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Why do some professional boxers oppose wearing protective headgear?
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boxing
Manny Pacquiao (right) and Floyd Mayweather, Jr., in their 2015 welterweight bout; Mayweather won in a unanimous decision.
Professional boxers generally oppose the use of protective headgear, arguing that it may actually increase the danger of the sport rather than mitigate it. Their primary objections include:
- Reduced Vigilance: Boxers argue that wearing headgear can lead to a false sense of security, causing them to be less diligent about guarding their heads against incoming blows.1
- Increased Target Area: Some observers believe that headgear enlarges the hitting surface of the head, making it an easier target for opponents.1
- Ineffectiveness Against Brain Injury: While headgear is effective at preventing facial cuts, there is concern that it does not reduce the overall damage of blows and may even increase the risk of brain injury.1
While proponents of safety have suggested adopting the headgear used in amateur boxing, professional prizefighters maintain that it does not make the impact of punches less damaging.1