Rigid compliance with boxing codes urged

JAKARTA (JP): The number of deaths in boxing has sounded alarm bells, with people in the Indonesian boxing industry needing to give a greater commitment to safety, according to a discussion here on Friday.

Since 1948, as many as 16 boxers have died in the aftermath of their bouts in the ring and, to the horror of the national boxing industry, four of them have perished within the last ten months. The latest victim was Moh. Alfaridzi, Martinez dos Santos told the forum held by the Indonesian Sports Journalists Organization (SIWO).

Alfaridzi, a former amateur boxer, died from a blood clot in his brain following three knock-downs in a fight against Khongtawat Ora of Thailand on April 3 this year. The Bandung native had conceded two KO defeats within a few months before the fatal fight.

"The high number of deaths indicates a shortfall on the part of event organizers, which includes promoters, managers, ring attendants and even trainers, in addressing the boxers' safety," Martinez said.

The Indonesian Professional Boxing Commission (KTI), through its disciplinary panel, is also deemed to be inconsistent in asserting itself as a supervising and controlling body, he added.

Concerns about boxers' safety have grown now that pro-boxing contests have become more popular on television.

The issues were raised as a warning for KTI, which will convene in Semarang, Central Java, from Aug. 29 to Sept. 1.

One of the conference's objectives is to elect the commission's new chairman.

SIWO, which is invited to the congress, will propose the discussion results for consideration at the conference. Another item in the proposal includes a number of criteria relating to the chairmanship. (01)