There are two interesting stories that will appear in two of tomorrow's local papers. You may know by now that the American Academy of Pediatrics and the Canadian Pediatric Society have come out with a joint statement saying that boxing is unsafe for children and teenagers. The two organizations cite the possibility of concussions, facial damage and other injuries among young people and are trying to get doctors and parents to steer youngsters towards supposedly safer sports like swimming and tennis.
Both the Washington Post and the Washington Times look at this situation and talk to local boxing people who are directly involved in this situation.
The Post's Shemar Woods features the controversy in his profile of 17-year-old DC welterweight Dusty Harrison. The link to that story is here:
"http://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/boxing-mma/at-17-dc-fighter-dusty-harrison-may-have-to-wait-for-next-chance/2011/08/18/gIQAQn1KoJ_story.html">
Meanwhile, the Times's story, written by Ben Wolfgang, focuses on the statements themselves and talk to long-time local boxing coach and official Marshall Cunningham. Here is that article:
"http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2011/aug/29/pediatricians-take-a-swing-at-youth-boxing-as-unsa/">
I would love to hear what the fans think. I may put up a poll question on this later this week.
Like he said, would you rather have your kid running the street? Look what's going on with our youth. The gym and boxing is much safer than the streets. The young guns with the speech slur were taught to bang. Ali said it well, defense skills should be taught first. Then again, I'd rather have my youngin with a speech slur than doing hard time behind bars. We need more funding and more local gyms. Football,soccer, baseball and basketball ain't for everyone. Tough city kids want to box. Plus, kids that are small need a sport that has all sizes, like boxing. Plain & simple: We need more boxing gyms!
ReplyDeleteI would argue that football is FAR more dangerous. Repeated blows to the head EVERY week during the season. At least with boxing, the kid has time to recover.
ReplyDeletePlus, it's either boxing or slinging drugs and guns for some...
I would like to see a amateur boxing vs. football side by side comparison and see what's worse for the end...football inflicts more damage IMO
ReplyDeleteBoxing teaches kids discipline, self confidence, leadership, work ethic, motivation, self worth, it keeps them healthy and in shape. I dont see how anyone could say that boxing is not good for the youth of america...its bad enough you cant hand raise your kid these days without someone calling child services on you, but has this society gotten that soft that we are questioning the art of boxing being bad for kids...come on people, get a grip and quit being ignorant! Dont coddle your kids so much!!!
ReplyDeletePlenty of these young boxers are up jogging already 5:37 am. Plenty of these young teenagers who don't box are just going to bed. They quit school last year and have been up all night smoking weed. Any parent should be proud to have a son involved in boxing. You do not have to be a world champion, but it sure in a beautiful thing to be drug free, healthy, and able to kick someone's ass if needed. Call your local gym today, get that lazy kid off the couch, toss the X-box, and flush his weed. You may end up with a champ instead of the lazy filthy mouth bumb that he is.
ReplyDeleteMMA is much safer!
ReplyDeleteanything is safer than the streets. studies cannot know what each different boxer goes thru. some kids skulls are thicker than others. no way this study is correct. kids all respond different to blows to the head. some it bother-some it dont. some can take it-somce cant. either way-it beats going to central cell block.
ReplyDeleteAfter reading your post, I think you need the help!
ReplyDeleteInteresting Post article about Dusty. According to the article, it took a Washington Post inquiry to spur Dave Holland into action regarding Dusty's age. That kind of reactive enforcement doesn't make the Commission look good.
ReplyDeleteuntil you have tried to be a boxing commissioner don't knock the guy.Dave Holland has some personalty flaws from time to time
ReplyDeletebut the man as do all commissioners have alot of pressure and job liability on them.
Above point taken. Some of the talk regarding Dusty's removal from the card made it sound like a Dave Holland power play. But the rule is pretty explicit. I'm not even sure Holland would have the power to grant a waiver, even if he wanted to.
ReplyDeleteBut even if he could have, I don't think he would have. Can you imagine the outcry that would occur if Holland granted Dusty a waiver, and he got hurt?
Does anybody know when Dusty turns 18?
Dusty get hurt???? LOL....by who? Obviously whoever made that comment doesn't know him or seen him fight. I'm not saying he's superman, but in his 3rd pro fight, he'd still be fighting picked opponents and his team isn't picking incredible hulk for him to fight, cmon.
ReplyDeleteAccording to a realible source,
ReplyDeleteDusty Harrison 2-0 will fight
Argenis Lopez 11-0 from Domincan Republic on September 17th. in Puerto Rico. The contract weight is 144lbs.I hear you can turn pro there at the early age of 15.
Lopez has not fought anyone with a great record. I am sure they did thier homework. Only time will tell!
ReplyDeletehow many rounds? not a good fight. No reason to fight someone 11-0 on your 3rd fight, especially outside the U.S. I don't care if they all eleven had horrible records. Not smart.
ReplyDeleteSaddo Boxing says 6 rounder. I guess he has to go out of the country because of his age. When will he be 18? How long does he have to wait?
ReplyDeleteyou do not have to go out of the country to get fights just because you are under 18 obviously, and MS is NOT the only state a fighter under 18 can fight in. Heard of Jose Benavidez, he also turned pro at 17 and had 5 or so fights before he was 18. He fought in the boxing Mecca, Las Vegas, 3x before he was 18 yrs old.
ReplyDelete