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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Pro Boxing May Require Brain Scans

Associated Press

Brain scans costing thousands of dollars could soon become the norm worldwide in professional boxing if the sport’s medical experts have their way.

Doctors at boxing’s first medical congress, held at Oranjestad, Aruba, issued a list of medical musts last week, ranging from bans on spectator smoking and 60-day fighting bans for boxers who are knocked out to mandatory yearly brain scans for professional boxers.

One African orthopedic surgeon said the costs involved made many suggestions “a mission impossible.”

But WBC president Jose Sulaiman warned that if the sport cannot be made “safe or safer, then there should not be boxing.”

“We have to assume that boxing will continue as always, legal or not,” said Peter Richards, a British neurosurgeon, who is waging a British Medical Association campaign to ban boxing. “So we need to set a standard and (ensure) good medical care for the poorest boxer, not only the richest.”

But at whose cost?

One recommendation would require boxing promoters to help fund research into boxing injuries. But the doctors from 83 countries attending the WBC-sponsored conference did not specify who would pay for other tests, such as mandatory brain scans, which cost between $250 and $3,000.

Magnetic resonance imaging tests, considered the most accurate means of detecting brain damage in boxers, are unavailable in any but the wealthiest countries. Doctors from Africa said most fighters on that continent cannot even afford AIDS tests costing $20 - about what they earn for an average professional fight.

Other guidelines, such as barring boxers under age 18 and over 35, could also be hard to enforce in the sport, which has no overall governing organization. The WBC is one of four major world regulating bodies for pro boxing.

Bowe, sister settle differences

Former heavyweight champion Riddick Bowe and his sister reconciled Monday after a weekend spat in which both reportedly suffered split lips.

Bowe, who retired from boxing last week, and his sister, Velma Melton, said in a statement that they “remain loving and supportive of each other.”

Bowe, 29, and Melton, whose age was not available, each suffered a split lip in the fight, WUSA-TV reported, citing unidentified sources.

Police were investigating a reported assault in Fort Washington, the Maryland suburb where Bowe lives, but would not confirm that it involved the former boxer.

“We don’t anticipate any charges being filed,” said Prince George’s County police spokesman Cpl. Mike Montgomery.

Tyson receives medical clearance

The Mike Tyson-Evander Holyfield fight is back on track.

Tyson’s doctor has given the heavyweight fighter full clearance to resume contact training in preparation for his June 28 rematch against Holyfield.

The rematch originally was scheduled for May 3, but was postponed when Tyson reopened a cut over his left eye originally sustained in his upset loss to Holyfield.