To: David Evennett. Acting Sprots Minister - Tracey Crouch Sports Minster.

Ban Face and Head Punching in Junior Boxing.

Ban face and head punching in Junior Boxing

Why is this important?

After the recent boxing match between Chris Eubank Jr. and Nick Blackwell which resulted in Nick Blackwell's injury and induced coma I feel it is now time to look at consequences of this "Sport" but mainly in the involvement of junior boxing.
My grandson age 8 attends a local boxing club which I am totally against but he and his parents do not feel the same way. They feel it gives him confidence and teaches the children discipline, I am aware the training is beneficial to them in certain ways but I also know first hand how the boys and girls can easily get hurt.
On the one occasion I took my Grandson to the club I was only there for an hour and in that time two children received badly bloody noses, one child was crying in pain from a punch to the face and my Grandson was also nearly in tears from a hit to the face which resulted in a very bad bruise the next day.
Although the children do wear head helmets and mouth guards these do not stop the punches to the face and head.
The children are still growing and developing and I feel the damage they can receive to the face and head (even with helmets worn) could result in serious injuries and health problems.
I do realize anyone can get injured in any sport but in other sports it is usually accidental injuries that occur, and it is not accidental in boxing..
Would you please make it compulsory that all junior boxing clubs have set rules whereby NO PUNCHES ARE ALLOWED TO BE AIMED AT THE FACE AND HEAD, whether it be whilst training or in a match.
Many thanks,
Elaine Brown

I fear a child could be badly injured.