A Closer Look at the AIBA Move that got the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to Remove Headgear from Olympic Boxing

By Tony “The Fighting Writer” Luis

AIBA, the international governing body for amateur boxing, has recently taken a bold step. They successfully filed a motion to the International Olympic Committee to remove headgear from amateur boxing. The IOC approved and this will become effective at this summer’s Olympic games in Rio for senior Males ages 19+.

Dr. Julian Bales, who serves as Special Advisor to AIBA, was featured on HBO’s “Fight Game”. He gave his thoughts on how removing headgear will actually be safer for the athletes and can reduce concussions, as the research study allegedly revealed. His reasoning is that the headgear, due to its padding, presents a bigger target, “perhaps” giving fighters a false sense of security.

He goes on to say that the headgear “probably” leads boxers to lean in with their head, with headgear on. He was pressed on the issue of how no headgear can create a much higher risk for cuts and other facial lacerations. If a cut or swollen eye were severe enough, it could potentially remove a fighter from the Olympic competition, even if he won his match. Dr. Julian Bales’ answer to this was, “I don’t feel any more sorry for him then I would for somebody who blows out their ACL” (more on this later).

HBO’s “Fight Game” also interviewed another physician by the name of Dr. Barry D. Jordan. He had some different thoughts regarding this issue. He questioned the scientific validity in the research study AIBA presented to the IOC, to make their case for no headgear. He outlined the difference between the two types of brain injury, the Acute brain injury and the Chronic brain injury. He explained how a concussion is an example of an Acute brain injury and that headgear would probably not have much influence on the rate of concussion. However, he provides his medical opinion that headgear could protect the fighters from Chronic brain injury, in turn protecting them in later life, primarily from diseases like CTE.

Dr. Barry D. Jordan is a neurologist who specializes in CTE. CTE is a brain disease where the brain gradually degenerates over time as a result of repeated head trauma. If anyone wants to familiarize themselves more with CTE, I recommend Will Smith’s latest flick “Concussion” (he should’ve got an Emmy).. or just read a book. Dr. Barry D. Jordan challenged the effectiveness of AIBA’s research study as its design was not clear on how they evaluated boxers who suffered a concussion. Furthermore, the study had yet to be published in a peer review journal, which is common practice.

Few things.. Firstly, Dr. Julian Bales’ theory that fighters could “perhaps” be prone to leaning their head in if wearing headgear, is completely false. I’m not a doctor, but that is not his medical observation, it is just another man’s opinion, with no scientific proof to back up that claim. In this case, he is another man who is speaking like someone who has never stepped in the ring and has no clue what a boxer is thinking when in that ring. No boxer has an alarm in their head that signals them to make their head an inviting target, with a sign saying “HIT ME”, simply because of headgear. His lack of empathy for a boxer who could get eliminated from an Olympic tournament due to a severe cut is maddening. He is of the belief that the boxer knew what he was signing up for and that is part of the risk in taking up amateur boxing. Correction.. That is part of the risk a boxer knowingly takes when he enters the PRO ranks. Look at this way folks, the best fighter in his division could get eliminated before the finals due to suffering a headbutt, resulting in a cut too severe, preventing him from advancing in the tournament. So now it no longer comes down to the best boxer taking home the gold medal. It comes down to the boxer with the toughest skin. Not to mention, amateurs aspiring to be pros could be entering the pro ranks with scar tissue already developed, which could lead to a much shorter career.

Dr. Bales, along with his colleagues at AIBA brass, removed a safety element out of the amateur game, only 3 months away from the Olympics. An event these boxers have been training years for, and have earned the right to experience. How thorough could this research study have been with such a short period of time to conduct it? Do you think it’s a coincidence this doctor is endorsing the idea of no headgear and also happens to be in a well paid position as Special Advisor to AIBA? Nah..no vested interest there!

If AIBA’s research study was predicated on stats of concussion rates decreasing due to removing headgear, there are plenty of variables that weigh into that. Referees are much stricter in the amateur ranks in preventing boxers from receiving punishment, and even moreso now that headgear is being removed for senior Males. To an extent, a boxer is more aware defensively and will be more proactive in avoiding punches, when not wearing headgear. Therefore, potentially receiving less punches due to a different mindset, not because no headgear makes the athlete safer from damage. Why would an athlete be more defensively responsible without headgear? Because the punches hurt more! Believe me when I say, concussion rates will not drop because receiving punches is LESS damaging without headgear. Bear in mind, though a boxer may take less risks to avoid getting hit because of no headgear, the flip side is that the risk of being knocked out is much higher when they do get hit, because they aren’t wearing headgear. Yin and Yang folks.

AIBA is blurring the line between amateur and pro and they’re playing a dangerous game. There’s pros and cons to wearing headgear or not wearing headgear. The “false sense of security” theory quickly dissolves among most seasoned amateur boxers as they find out a punch hurts no matter what. The only ones who rely on that theory, to justify their opinion of removing headgear, are people who haven’t boxed. The truth is, although your vision is clearer without headgear, the headgear cushions the impact of a punch somewhat, making it less damaging. Also, an amateur glove is more padded then a pro glove and designed differently, making the punches less damaging.

Dr. Bales also mentions the idea of removing headgear is to make the sport “safer and more enjoyable”. Do you see the contradiction folks? Let’s be real, since when does safer mean more enjoyable? Why would amateur boxing be more enjoyable without headgear? Because there will be more blood? More vital areas being exposed to get hit, which could produce more knockouts? Which could produce better tv ratings because let’s face it, boxing fans love a good knockout! Run that by me again how it’s safer?

The reality is amateur boxing has been a struggling sport for some time and the IOC has considered removing the sport from the Olympics. The timing could not have been any better to implement the no headgear policy. It is only to boost the entertainment value of the sport, nothing more. It’s rumored that come 2018, the no headgear rule will become effective for not only senior Males, but Women and Youth as well. God help us. This writer sides with the medical opinion of Dr. Barry D. Jordan who cites the risk of CTE, due to the repeated sub-concussive blows to an unprotected head. That has not been addressed in AIBA’s study, and, quite frankly, all points considered, I think we know why.

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