Originally posted by ESPNBoxer Leavander Johnson died Thursday from injuries sustained five days earlier in a lightweight title fight with Jesus Chavez.
The 35-year-old died at University Medical Center, where he had been hospitalized since being injured in the fight Saturday night at the MGM Grand hotel-casino.
Very sad and tragic, but that's the risk that comes with boxing, I guess.
Cuz if you got friends, and if they don't dance, well they're no friends of mine!
That being said, there is, of course, a legitimate risk of death in any sport that involves repeated blows to the head. But in any sport like that you also need two things you don't have: A national regulatory body and a union. I think both of those would serve to enforce a lot higher standards consitently on health and safety than a Nevada Commission that gets formed because of a relatively high-profile death, and will probably be disbanded once the heat dies down.
The sad truth is that the people who control boxing make a lot more money from the kind of fights where someone can potentially die than from fights where they can't. Maybe that's just a reflection of America. But at the very least, a National (or international) regulatory body and a Union would provide things like better pre- and post-fight medical standards, and hopefully maybe even long-term health insurance and a better financial deal for boxers. The truly sad thing about boxing is that these guys are risking their lives in the ring for basically no money. You can count the number of boxers on two hands that make the amount of money your average punter or backup utility infielder makes a year - and their careers are a lot shorter. And it's not for lack of popularity of the sport - it's totally and completely because of the way it's structured: a lot less like a sport and a lot more like pro-wrestling.
Man's most valuable trait is a judicious sense of what not to believe. - Euripides
Originally posted by MoeGatesI don't think it necessarily "comes with boxing." The ref definitely let the fight go on too long. And there's more here about that fight.
I said "that's the risk that comes with boxing," not "in-ring death comes with boxing." You'd agree, since you typed inasmuch, that a sport that involves repeated blows to the head holds a risk for serious injury and death.
Amazing though that MMA can still be labeled as "barbaric" by politicians and some members of the media when stuff like this is so much more commonplace in the world of boxing. Then again, most on that side of the argument don't really take the time to research these types of things.
(edited by Deputy Marshall on 24.9.05 1508)
Cuz if you got friends, and if they don't dance, well they're no friends of mine!
I hate to open up a new topic, but how is that a reflection of America? Why would that happen more here than anywhere else? Do you really think that poor Thai fighters whose risk is greater(less regulation and poorer medical care) make a greater percentage than American prizefighters?
Deputy is correct. Boxing gets a pass when MMA gets a bad rap. Here in Oregon a few months ago, a local fitness instructor, a 50 something year old woman had her FIRST match against a younger(in 30s I believe) pro. The rookie got worked and went into a coma after the match and is struggling to regain her motor skills.
So far a very disappointing year for the #8 and I wonder how long Waltrip will be staying with D.E.I. Anyway I believe it was a stupid move at the beginning of the season for Dale to switch crew chiefs and pit crews.
Thread rated: 4.53
#
