Boxing death brings the usual questions, instead of the important one
I don’t know if a rapid extreme wight cut played a role in Smith’s death, what I do know is we now have another lower weight class fatality to add to the statistics.
Eight fighters are believed to have died in mixed martial arts since its inception in 1993. Rest in peace Douglas Dedge, Lee, Sam Vasquez, Michael Kirkham, Mike Mittelmeier, Dustin Jenson, Tyrone Mims, Felix Elochukwu Nchikwo.
Every early death is a tragedy. But a death in competition is not necessarily an indictment of the entire sport.
42 young people died cheer leading between the fall of 1982 and the spring of 2007. Auto racing has killed countess drivers, and spectators are not immune; a single accident in 1955 killed approximately 60 spectators, and the driver. 28 people are believed to have died running, in marathons alone, in the USA alone, just from 2000-2009. In 2005, four runners died, in a single event, the Great North Run half marathon in the UK.
Boxing has recorded nearly 1,500 deaths since it’s inception in the 1700s. The most recent was this weekend – previously undefeated Australian featherweight boxer Braydon Smith, died on Monday, March 16, following a 10 round decision loss to John Vincent Moralde. He was 23 year old, and in his final year of law school.
In his latest Combat Sports Law blog, Erik Magraken looks at how the media typically responds to deaths in combat sports, and suggests something better.
1. Stories of the fatality break with the usual sympathies expressed
2. Medical authorities and other special interest groups voice concern over combat sports and call for a ban of these barbaric contests.
3. Combat Sports enthusiasts quickly remind opponents that while yes, these sports carry risks, so do many others and combat sports are far from the only risky sports out there with sports such as football, horse-racing, Motorsports and even cheer-leading all having their share of fatalities.
4. Nothing happens.
Lost in this usual cycle is any meaningful change. Yes boxing has inherent dangers. Yes competitors should be made aware of these so they can make an informed decision to participate and no, the sport should not be banned just as hockey, rugby, football, skydiving, scubadiving, skiing and cheerleading should not be banned.
That said, the issue can be studied to see if there are factors that can help reduce the risks.
If you spend any time looking at the trend most deaths in combat sports occur, not with the heavy hitting heavyweights, but rather at the lower weight classes? Let me repeat that, a higher mortality rate occurs in the lower weight classes. Why? It is not the power of strikes generated at these classes. Instead, it is likely the dehydration that accompanies rapid extreme weight cuts which athletes undergo to make weight at the lower classes.
The tolls of rapid extreme weight loss are real and an ongoing concern. I don’t know if a rapid extreme wight cut played a role in Smith’s death, what I do know is we now have another lower weight class fatality to add to the statistics. Stakeholders in combat sports would do well to take the issue of dangerous weight cuts seriously and consider fashioning solutions to lessen the risks associated with the unnecessary practice.