Comments Thread For: Damage: The Untold Story of Brain Damage in Boxing

[champion4ever]

What most scientists don't take in account are the training camps that these fighters have to endure for each fight. On average most camps lasts around eight weeks. In that span these fighters are absorbing more head trauma than they are in actual fights. They are called "gym wars". This is where most of the fighters sustain the majority of these brain injuries over the stretch of their careers like James Toney.

[champion4ever]

Also, when it comes to Muhammad Ali; By all accounts he was a very light trainer. He even admitted that he hated to train. He took it easy in training camps. He hardly ever sparred or got hit in camp. The most he would do is work on staying in shape through physical fitness for a fight with roadwork, skipping rope, punching the heavy bag and hitting the speed bag.

[Liondw]

It's a very tough one, because a boxer's aim is to hurt their opponent, to the body and the head.

There are guys that can take a lot of punishment and they don't suffer that much at the end of their careers, and the other guys take punishment in one fight and it's very damaging for life.

Think of a fighter like George Chuvalo, who's probably the toughest boxer in history, in terms of a man who could take relentless punishment and never went down.

Then there was a really tragic occurrence with Gerald McClellan, one of the best fighters at the time and then he suffered the damaging effects after the Benn fight.

My respect goes out to all professional boxers stepping inside that ring. You don't play boxing the way you can play tennis or golf. This sport is brutal.

[champion4ever]

Most retired boxers nowadays don't sound like they've been punched in head for a living you'd never know.
Paul malignaggi, David haye, Tony bellew. Carl Froch was interviewed other day and he was well spoken. Even posh sounding, the voice he used whilst fighting was more thugish like an act.

However, they are all still young though in their 40s. We need to wait till they get into their late 50s and 60s to see what extent of damage or any have been caused to their brain.

[VashDBasher]

Hard sparring takes a big toll on these fighters. Gerald McClellan was known for going to war with Hearns during their sparring sessions and the Benn fight was just the nail in the coffin. It’s why some fighters choose to do more mitt work over sparring.

[tonysoprano]

Hard sparring takes a big toll on these fighters. Gerald McClellan was known for going to war with Hearns during their sparring sessions and the Benn fight was just the nail in the coffin. It’s why some fighters choose to do more mitt work over sparring.

Yeah the Kronk was known for gym wars. Tough gym in Detroit with a lot of bad mofo's in there, you had be tough to survive it.

I don't think elite fighters do a lot of hard sparring anymore. Nigel Benn definitely didn't. I'd bet Canelo's spars are very controlled and probably got 18-20 OZ gloves on as well. If you're at a certain level the value of hard sparring is questionable. Plenty of other stuff you can do in the gym.

[xxlefthookxx]

Everyone knows it but nobody wants to discuss it or do anything about it. Maybe managers should be required to spar as many rounds as the fighters. Trainers too. In the same way. Ban headshots in sparring and ban anyone caught doing it. Sure, an occasional shot may slip through, but it would be the exception. Remember, if NOBODY is practicing head shots, then EVERYONE is at the same disadvantage come fight time. Baseline CTs and MRIs. Mandatory post-fight.

[HandsofIron]

I got a riddle for Thomas Hauser, check it out.

The greatest fighter of all time, Roberto Duran, also fought on too long just like others but he didn't end up in poor health. In fact the guy's completely fine, totally normal - no slurred speech, no signs of traumatic brain injury or pugilist dementia.

How is it possible that Duran is still in excellent health despite fighting way past his prime? Is it a testament to Duran's awesome, unparalleled fighting abilities? It's beyond me.

[VashDBasher]

Yeah the Kronk was known for gym wars. Tough gym in Detroit with a lot of bad mofo's in there, you had be tough to survive it.

I don't think elite fighters do a lot of hard sparring anymore. Nigel Benn definitely didn't. I'd bet Canelo's spars are very controlled and probably got 18-20 OZ gloves on as well. If you're at a certain level the value of hard sparring is questionable. Plenty of other stuff you can do in the gym.

Agreed. Controlled sparring and bigger gloves is the key. I like the way Hatton’s gym handles the sparring. They prohibited heavy head shots and only allowed body shots.

[miniq]

The dark side of boxing that nobody wants or likes to talk about.

See Magomed Abdusalamov