Boxing is one of the world’s popular sports entertaining people of all ages. In its most recent years, it has come under many criticisms. This is because of the various effects boxing can cause. It can cause: brain damage, Parkinson's, Alzheimer's and other syndromes. Here are a few statistics; 15 - 20% of boxers ending a professional career develop the 'punch-drunk syndrome'. This syndrome consists of intellectual deterioration, loss of memory, slurred speech and difficulty in walking. Boxing can also effect the time of death as for a professional boxer death occurs somewhat 10 to 15 years earlier than average. This is more than enough to give boxing a bad name. When the head is knocked sideways, the brain swirls in the skull, its layers shearing and sliding off one another, tearing vital nerve fibres. This is how the effects of boxing can be caused and this is what the people that are against boxing distinguish as a brutal damage to human beings. Yet, it is up to the boxers themselves to choose whether or not to go into the fight. Despite all the consequences of this sport, it is still hugely popular which makes it almost impossible to ban. Currently, there are more than 3,000 registered boxers under the age of 16 among the 600 clubs affiliated to the ABA (Amateur Boxing Association). This explains the reason why it is crucial to keep the sport alive. ‘The best thing for the boxing authorities to do is to make boxing as safe as possible’ is the claim of a person wanting boxing to be banned but realises the effects banning boxing can cause.
