Boxing promoter Frank Warren has said calls to ban boxing in the wake of Mike Towell’s death are misplaced.
Instead, he said the onus should be on boxers to be “open” about any medical problems they may be suffering in the run-up to a fight.
It was revealed shortly after his death that 25-year-old Dundee fighter Mike Towell had been suffering from headaches in the lead-up to his fight on Thursday.
Writing for Boxing Scene, Warren stated: “Hard through it is for fighting men to save a bout for another day, it is at times like this that you have to rely on a boxer to be open about their condition before stepping into a ring.
“A fight can always be rescheduled and all boxers must remember this.”
There have been fresh calls to ban boxing in the wake of Towell’s death.
However, Mr Warren pointed out he was only the second British fatality in the sport in over 20 years.
He added: “In this modern age of hybrid combat sports, boxing is almost certainly the safest.
“These guys want to fight, it is how they choose to make their living and that is why we need all the stringent medical regulations and safeguards that have long been in place.
“No doubt the abolitionists will again be out in full cry but, unfortunately, as in almost any sport, you cannot completely eliminate risk and tragedies do occasionally occur.”
However, critics say boxing must do more to minimise the risks of competing.
John Flaherty from Stirling, whose son Daniel survived the same brain bleeding that killed Mike Towell, said he is “not surprised” another boxer had been killed.
He said: “They say these things don’t happen very often but I just want to let anybody about to get in the ring know that they do happen.
“There has not been a proper debate about things like head-guards and gloves and ways to make the sport safer.”
