A Doctor’s Opinion on the Continuing Popularity of Boxing and Head Injuries

I have always been saddened by the spectacle of boxing. On the one hand, it’s undeniably exciting—my heart races when the two villains enter the ring, each punch electrifying and keeping the fans engaged. But on the other hand, I find myself worrying about the true toll these athletes pay, physically and mentally. It’s hard to ignore the brutality of a game that encourages taking out an enemy with a blow to the head.

According to the Al Jazeera report, boxing’s popularity skyrocketed in 2024, with “a staggering number of eyeballs, internet search queries and audience figures across all viewing platforms” cementing its status as one of the world’s most watched sports. Meanwhile, Dr. Ejaz Shamim, a neurosurgeon and chairman of the Mid-Atlantic Kaiser Permanente Research Institute, paints a very different picture of what boxing does to the human brain. “Compared to other contact sports, boxing is known for having high levels of collisions,” said Dr. Shamim Al Jazeera. “A concussion occurs when the brain pushes back and forth hitting the inside of the skull. This causes brain damage and occurs every time a boxer is hit in the head. Each concussive event is similar to a traumatic brain injury (TBI). With every TBI, there is irreversible brain damage.“

He added that “it is assumed that in boxing, a person receives a concussion approximately every 12.5 minutes of one-on-one fighting time. A protective helmet doesn’t help much with collisions. Internal trauma to the brain occurs every time a boxer is hit in the head, with or without head protection..” Hearing that makes me anxious, especially when I remember cheering during a fight when my opponent staggered away from a direct hit.

The hard numbers back him up. “According to the Manuel Velazquez Collection, which records boxing deaths, an estimated 13 boxers are killed in the ring every year.,” notes Al Jazeera. Separately, the Association of Ringside Physicians found at least 339 deaths in the sport from 1950 to 2007, “with a higher percentage in the lower weight classes.” It’s amazing to think that those fighters, many chasing dreams of fame or financial stability, may be putting their lives at risk each time they step between the ropes.

Still, boxing has its defenders. Sports journalist Philip O’Connor told Al Jazeera,”People may get into boxing to release anger and frustration, but they quickly learn that these things have little or no place in the training gym or ring..” He went on to say, “After watching boxing and various martial arts and training more than my fair share, I can say that in my opinion, the mental and physical benefits far outweigh the risks, but we should always strive to improve safety and eliminate or reduce the risk as much as possible..” This balance—between the morality and society boxing can bring and the actual damage boxers cause—is what keeps the debate alive.

Despite everything, the popularity of sports is hard to deny. “In terms of global media popularity, boxing in 2024 is the fifth most popular sport in the world and the most popular combat sport.”, Kamilla Swart-Arries, associate professor at Hamad Bin Khalifa University in Qatar, told. Al Jazeera. Know that “it has attracted celebrities who have also transcended their sports to become masters of world culture.” Indeed, icons like Mike Tyson continue to draw crowds even in the later stages of their careers, as if drawn to the limelight—and the fans follow.

Every time I watch a boxing match now, I can’t help but feel a pang of anxiety. While I admire the courage and skill of the fighters, I also wonder about the next day’s headaches, the accumulated hits, and the possibility of permanent damage. Boxing’s unique combination of art and violence has survived for centuries, and is unlikely to disappear anytime soon. But as the medical details grow clearer and the injury numbers mount, the future of the game may depend on whether we, as fans and governing bodies, decide that more stringent safety measures—and perhaps deeper cultural displays—must be explored. For the sake of the fighters’ lives, I really hope we do.