“Both Boxers Were Younger Than 8”: Kids Boxing Without Headgear in a Club Match Draws Mixed Reactions From Fans

Gervonta Davis was 5 when he started training at the uptown boxing center of Baltimore. Ryan Garcia was 7 when he began training. Shakur Stevenson was 5. The most promising fighters of this era began training for their entry into the boxing world at a very young age. While the minimum age for entry into amateurs remains 12, most fighters start preparing for it as early as 5. However, with the necessary guidelines in place.

A new conversation is taking place in the boxing community that seeks to address the use of necessary safety gear while engaging in a boxing fight. A recent fight covered on a Discord channel showed two young fighters in the age bracket of 7-8 years boxing each other without wearing headgear. The lack of safety equipment has triggered a section of the boxing community, while the others find no qualms about it.

Young fighters brawl without headgear

When our favorite fighters enter the ring for their pro fights, we do not see them wear their headgear. For nascent-level fighters, like those in their amateur stages and even those who are still training in their gyms, governing bodies have mandated the use of headgear to protect the young fighters from life-affecting head traumas.

Hence, when visuals such as those of young boxers fighting without any headgear surface, a question arises about their safety.

Should headgear be used by child boxers? Boxing fans debate

The visuals of these child boxers sparked a debate that argued whether it was okay for them to fight without donning appropriate safety gear. While one section of the boxing community sided with the use of headgear to ensure that the kids don’t endure life-altering head trauma, the other section approved of their fighting without safety gear. They cited that the fighters need to prepare themselves for their professional career where headgear is not used.

One user dived right in and suggested that the omission of headgear is a direct invitation for chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE). CTE was massively reported in boxers in 1928 wherein they showed severe psychological and cognitive disorders due to the heavy blows their heads suffered.

Another user showed some tough love. They had no issues with kids’ fights without headgear. They suggested that it would prepare them for Olympic-level tournaments.

A user cited the common sentiment amongst many who argue against headgear.

A user came in with some clarification regarding the age of the young fighters. While most thought they were eight, they were younger than that.

Another fan came in with a hope that the entire boxing realm collectively has toward such young fighters: to see them take the standards of boxing to the next level.

The debate around the use of headgear continues. In discourses like these, we find the nature of the boxing community that keeps its vision focused on ethical and safe fighting practices. Such discussions ensure that there is a safe space to discuss the best interests of fighters, and have rules in place for better accountability.

Also Read: “Going to Be Face of Boxing “: Fans Hype Up Curmel Moton as He Trains in Recent Post Ahead of Potential December Fight

Do you think young fighters need to wear headgear? Let us know in the comments section below.

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