Boxing coaches encourage parents to let their children fight

A Canterbury boxing coach has told parents boxing is more than violence.

In March, boxer Nick Blackwell was put into an induced coma after his fight with Chris Eubank Jr, sparking debate – How safe is boxing?

Sarah and Russell Harrison, of City Boxing in Canterbury, have encouraged parents to let their children pursue boxing.

Sarah said: “Once you explain to the parents that it is a sport, it’s not that we’re going to stick two kids in the ring and say go on off you go, it’s the one that can beat the other one up. It’s not about that, and they understand that firstly it’s about exercise, getting them moving and having fun.

“When they’re ready they get in the ring and then theirs conditions on it, so they’re still not getting in there and smacking each other around the ring. It is about scoring points so that could be head shots body shots and it’s supervised at all times.”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iZGKpqD2TQ4&feature=youtu.be

Mike Loosemore, lead consultant at the Institute of Sport Exercise and Health, believes boxers are being protected as much as they can.

He said: “Boxers are protected by being matched properly, good refereeing and good corner work.

“If they do get injured then good ringside medical support and rapid evacuation to a neurosurgical unit is required.”

Combat sports carry a certain stigma with them, and the recent death of Joao Carvalho at a UFC event in Dublin has had some people call for the use of headgear in Boxing, UFC and Mixed Martial Arts.

However, research by the Institute of Sport Exercise and Health has shown that there was “approximately 50% fewer concussion WITHOUT head gear.”

Check out 6 of England’s best boxers here!

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