Boxing has long been regarded as a violent sport and for good reason. People are trying to beat other people by delivering crushing blows to each other's head and body. What many people fail to realize, though, is the skill and conditioning of the athletes who are trying to win the fight. When they are in that ring, boxing is their job and if they are any good at their job, they know how to fight. They have a certain level of skill and conditioning that will save them from most injuries. However, injuries still occur.
Amateur boxing is significantly safer than professional boxing mainly because of the stringent rules in place. Amateur boxers are required to wear headgear and fight three two-minute rounds as opposed to 12-three-minute rounds. For a well conditioned athlete, fatigue is taken completely out of the equation and the amateur bout is based on skill. A professional bout requires an unbelievable amount of stamina. Most injuries that professional boxers do incur occur in the later rounds because of the fatigue factor. Rocky Marciano always used his incredible stamina and perserverance to his advantage. He could outlast anyone in the ring and when the other fighter is tired, he would still be strong and could deliver crushing blows.
Headgear and mouthguards are another factor which keeps amateurs from receiving injury. The goal of an amateur fight is not so much to knockout or hurt your opponent as it is to score a point. A light punch to the head holds the same weight on the score card as a hard punch. (and a light punch takes a lot less energy to throw...) I would be completely out of it if stated that amateur boxers are not going to try and knockout their opponents. It is boxing after all and there is a sense of superiority about standing over someone lying on the mat.Â
Professional boxing places a lot more emphasis on the knockout than in the amateurs. It is part of their boxing record and gets them more fights and esteem. They are viewed as more powerful and the prize is greater. It allows them to command more money per fight and is a piece of their wellbeing.
All of that said, boxers professional or amateur experience injury. The pages which follow will detail the types of injuries boxers sustain the most and how to treat, recognize and prevent them.
Note: This writing was inspired after a hard day at the gym - a bruised eye and a very sore jaw... Enjoy.
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