Issue
#14
Welcome
to issue #14 of Hastings Westhill ABC's newsletter.
The newsletter
is published on an, as and when basis so check back to our
web site www.westhill-boxing.com
on a regular basis .
We are always
happy to publish editorials from guest authors, so if you
wish to assist us with this newsletter, simply email your
suggestions to:
info@westhill-boxing.com
"Welcome
back" to a new season! Before we highlight recent club
activities we are glad to announce the we shall be continuing
the "Ask The Ref" service through the oncoming
season.
"Ask
The Ref"
 Referee
brothers Rees and Peter Hopcraft will be on hand to answer
all your questions.
Between
Rees (pictured left) and Peter there is very little that
will go unanswered so don't hesitate to send your questions
via email to:
info@westhill-boxing.com
All questions
and answers will be published in our regular newsletters
for the benefit of all.
This month's
question was sent in by Andy a concerned parent looking
for sound advice.
Dear Ask
The Ref,
There seems
to be a lot of debate at present surrounding the use of
head guards in amateur boxing, many of the arguments are
scientifically based, or so we are led to believe, however
one of the points raised that I read in a very prominent
boxing magazine was that the head guard obscures the referee
from being able to view a boxers facial expressions and
may lead to the referee missing the signs of genuine pain.
I would
like to ask to questions if I may:
1. Do you
think the above concern is genuine?
2. What
is your opinion - Should head guards be worn or not?
You are
close to the action as it occurs and as such I would value
your opinion.
Andy
Reply
as follows:
Andy,
Thank you
for your question which I have pondered for the last couple
of days!! Full facial head guards like those seen in the
Rocky films are not permitted in amateur boxing, as far
as I am aware, for this very reason.
Boxers of
all ages do not tend to show ‘pain’ via facial
expressions. We have all seen the boxer ‘double up’
holding his sides or the boxer simply turning away from
his opponent. In younger boxers we sometimes see tears.
At this point the ref has to do his job and stop the bout.
The problem we as officials face is that many young boxers
reach their first bout at the age of 11 before even taking
a thump on the nose!!!
As far as
head guards go you  are
asking my personal opinion. This is that head injuries are
the worst in any sport. The boxing head guard does not prevent
knockouts or stoppages. It also does not lead the amateur
to believe he can ‘put his head in’ either by
rolling/slipping and think he cannot injure his opponent.
A small piece of foam or rubber will not prevent the power
of the original punch.
The main
problem with head guards is that they spread the damage
of the blow – i.e. - if you take a blow on the forehead
it will be spread around the head to lessen the blow –
but with a danger to spreading to more dangerous areas like
the temple.
 I
am not a Doctor but AIBA have agreed that head guards must
be used and I can’t see that view changing. To close
all I will say is that my brother and I, who have nearly
200 amateur bouts between us, most of which was before the
head guard rule came in, in the early 1990’s, got
cut badly towards the end of our amateur careers –
both of us wearing head guards at the time.
Best regards,
Rees
Hopcraft
P.s. I will
be officiating at the Worthing show on Oct 18th if you wish
to carry on this debate.
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