Another deadly knock-out

Patrick Day, super welter-weight boxer was knocked out in a fight 4 days ago by Charles Conwell in the 10th and last round of their fight. He got two direct hits, one the temple and one on the chin and then fell straight back over with the back of his head on the canvas. He was still moving after the hit, but his eyes turned to the back of his head. It was immediately clear he sustained injury. So he was carried of the field.
Now he died, four days later in the hospital. Apparently the punches caused a severe brain injury that was irreversable.

Image source: hln.be

Thoughts of quitting

Charles Conwell reacted a few days ago to the news that Day was put in an artificial coma after the brain damage was diagnosed. He was thinking of quitting boxing, and felt extremely guilty about what happened to Patrick Day. Eventually he said he would keep boxing, as Patrick Day would have wanted that too. And he is probably right about that.

Image source: Yahoo Sport UK

Is boxing barbaric, or can it be made safer?

First off all, I don't think boxing is barbaric, put lots of people think that way. For me it is one of the hardest sports, physically and mentally. Technique, physique, tactics, it all has to be combined with eachother to be a good boxer. I don't associate these attributes to barbarians. But can it be made safer?
Unless punches against the head would be prohibited, I don't see a way of making the sport safer. Even the helmets that are used with amateur boxers are now seen as inappropriate because the false sense of security they give. They are even disallowed now at the Olympics, because of the fact that some injuries are not spotted fast enough because of the helmets.

Image source: The Independent

Boxing will have to stay this way, but it will take casualties every year, sadly. I would never box, unless a practice or something, but I understand how fanatic boxers are willing to take that risk. That is just the same with cyclists, Formula 1 or Moto GP riders. Death is always around the corner. That's just part of the job...

Sincerely,

Pele23