AAIB Statement in response to Announcement by AIBA regarding Headgears in Amateur Bouts
/EINPresswire.com/ (Mount Vernon, New York…March 26th 2013)—Stephen B. Acunto, Chairman and Co-founder, and Paul Vegliante, President, American Association for the Improvement of Boxing, Inc. advocates for better boxing safety standards since 1967, today praised a move by the International Amateur Boxing Association (AIBA) to withdraw the use of headgears in amateur matches. The AAIB leaders urged the International Olympic Committee to follow suit.
The AIBA announcement is aimed at reducing concussions and head trauma, reasoning that boxers would not use their heads as weapons or allow themselves to be hit as readily if headgears are removed. Additionally, visual impairment that results from headgear use would be eliminated by the banning of headgears. The AIBA cites fresh data from a University of Ottawa study to support its move.
According to the Association’s President, Mr. Vegliante, the AAIB, together with many professional and amateur boxing authorities have long recognized the hazards potential in the use of headgears: “It is our belief that evenly matched athletes under excellent ring supervision, with careful medical examinations administered and top safety standards strictly observed make the risk of using headgears an unnecessary addition to the competition. We praise the action by the AIBA and urge the Olympic Committee to follow suit.”
For further information contact the AAIB at 914 664 4571.
The AIBA announcement is aimed at reducing concussions and head trauma, reasoning that boxers would not use their heads as weapons or allow themselves to be hit as readily if headgears are removed. Additionally, visual impairment that results from headgear use would be eliminated by the banning of headgears. The AIBA cites fresh data from a University of Ottawa study to support its move.
According to the Association’s President, Mr. Vegliante, the AAIB, together with many professional and amateur boxing authorities have long recognized the hazards potential in the use of headgears: “It is our belief that evenly matched athletes under excellent ring supervision, with careful medical examinations administered and top safety standards strictly observed make the risk of using headgears an unnecessary addition to the competition. We praise the action by the AIBA and urge the Olympic Committee to follow suit.”
For further information contact the AAIB at 914 664 4571.