By Ian S Palmer
After a long 32 years the European nation of Norway is finally lifting its ban on the sport of boxing. The Norwegian government put an end to most combat sports including karate and kick boxing way back in 1981. However, with a new Conservative government now in place after recent elections, boxing and other sports will now be allowed. There is one catch though; boxers will be made to wear head gear when competing in the ring.
There isn’t much opposition to lifting the ban other than the typical voices of certain doctors and surgeons who say that boxing should be outlawed. These people can be found in every nation in the world though as they don’t believe boxing is a safe sport. As well as being forced to wear head gear, the bouts can be scheduled for just a maximum of 12 minutes. This would equate into four three-minute rounds or six two-minute rounds.
Supporters of boxing realize there are certain restrictions that must be adhered to, but feel at least they’re headed in the right direction and the rules may be loosened in the years to come. One person who is thrilled with the news is Cecilia Braekhus, who’s regarded as one of the top female boxers pound-for-pound in the world. The welterweight is undefeated with a record of 23-0 and has seven knockouts to her name. Braekhus is currently in Uganda, and said, “This is so exciting. I look forward to coming home.”
Those who are against full-contact combat sports in Norway include Ingunn Rise Kirkeby, who is one of the nation’s leading brain surgeons. She said he’s advising the new Prime Minister Erna Solberg and the government that they should think this matter over more thoroughly before coming to a decision on it. The doctor, like many others across the globe, feels that head trauma can easily be caused by combat sports. She believes that even with head gear and 12-minute fights the chance for boxers to receive severe brain injuries and concussions is quite high.
Supporters of professional boxing rightfully point out that boxing has been proven to be safer than several other sports. They also point out that if nobody drove a car there wouldn’t be any traffic accidents, so asked if driving should also be banned. In addition, they said certain deep-fired foods and things such as pies, cakes, cigarettes and alcohol can lead to deadly diseases so they should all be banned in the country.
The fight against boxing seems to be a losing battle since in most countries its regulated and there are doctors and ambulances at ringside. Referees are also instructed to end bouts when a combatant appears to be in serious trouble. Doctor Rise Kirkeby is certainly barking up the wrong tree when she suggested that boxers be forced to wear helmets. One boxing supporter laughed this suggestion off as being ridiculous.
He then added, “She’s absolute proof one can have brain damage without having boxed or suffered head trauma by some other means.”
