively involved in research in this area. However, I am not persuaded by the arguments of physicians who have a personal issue with the sport, and are willing to invoke data taken from professional boxing and inappropriately apply it to amateur, Olympic-style boxing. My personal experience of 14 years, as well as that of my committed and caring medical colleagues, is at odds with Dr. Mequi’s opinions. Using phrases like “Child Abuse” is not only an absurd hyperbole aimed at stirring up passions, it shows a total lack of understanding about the sport and organization of amateur boxing. Just as I welcome the opportunity to attend medical symposia dealing with the issue of brain injury in sports, I would implore Dr. Mequi and his associates to spend some time at the gym with the boxing program so they can observe first hand how safe it is, and how committed the organizers (the vast majority of whom are volunteers) are to ensuring and improving participant safety.
Steven Brooks, MD
Augusta, Georgia
United States
