The Combat Sports Commission of Western Australia has rejected a request for a groundbreaking bare-knuckle boxing event to be held in Perth. According to a spokesperson for the commission, the board concluded that the event did not fulfill the necessary criteria required for approval.
The decision follows heightened scrutiny aimed at the event from both medical professionals and political opposition over the past few weeks. Dr. Page, a noted medical expert, expressed concern regarding the safety of combat sports, differentiating between bare-knuckle boxing and more established combat sports like mixed martial arts and boxing. He raised alarms about the potential for long-term health effects from repeated head trauma and concussions, questioning whether such violent sports should be sanctioned in society.
Dr. Page stated, “We need to be looking at all combat sports and really wondering whether people punching each other in the head and causing short and long-term brain damage is something that as a society we should be condoning.” He emphasized that the commission’s decision was justified and not hypocritical, as it aligns with concerns regarding the safety of participants, regardless of the types of combat sports previously approved.
This recent decision coincides with ongoing discussions about safety in combat sports, especially after the tragic death of boxer Ubayd Haider in Fiji, where the absence of key medical protocols was highlighted as a significant issue. The findings from an inquiry into that incident have paved the way for greater scrutiny and potential reform in safety measures within the boxing community.
The rejection of the bare-knuckle boxing event in Perth, while disappointing for some, reflects a growing awareness and prioritization of athlete safety in combat sports. It’s a hopeful reminder that dialogues around health and safety can lead to more responsible regulations, thereby fostering a safer environment for all athletes involved in each sport.
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