Should Indonesia ban pro boxing?

Should Indonesia ban pro boxing?

JAKARTA (JP): The popularity of boxing in the country has
catapulted over the last three years, ever since private TV
stations began broadcasting weekly matches.

Boxing has since become a favorite of sports fans.

However, the death of professional boxer Muhammad Alfaridzhi
early last week has forced people to reconsider the significance
of professional boxing.

Many have urged the Indonesian Boxing Commission (KTI) and
private TV stations to stop staging boxing matches after Alfa's
tragic death, but others claim it is just a matter of the
regulations needing improvement. To stop screening matches would
be a giant setback for boxing development in the country.

The Jakarta Post reporters tried to capture the public's
perspective in this case and asked for suggestions of how to
avoid a similar tragedy.

Association of Indonesian Muslim Intellectuals (ICMI) chairman
Adi Sasono:

Exhibiting people in a potentially fatal contest, where they
could lose their lives, must be stopped since it is inhumane.

The Indonesian Boxing Commission (KTI) must reconsider staging
this savage sport. I don't think it's right, even for spectators,
to see people fight each other.

We have various ways to entertain ourselves, but watching
boxing ... I'm not so sure.

Anwas, a retired civil servant:

I think professional boxing must be stopped here because the
organizers, promoters, managers and doctors are very
unprofessional.

The boxers can only follow what they say. I think a boxer's
doctor plays the biggest role here. He must observe the boxer
thoroughly before a fight, not only judge by his appearance.

Anshor Youth Movement chairman Saifullah Yusuf:

I am a big fan of professional boxing, because it shows
sportsmanship and art at the same time. But considering the risks
involved, I think we need stricter regulations on it.

I suggest KTI shorten the rounds. And all boxers should
undergo a thorough medical examination before a fight and a
checkup after every round.

A referee should concentrate on the boxer's safety. If he
looks weak then the referee should stop the match, even if it
appears that he can go another round and somehow win the match.

It's a good sport, but people shouldn't die because of it.

Insurance employee Rony Budianto:

I saw the match and I think the one to be blamed is
Alfaridzhi's coach. He should have thrown in the towel and
stopped the match. Maybe then the boxer would still be alive.

But I personally don't agree to the banning of professional
boxing in the country. We can't ban a certain sport here. What
matters is that KTI must improve itself and be consistent with
its regulations.

ICMI deputy chairman Jimmly Assidiqie:

Someone's mortality has nothing to do with what kind of sport
he is deeply involved in.

Besides boxing, many sports also involve full body contact,
including Indonesian traditional martial arts pencak silat,
karate and even wrestling.

We cannot generalize about boxing just because of Alfaridzhi's
death.

But I suggest KTI provide more body protection for boxers as
an effort to avoid unexpected things, such as a fatal injury, or
anything else that might cause death.

We also have to introduce stern regulations in these sports,
regulations to which athletes, referees and the organizing
committee are bound. Violation of the regulations must incur
stern sanctions.

But I don't think boxing matches must be stopped due to the
accident.

Housewife Avianti Sugiyanto:

I've never liked boxing ... I think it's a very brutal sport.
I always quarrel with my husband about boxing.

As for Alfaridzhi's case, I hope that in future the government
will ban TV stations from broadcasting boxing matches. I don't
see anything good in this sport.

Golkar Party faction chairman at the House of Representatives
Syamsul Muarif:

Actually, I do not consider boxing a sport because sport
should make people healthy, not make them get all beaten up or do
something that is against the law such as punching other people.
Maybe it would be better to stop boxing here.

It would be difficult for the government to ban professional
boxing. There is more urgency for rigid regulations on boxing to
ensure that such a tragedy does not happen again.

The House should set standards and regulations on health
issues in sport, for example the need to have doctors
recommendations and a rule on what kind of health condition is
necessary for certain sports.

As for Alfaridzhi, there should be a thorough investigation
into his death, and those involved in the match must be taken
into account due to his death.

Sports should make people healthy, not dead.

Taxi driver Rahmat:

I disagree to professional boxing being banned ... what would
happen to the boxers? It's more important that the promoter,
manager and coach prioritize a boxer's safety in the ring ...
don't only chase after the money. But I think in Indonesia,
boxers are still afraid of their managers.

However, I sometimes see that boxers are unrealistic. They
should know if they are one level below their opponents. (If they
are losing,) they must stop the match ... otherwise, they it's a
risk they take.

Martabak vendor Yayat:

It would be too bad if professional boxing had to be stopped
because there is a lot of good talent here. The organizers only
have to improve their professionalism and change match schedules.
The shouldn't stage matches close to midnight. (02/dja/nvn/yan)