Fair or Foul ?
FOR some time Dr. Edith Summerskill has been campaigning 101 the abolition of boxing; she has spoken in the House of Commons' sat on committees and written articles for the suppression of 0111 sport. Now she has produced a book on the subject. Having been a professional boxer for more than twenty years, and having had plenty of time since I gave it Op to reflect on the subject, it is natural that I should read her book with more than ordina0 interest. I do not agree with every word of it, but I must conks' she has put up a very convincing argument.
Her complaint that youngsters are encouraged to fight for iliL
sheer pecuniary gain of managers and promoters is all too true: I have always deplored the fact that the majority of our boxer' are quite prepared to sacrifice skill for spectacle, being encouraged, by large purses to provide thrills at the expense of any physics' harm they may inflict or incur. I do not agree, however, that boxing should be banned from the school curriculum, that teach' ing boys to box is fundamentally wrong because it panders t°, our primitive instincts. Boys, in my opinion, should be encourage' to stand up and defend themselves against bullying and aggression' The fighting spirit is surely a fine one for a nation.
What I should like to see is more control over the welfare of
both amateur and professional boxers. The Amateur Boxing Association should see that boys do not continue when they are past their best; that no amateur who is inexperienced, or whose prowess is on the wane, should be permitted to turn professioate' The British Boxing Board of Control should not issue licences 111 all those who come along with a pound in their hands. I Knorr there is supposed to be a medical check-up when a boxer has 3 losing run, but no doctor can peer into a brain and decide if 1t man has taken more punishment than is good for him. Referee' should be instructed to stop contests as soon as a man is incapable of defending himself. A clean knockout is less harmful than a continued pounding, even if it lasts only thirty seconds. Too man` boxers are bludgeoned to the canvas and too many are permitted to get up and continue when still dazed. But the real trouble lies in the fact that too few are taught the basic principles of boxing. All that Dr. Summerskill says about the injuries the brain can receive as a result of repeatedl,Y' taking head punishment is very true. What she doesn't know 15 that a deft movement with the head, the intervention of a glei or a well-timed parry, can rob any blow of harmful force. 0" you have to know the moves.
LEN Hag"-
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