Dr. Joe McKeever:

Provision is made for minimal suspension periods after knockouts. If a boxer suffers a knockout with as a result of blows to the head or if the bout is stopped by the referee because the boxer has received heavy blows to the head, then the boxer may not take part in boxing or sparring for a period of at least 30 days afterward. If there is a loss of consciousness for less than one minute, the boxer may not take part in boxing or sparring for a period of at least 90 days afterward. If there is a loss of consciousness for than one minute, the boxer may not take part in boxing or sparring for a period of at least 180 days afterward. If, during a period of 90 days after a boxer's suspension for knockout, the boxer is knocked out a second time or if the referee stops a contest as a result of the number of heavy blows received to the head, then the boxer may not take part in boxing or sparring for a period of 90 days after the second occurrence. If the first suspension was 90 days, the repeat suspension will be 180 days. If the first suspension was 180 days, the new suspension will be 365 days.

Every year, each boxer who is set to represent Ireland in international competition must take an annual medical screening. All details of these screenings are recorded in the AIBA medical and competition record book for boxers. These medical booklets or passports contain the history of all individual bouts undertaken by boxers at international level and a history of all previous medical checks. Three months prior to every major international competition - the European and world championships and the Olympics - each boxer must undergo a medical by the IABA-registered doctor. Boxers are also fully medically examined at the weigh-in at international competitions and are passed to compete at competition. Before a boxer enters the ring for each competitive bout, a doctor will examine and make a decision on whether the boxer is medically fit to take part in the bout. As he or she leaves the ring, the medical doctor will always check the fighter again at ringside before he or she returns to the dressing room.

The IABA is of the view that all sporting organisations should report to a specific centre for concussion and be kept updated by same on advances in respect of detection or on regulatory matters regarding concussion in sport. The primary objective in the IABA's medical rules is to reduce the risk of severe injury and limit the long-term effects of repeated brain injury. The organisation has an excellent track record with regard to the control of boxers access to competitions as their medical record books must record all prior fight results. As members will appreciated, there is a need to ensure that a physician be available to oversee all national and international boxing championships. The IABA has adopted the AIBA rulings with regard to boxer exclusion following a concussion superseding its own measures that were in place since the 1970s. However, the need for a suspended boxer to have a MRI scan gives rise to a financial cost which may be difficult for all boxers to meet. We hope to be able to secure public funding to cover this increased financial burden.

Vigilance is the watch word of the IABA in regard to signs of serious head injury of any boxer in competition. The rules I have set out not only preclude participation in boxing competitions, they also exclude a boxer from sparring while training at his or her club or with his or her squad.

These rules, introduced in the mid-1970s, have proved to be far-sighted and ahead of their time. This is evidenced by the fact that no AIBA boxer has suffered a severe head or brain injury in the last 40 years. Finally the medical examination now required to be undertaken before a suspended boxer is allowed to compete has been upgraded by IABA to take into account advances in medical imaging. As set out in the AIBA rule, an MRI or CT scan is required before a boxer is re-licensed following suspension. The IABA remains open to any suggestions that may improve the health and safety of its boxers as a result of medical research and studies carried out across a range of other contact sports.