number1contender.net

The knockout punch is not the most dangerous punch in boxing. In the majority of the cases where guys are killed or knocked into a coma they are never knocked out. That is the problem. A knockout ends the match, ending the damage. The problem is the accumulation of punches, whichcontinues to swell the brain. Actually, punches on the ground are much safer then punches standing. The true power from a punch comes from strikers getting their legs and body behind the punch for extra force. That is not possible on the ground. The biggest danger of a punch on the ground is when someone's head gets hit by the punch and rebounds off the mat quickly. That jars the brain and adds to the concussive power of the blow. That is why boxing mats are padded these days, to cushion the falling boxers.

It is really scary when someone gets knocked out cold, however that is not usually when people die. The deaths usually occur when someone just collapses. They will either be in their dressing room or on their stool or taking some punches. They will not take that "knockout punch". They will simply collapse and go to sleep. I have never had to see anyone die. I have seen a few guys knocked into a coma. The first event I wrote up for Dave had someone knocked into a coma. You watch boxing enough and you learn what is and is not dangerous real fast. That is why the deaths happen. If the guys were knocked down the matches would be stopped. Usually, the guys are never knocked down before they collapse. They take a lot of blows, but are responding okay and will be walking and responding fine until they collapse. That is part of what makes MMA safe is those brutal knockouts. The more quick knockouts the better. No one will die from those, unless something is wrong with them, already. Long term I have no idea what sort of damage a lot of those will do. However, those 1 strike knockouts that leave someone lying for 10 minutes will not result in anyone dying. Take this as little comfort. Those situations are very scary, but no healthy person will die that way. Assuming you are in a state with a good commission there is nothing to fear. Outside of California and Nevada things get a little nerve racking in MMA. New Jersey used to be good, but the new commissioner is not as careful with fighter safety from what I have seen.

Thanks,

Jereme Warneck

number1contender.net

Boxing and Video Game Correspondent for f4wonline.com

Hidden Valley Lake, CA I can be reached for feedback and comments at ZurRoadie@aol.com or as JeremeW on XBOX Live. I read everything.