Benny\’s Beat By BENNY PIKE
THERE must be an Olympic Games in the near future – around this time in the lead-up to at least the last four Games, the Australian Medical Association gets on its white horse and rides into town with the perennial ban the boxing campaign.
The controversial push comes 11 months out from Rio, but also includes the Commonwealth Games on its bucket list.
In a position statement on the sport, released last weekend, doctors say all forms of combat sport for people under 18 should be prohibited.
The call also extends to media coverage of boxing to be subject to control codes similar to TV screening of violence.
They’re also calling for medical staff to be present at every contest, able to stop bouts, examine and call off fights when necessary.
AMA President and neurosurgeon Brian Owler, leads with his chin in saying ‘the aim of boxing is to knock out an opponent, which is inherently dangerous and sometimes fatal’.
Mr Owler continues his attack “as medical practitioners, the AMA is concerned by any sports that involves displays of interpersonal violence, and where the goal is to injure the opponent to the point that they are unable to continue“.
Dear oh dear, I have lost count of the number of times I have had to defend my sport from these out of touch accusations that clearly show the good doctor hasn’t been to a recent boxing tournament.
Local coaches Israel Kani and Mark Evans have put in enormous hours to successfully train both men and women in the art of self-defence.
The good doctor is relating back to the old days, where most blokes who put the gloves on, were aiming to help feed their family.
Amateur boxing is tightly controlled and the official clubs are run under the International Boxing rules, where a doctor must be present at the weigh-in, check each fighter and can stop a bout when he or she feels necessary.
I have just come back from the recent Pacific Games in Port Moresby, and yes, boxing was well received and yes there was a doctor present at all times.
In fact, Tewantin’s Sam Cameron-Hands will be in the ring this week at the World Youth Boxing Championships in Russia.
I doubt Sam would be fighting if he wasn’t skilled in the tools needed to defend himself.
It’s a shame the AMA always take aim at the amateurs, rather than the cage fighters or the people who go around king-hitting on Friday nights.
I am sure there are many readers who will have a shot at me due to my recent drink driving charges.
They are entitled to their opinion; I can only apologise and assure you I am ashamed of my actions. I have let many down, in particular my family and friends.
I have activated to fix the problems that have got me down over the past 12 months – it’s no excuse and I will do my best to never let it happen again. Until next time.
