Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C and HIV tests. In Nevada, the requirements are the same as New York, but the MRI is required every five years, along with a one-time MRA (a specialized MRI scan) that rules out an aneurysm or vascular malformation. And if a fighter has not reached 18 years of age, is 39 or older, hasn’t competed in the last 36 consecutive months or has competed in more than 425 rounds, the athlete will have to undergo more extensive testing. The proposed amendments by TKO/ Zuffa Boxing to the Professional Boxing Safety Act of 1996 (H.R. 4626) are the most extensive – including requirements regarding performance-enhancing drug testing. There is a positive and negative side to these recommendations. First, as a neurologist and someone who has worked with many fighters, the advanced testing including an MRI and MRA when the athlete first competes and then every three years thereafter is wonderful. Smaller promoters could have a more difficult time if this passes in its current form, though. “Club shows” are an important stomping ground for young fighters. For an already licensed fighter, the medical evaluations differ even further depending upon what happened in their last bout or the requirements to get off suspension. Even under the current system, there is no data bank holding all the medical test results a fighter undergoes through commissions. As a result, Indiana does not have access to the medical results a fighter underwent in California. Besides lack of safety and uniformity implications, what is the problem with all this? Two words: COMMISSION SHOPPING! Among those working in the sport, we ascribe the term “weak commission” to a jurisdiction where the testing requirements are limited (like Indiana) or where it is less rigorous to license a fighter. This certainly doesn’t mean that those working for these commissions don’t care about the welfare and
Fighters like Riddick Bowe, Meldrick Taylor and even Mike Tyson were permitted to continue way past their primes due to inadequate testing or commissions with an insufficient conscience, or because of more inventive routes – declaring a fight an exhibition or “shopping” the event to a more lenient jurisdiction.
safety of the combatants, but their requirements have not been extended, as it often takes state regulators to propose the changes. Furthermore, these smaller commissions don’t have the personnel or budgets to require more. I think social media has often inappropriately revealed the difficulties in adjudicating results when a fighter tests positive for a PED. It often becomes a “hot potato” for regulators where no one wants the laborious task. Most commissions don’t have the legal staff to adequately defend the result. What becomes an even more difficult task is to determine if a boxer should continue their career after a series of losses or too much ring time. It seems like a simple task. As fans, we typically recognize when a boxer should call quits to their career. Unfortunately, that’s another way commission shopping can come into play. Commissions like Nevada, California and New York impose strict follow-up testing for a fighter 40 and over, or one who – to their eyes – hasn’t looked decent in several bouts irrespective of whether they won or lost. Other commissions may impose repeat or more extensive medical tests, especially if the fighter has a “name,” and they
might be feeling public pressure in approving their license. Even a name boxer long past his/her prime can be matched against a lower-level opponent and still put on a decent showing and sell tickets. Perhaps they even garner a few wins to look better on BoxRec. Too many commissions “fold their tent,” turn a blind eye and approve the boxer to compete in fewer rounds or against a less qualified opponent. No matter how many medical tests or exams are ordered, they may not demonstrate cerebral (brain) atrophy or small areas of damage. And no pre- mortem test can confirm CTE (chronic traumatic encephalopathy). Fighters like Riddick Bowe, Meldrick Taylor and even Mike Tyson were permitted to continue way past their primes due to inadequate testing or commissions with an insufficient conscience, or because of more inventive routes – declaring a fight an exhibition or “shopping” the event to a more lenient jurisdiction. You might say it’s the boxer’s right to continue knowing the risks of CTE or worse, but that’s not the job of a commission. Bottom line: A license to compete needs to be earned. It remains a privilege – especially in boxing.
THE FIGHT DOCTOR A BOXING LICENSE IS NOT A RIGHT By Dr. Margaret Goodman
physical examination, ophthalmological exam, MRI scan and EKG (heart) interpretation. Lastly, the forms must be signed (and hopefully administered) by a licensed medical doctor (MD) or doctor of osteopathy (DO). This is where things become a bit confusing and sticky. To obtain a professional boxing license in the state of Indiana, for example, all the boxer needs is a physical exam performed not more than one year before the date of the event along with negative test results for the presence of HIV and Hepatitis C antibodies and the antigen to Hepatitis B. Contrasting this with the New York State Athletic Commission, the requirements are more extensive: EKG, dilated eye exam by an ophthalmologist, CBC (complete blood count) and platelet count, brain MRI within three years of the competition date, pregnancy test (females) and the
E very fighter has to prove their eligibility to compete – very much like a driver’s license, for which one has to pass a test. When you see a boxer enter the ring, they have undergone medical evaluations. Sadly, the required examinations vary from state to state, country to country, and the lack of uniformity contributes to
limited fighter protection. The Association of Boxing Commissions (ABC) supports uniformity, but in reality they have no authority over which medical tests a commission requires and how often specific tests should be performed. There are recommendations. The ABC website lists guidance forms for a
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