Boxing Brain Damage

[*2TOUGH*]

Parkinson's has never been linked with boxing past basic speculation.

You are mad if you think there is no CLEAR relationship!!!!!!!

[*2TOUGH*]

[*2TOUGH*]

[T.Horton]

Really makes you wonder how the old timers did 45 round bouts and had 300+ fights and then retire without any bother whatsoever

It really really does

a lot of the time rounds back in those days were defined as over when a fighter hit the ground. in other words, if john L were fighting James Corbett over 45 rounds as soon as there is a knockdown or lull in the action the ref could stop the round. at least that's what I seem to remember, correct me if I am wrong.

[*2TOUGH*]

You ignorant bas*ards, you all act like hard as_ses, check this out - http://www.boxingscene.com/forums/sh....php?p=9479296

[Juof]

imo im the one who wants to box so i must accept the consequences if im taking beatings day in day out losing teeth, its no ones fault but your own if you choose to continue boxing and you accumulate brain damage in the long run. i cant say its boxings fault for giving me brain damage its my own fault for taking up boxing. but i doubt ill get brain damage because if im that bad ill quit while im behind

[*2TOUGH*]

imo im the one who wants to box so i must accept the consequences if im taking beatings day in day out losing teeth, its no ones fault but your own if you choose to continue boxing and you accumulate brain damage in the long run. i cant say its boxings fault for giving me brain damage its my own fault for taking up boxing. but i doubt ill get brain damage because if im that bad ill quit while im behind

Do you honestly think that because you do not get punched in the head so often that 'everyone' or majority of the people dont? Not everyone is a Mayweather so they are bound to get punched in the head. Amateur clubs essentially "use" the lesser members as fodder for the registered members who are the better boxers. Is that fair on the lesser average members who just come for training and exercise. You may even get deluded members who think they can go far in boxing, but deep down the clubs coaches know who is shi_t and who is good. Responsibility to keep sparring "safe" is in the clubs hands.

[kamicazze]

this is one of those things where its difficult to find a definitive answer. I mean rugby players and american football players develop demntia from their sports as the single blows they get to their hear are concussive, pro wrestlers get whacked and concussed all the time. So i understand what your saying, amateur boxing in the ring is safe as there is standing 8 counts etc, however we do not know how much that guy is sparring in the training and how much damage that is being accumalated. Recent studies show that majority of brain cells do regenerate so it could be a case of not sparring so often, maybe having a couple days off inbetween will let the brain heal itself. Its a tricky thing and something im always concious of after a hard sparring session, so then i take a couple of days off head sparring and next time work it light. But at the same time, because of boxing i do not drink or smoke and they kill as many brain cells as boxing so maybe its a catch 22. Id prefer to be the guy going down the gym each night than the drunk stumbling home from the pub. IN my gym theres a poster on the wall that says Boxing MAY harm you but teaches fitness and discipline, drink and drugs just harm you

[Aperion]

See, I know what your saying here, but James Toney does steroids, a LOT of athletes use steroids. Steroids mess up your hormone levels - if you use steroids, over time the body STOPS producing testosterone and other hormones. I mean, A-Rod doesn't even have testicals anymore! The FAR majority of athletes who say "Oh, I have a defenciy, I need to inject testosterone or HGH" are full of **** - they've been using steroids for so long an so often its thrown their natural levels out of wack! Not to mention, once you get past your mid 30s, take a wild guess what starts to happen? That's right, hormone production starts to slow down in the body! I can guarantee you for those of us in our 30s (or older) there is a noticeable difference from this age and the age of 21 for example.

Having said that, the doctor describing the damage to the pituitary gland was very credible, and is a very compelling argument. Things like boxing are done by those that consent to them. Make education of the risks mandatory, however things like boxing, smoking, skydiving, should never be denied to those that chose to do them. I think it is obvious boxing for a long career at the professional level causes brain problems, damage and diseases, and yea a lot of damage is done during training - but the POINT of sparring is not to go out and kill the guy! Its to work on specific things and techniques and strategies, punches are not thrown with full power.

And if you drink a lot, that will definitely mess your brain up worse, a lot of people do and I wouldn't be surprised if heavy drinkers who also box are the most effected. For example, boxing with a hangover would mean your body is depleated and dehydrated - probably the worst thing you can do when dehydrated is get hit in the head because the brain has that much less natural protection. Considering how so many people on earth are drunks, I'm willing to bet alcohol is a factor in at least some boxers who develop brain problems.

[*2TOUGH*]

See, I know what your saying here, but James Toney does steroids, a LOT of athletes use steroids. Steroids mess up your hormone levels - if you use steroids, over time the body STOPS producing testosterone and other hormones. I mean, A-Rod doesn't even have testicals anymore! The FAR majority of athletes who say "Oh, I have a defenciy, I need to inject testosterone or HGH" are full of **** - they've been using steroids for so long an so often its thrown their natural levels out of wack! Not to mention, once you get past your mid 30s, take a wild guess what starts to happen? That's right, hormone production starts to slow down in the body! I can guarantee you for those of us in our 30s (or older) there is a noticeable difference from this age and the age of 21 for example.

Having said that, the doctor describing the damage to the pituitary gland was very credible, and is a very compelling argument. Things like boxing are done by those that consent to them. Make education of the risks mandatory, however things like boxing, smoking, skydiving, should never be denied to those that chose to do them. I think it is obvious boxing for a long career at the professional level causes brain problems, damage and diseases, and yea a lot of damage is done during training - but the POINT of sparring is not to go out and kill the guy! Its to work on specific things and techniques and strategies, punches are not thrown with full power.

And if you drink a lot, that will definitely mess your brain up worse, a lot of people do and I wouldn't be surprised if heavy drinkers who also box are the most effected. For example, boxing with a hangover would mean your body is depleated and dehydrated - probably the worst thing you can do when dehydrated is get hit in the head because the brain has that much less natural protection. Considering how so many people on earth are drunks, I'm willing to bet alcohol is a factor in at least some boxers who develop brain problems.

Yes but they are though.. Most guys who sparr dont care, they just want to pound up on an inexperienced member to "try" new strategies. The way i see it is, if you are getting hit with punches at 50% power then its just as bad.