AAPRP Announces ‘Medical Recommendations To Improve Safety In Boxing’

Darien, Connecticut – October 7, 2005, – At the request of boxing commissions and in response to the recent ringside tragedies, The American Association of Professional Ringside Physicians (AAPRP) announced today recommendations to improve safety in professional boxing. At the recent AAPRP Medical Conference in Atlantic City, New Jersey, the AAPRP Board Members in cooperation with the AAPRP membership discussed immediate changes in boxing to decrease the likelihood of additional injuries or catastrophes in boxing. Dr. Michael Schwartz, AAPRP Chairman stated, “It is time that we urge all commissions across the world to develop uniformed standards to protect these athletes. In an inherently dangerous sport, it is imperative that these recommendations be adopted immediately in the hope of saving a life. Obviously, additional research is needed and we ask all of our ringside physician experts to continue to investigate and develop ringside protocols to improve the sport.”

Below are the AAPRP Recommendations:

All sparring should take place with oversized gloves to minimize the cumulative forces of the punches during training. (i.e. Heavyweights 20-22 oz gloves…Middleweights 16 oz gloves and lightweights 12 oz gloves, etc.)
Minimize head shots during training to decrease the likelihood of pre-existing damage prior to entering the ring for the competition.

All states immediately adopt the minimum medical requirements of the ABC and AAPRP. If these requirements are not adopted, the AAPRP asks promoters and sanctioning bodies to consider not holding boxing matches in these venues until they comply with these recommendations.

Boxers who have not fought for over 12 months should not fight more than 10 rounds. The question of inactivity raises concerns about the likelihood of increased risks of injuries based on inactivity and conditioning.

Fighter’s not be permitted to lose more than 3% body weight at the weigh-in before a fight. Additionally, no fighter gaining more than 5% body weight should be permitted to compete after the weigh-in.

Medial data bank is implemented immediately to follow the medical history during a boxer’s career.

Promoters, managers, cornermen, commissioners are encouraged to anonymously report boxer’s whom they believe are showing early changes consistent with brain damage. This information will then be investigated and (if necessary) be utilized to require more tests or to terminate a boxer’s career.

The ringside physician should remain at the venue until all the competitors have left the
arena.

The ringside physician should notify the local hospital and on-call neurosurgeon that a
boxing match will be taking place.

10) No fighter who is Hepatitis C or HIV antibody positive should be permitted to fight even

if the virus is undetectable in their blood.

11) Further research (i.e. the medical severity index, the Impact concussion study, rapid

HIV/infectious disease testing, etc.) is encouraged and should be utilized to determine

those at greater risk for injury.

12) A minimum of two ringside physicians should attend every boxing match.

For more information, please contact the AAPRP (Ringsidemd@aol.com ), visit our website at www.AAPRP.Org or call (203) 662-8900.

Established in 1997, the AAPRP was created to develop medical protocols and guidelines to ensure the safety and protection of professional boxer. The not-for-profit association is comprised of experienced ringside physicians from around the world who are dedicated to the medical aspects of the sport of boxing. Since its inception, the AAPRP has consistently grown to include physicians from around the globe who are working together toward a common goal of helping to ensure the health, safety and protection of professional boxers.