Perth Voice Interactive

PERTH doctors say young office workers who participate in a White Collar Boxing match at the WA Italian Club “have a problem and should seek help”.

“The only aim of the game is to punch another person in the head and body, the ultimate goal being to bash them unconscious with your fists,” says Australian Medical Association WA vice-president Andrew Miller. “In a society where we already struggle with violence it cannot be tolerated.”

“We should have moved on already from bull-fighting, bear-baiting, gladiators in the arena, and boxing.

Barbaric

“The AMA WA views boxing as a barbaric and ridiculous activity that has no place in modern society.”

Doctors feel so strongly about the August 15 amateur bout they are demanding the juvenile diabetes research foundation refuse funds.

“WCB appears to be using the foundation’s positive brand to gain some sort of respectability,” Dr Miller says. “The foundation should refuse to accept these funds. I think it is likely that Parkinsons WA or the Brain Injury Association of WA would be unimpressed with boxing being associated with the medical research community.”

He says people keen on raising funds for charity can participate in “plenty of legitimate sports”.

“Intelligent community-minded people could easily choose something less stupid to do,” he says. “If your ego is driving you to fight somebody rather than challenge them to a triathlon or table tennis match then you have a problem and should seek help.”

White Collar Boxing event organiser Donna Martin has hosted three bouts in Perth so far. She says the fights are fully regulated and tickets are selling well for the Italian Club event.

“Participants have a medical before they start training, a blood test before they start sparring and another medical at the weigh-in,” she says.

“We try to do everything in-house and match boxers up with those of equal ability.

“Everything is done to the same standard as a professional bout and a doctor is always ringside. I have heard of some unregulated fights going on, but all ours are regulated by the CSC who attend the event.”

Ms Martin adds one of the participating amateur boxers is a doctor.

by STEPHEN POLLOCK