By James Blears
A US doctor with more than a quarter of a century of ringside experience scrutinizing more than 500 fights, is urging referees to be more catlike!
Dr William Lathan is former Director of New York State Athletic Commission and co Medical Chair of the American Association of Improvement of Boxing.
He presented a Focus Group entitled: Critera for bout stoppage to the WBC's Medical Congress in Cancun, Mexico, stressing timliness and positioning are absolutely key to safety.
Dr Lathan suggested refs have to be poised on the front foot to pounce, leap or lurch to save a weakened boxer from pummelling. This he said simply can't be done standing back flat footed.
Dr Lathan said while the role of doctor in stoppages, when consulted is clear. But not so in a proactive sense. He explained getting on to the ring apron and waving it off is something he's only done once in 26 years.
Dr Lathan stressed that silence is NOT golden and does speak volumes. And if a fighter fails to respond to the do you want continue question, it is up to the ringside doctor to have the courage of his convictions and step in to stop hostilities.
Similarly with an eye closed shut, and fifty percent vision gone, only one view should prevail.
The WBC Medical Congress in Cancun, Mexico, has recommended the adoption of pressure laminated mouth guards.
The case was presented by California based dentist Dr Ray Padilla who stressed: " Many boxers are using the best gloves, and protection cups. They must invest in the best mouth guard. It's going to going to allow them to breathe better, talk clearly while it's in their mouth and give them a slight competitive edge."
The cost is 200 dollars.
The pressure laminated mouth guard is made after a dentist makes a mould of the boxer's mouth. It fits like a glove, stays in for the whole bout including between rounds, and can be easily removed if the trainer pushes down on the end of it, releasing the suction effect which neatly dislodges it from the teeth.
The benefit for protecting from concussion has not yet been proved. But it does prevent dental trauma. Doctor Padilla chewed out the stock as well as boil and bite mouth guards as ineffective.
He explained that the reason some boxers feel uncomfortable with mouth guards is because they don't fit properly and fly out when the boxer is punched.
The pressure laminated mouth guard does not come out and can not be swallowd by a fighter who's knocked out.
This key recommendation will go to the WBC's Annual Convention in Manilla in November.
Sugar Shane Mosley and Erik Morales already use these mouth guards made for them by Dr Padilla.
