WHAT IS WRONG WITH BOXING?

Press, Volume LXXXIX, Issue 27125, 22 August 1953, Page 9

WHAT IS WRONG WITH BOXING?

Administration Criticised

“AN EXCELLENT SPORT OF GREAT EDUCATIONAL VALUE”

[Specially written for "The Press” by

"LIBRA"]

“Boxing had little of educational value to offset its many undesirable features,” said Mr Locke, headmaster of Rongotai College, when giving reasons for banning boxing as a sport in his college. He would hardly have expected his action to call for a leading article in the London newspaper with the largest circulation in the world; but such an action in a British country is world-wide news. Mr Locke asked for an impartial investigation into school boxing and boxing generally as it affects the individual boxer. An investigation on similar lines into the later histories of some of our leading footballers would give some interesting results. ’ I agree on the need, for an investigation into controlled boxing generally in this country. If its shortcomings were remedied school boxing could well be left to look after itself. In New Zealand, the Minister of Internal Affairs is responsible for all contests in the country; and he deputes their control to local police authorities. Their supervision is nominal only. True authority. rests with the local boxing association under the remote control of the New Zealand Boxing Association. It is surprising that these associations control both amateur and, professional boxing. In England the separation of the two branches is perhaps too rigidly enforced. To talk to a professional there is almost enough to taint an amateur’s status: but the reasons for the separate control are sound.

Amateur and Professional Amateur boxing does develop sportsmanship, teaches control, and demands superb physical fitness. It is . the most competitive of all sports, professional boxing, on the other hand, is a murderous affair. Victory at any cost is the rule; generally it means tne larger share of the purse, and improves the winner’s earning prospects. Surrounding the whole miserable business is a false “bally-hoo.” The two branches should be cleanly severed. I know of no other country in the world where both are controlled by the same bodies. The purges of the panel of international judges and referees of boxing that follow each Olympic Games have their lesson for New Zealand. After each of the last two Olympic Games about half those officiating were struck off the panel for allowing rules to be broken as well as for giving flagrantly wrong decisions. These officials represent their country; yet nearly every country has aff examination and apprenticeship system for training officials. How much more careful snould we be in New Zealand where we have no examination at all? It should be added that most officials in this country do an excellent job and fill an exacting office with the best interests of the sport at heart.

Damage Always Possible Boxing is a red-blooded sport; and damage is always possible. Rugby players depend on their referee to halt play when a collapsed scrum or ruck may be dangerous. Boxing contestants depend on their referee to halt the contest immediately there is the slightest prospect of damage being done. The two sports are exactly similar in this respect; the risk of damage is no greater in one than in the other. Further, in boxing, medical opinion

is depended bn to prevent a contest— ’ usually with the barred competitor protesting vigorously—in which there f is any doubt of a contestant’s physical fitness. “The show must go on,’’ is too often the attitude of the competitor, the official, and the public, regardless of ■ i conditions.

Perhaps the greatest evil In New Zealand boxing lies in the inadequate medical supervision. I would instance two fatalities in the New Zealand ring, both professional. The first was the case of a man allowed into the ring in a grossly unfit condition. In boxing, without doubt the most demanding of

physical sports, perfect fitness is necessary, and the man who was killed carried heavy condition on the stomach. In the second case the postmortem examination established that the dead boxer had had a “recent surgical incision in the left temple.” It is unbelievable that this young man was allowed to fight an opponent, undoubtedly at the time the hardest puncher in the country, soon after a surgical operation. These aspects of boxing in New Zealand do not inspire confidence in the present control of the sport. As it is, Mr Locke is to be congratulated on his stand. His action does point to the necessity for a complete overhaul of control and administration in this country. Commercialised boxing and the amateur sport should be separated. The aims of these two branches are too dissimilar to be compatible. It is a fact that in many instances profits from amateur tournaments are not ploughed back into the sport, but merely cover the deficits shown on professional bouts.

Examinations Some examination system should be used to ensure competent referees and judges. As it stands men of vague experience, but undoubted Enthusiasm, are appointed with little investigation of their qualifications. The medical examination of boxers should b® tightened up considerably. Each amateur on registration could well be issued with a “contest card,’’ listing the date, the opponent, the result and comment, and noting medical examination before and after the contest. No card, no fight, could well be the rule. A doctor examining the boxer would have the details of his boxing history before him.

Too often is damage done to boxers while training. As an extreme example I have in mind one of our leading professional heavy-weights who finds difficulty in obtaining sparring partners. This is not surprising. Times beyond number he has knocked out, while sparring, comparatively novice amateurs. Such conditions should not be tolerated. Similar damage is often done among amateurs of differing ability. Very strict supervision is required in gymnasiums and schools, for more damage is likely to be done in training than in actual contest. Boxing is an excellent sport of great educational value. It is unfortunate that Mr Locke should have to -take such a firm stand, but the remedy lies elsewhere. His action draws attention to the present slack control of boxing and perhaps points to future improve--ment. As a sport, strictly controlled amateur boxing has few equals, and none surpasses it.