NZMA calls for an immediate ban on boxing

15 November 2018

Media Release

For immediate use

The New Zealand Medical Association calls for an immediate ban on boxing

The New Zealand Medical Association strongly supports the World Medical Association’s position on boxing, and in particular the statement that boxing is qualitatively different from other sports because of the injuries it causes, and that it should be banned.

NZMA has advocated for some time for a complete ban on boxing and sees little distinction between the professional or amateur ranks of a sport that is regulated to try and minimise harm, where the primary focus is to cause harm to the opponent.

“There is significant evidence that shows the damage that is done to the brain by multiple injuries. In May of this year, the New Zealand Medical Journal published research that highlighted six out of eight amateur, or professional, boxers presenting with early onset dementia and another with dementia” says Dr Kate Baddock, Chair of the NZMA.

“This is unacceptable in today’s society. The NZMA calls for an immediate ban on boxing.”

Further information

May 2018, New Zealand Medical Journal

Word Medical Association

https://www.wma.net/policies-post/wma-statement-on-boxing/

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