The British and Irish Boxing Authority (BIBA) has taken the decision to introduce a portable technology device which can detect signs of head traumas in boxers.
The Infrascanner Model 2000 will be used during BIBA events on boxers both before and after fights and works by being against the left, right and front sides of the head, sending infrared light up to 3.5 cm deep from the skin. If this light detects blood, which is a sign of head trauma, then less of this light is sent back to the device, indicating a problem which will need further assessment. The first event for use of the device is scheduled for March 11th in Paisley, Scotland.
However, the British Boxing Board of Control (BBBofC), which sanctions the vast majority of professional boxing matches in the UK, told BBC Sport that it did “not recognise” BIBA and would continue on with its own safety initiatives. The BBBCofC is yet to introduce the Infrascanner and is monitoring a trial of the product with London’s Air Ambulance service.
BIBA has initially ordered two Infrascanners at a cost of between $12,000-$15,000 per unit, according to BBC Sport. BIBA is aiming for 1o units over the coming 12 months, with the overall aim that by 2018 every BIBA ringside doctor will have a device. BIBA has also offered the use of the scanners to fighters who compete under the BBBofC.
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The decision follows on from a number of high-profile incidents in British boxing rings in the past year or so. Both Nick Blackwell, an English fighter and German boxer Eduard Gutknecht fell into comas following fights. While Blackwell pulled through, Gutknecht reportedly still remains in a coma. Most tragically of all, Scottish fighter Mike Towell lost his life last October following a grueling fight. All three fighters had suffered bleeding to their brains in their respective fights.
“Following two major head injury incidents last year, one that resulted in the death of Mike Towell, even though neither were on events sanctioned by ourselves, the BIBA board had decided to actively seek solutions regarding improving the way that injuries such as these can be detected as quickly as possible” BIBA Vice President Gianluca Di Caro said in a statement.
“We are extremely proud to be the first to introduce Infra-Scanners at events in the United Kingdom and Ireland, as we wholeheartedly believe having them ringside will significantly prevent further tragedies within our sport.”
Responding to the BBBofC comments too, in a further statement, Di Caro said: “IT IS THEIR RESPONSIBILITY TO PROVIDE THE BEST HEALTH & SAFETY FOR THEIR LICENSED BOXERS. Even though the BBBofC have acted so pathetically, our offer is there for all boxers, regardless if amateur or professional or who licenses them, if you have suffered headaches or nausea after sparring or a fight and one of our units is within a reasonable distance we will assist and scan if requested.”
“Our aim is to have 10. I will raise the sponsorship to do that,” concluded Di Caro. One of the Infrascanners secured by BIBA has already been supplied by a donor, Sophie Anastasia Zammit Castan.
Following the announcement of BIBA’s decision, Mike Towell’s partner, Chloe Ross said on Facebook: “I’m glad to be finally seeing something good coming from what happened to Michael. It shouldn’t take someone’s life for these things to be used but if it saves someone else’s life then that can only be a good thing.”
Ross and Tracey Towell, the mother of Mike, have also begun a fundraising campaign to raise £13,000 to purchase an Infrascanner in his memory. Ross wrote Tuesday on Facebook in just over a week including offline donations, almost £3,000 had been raised.
“These scanners are expensive but we hope to raise enough no matter how long it takes!” Ross wrote. “We want to name this the Iron Mike Towell scanner…”