flying chest protectors

[Dee Hamaguchi]

In light of the article on WBAN describing Morales plight, here's my suggestion:

1) Buy a pair of turtle shells for $10
2) SEW them into your sports bra before you fight to avoid any embarassing moments.

Dee H

[fightfan]

Effective solutions for a good cost, da*n if big business could grasp this concept we could all retire early. I'm emabarrassed for Medal that tried to take advantage of Morales by not backing off for the adjustment. Who was the manufacturer of that equipment, obviously it's worthless, probably designed by some dude. Another great tip for young girls coming into the pro's ranks - protect yourself at all times, cause no one else will.

[marcel]

The cheapest solution is not wearing one at all. Stuff some napkins in there. Not a ref who wants to check on them. Marischa never ever used one.

[Rick Scharmberg]

marcel said:

The cheapest solution is not wearing one at all. Stuff some napkins in there. Not a ref who wants to check on them. Marischa never ever used one.

That is dangerous. I think you can get breast cancer from getting hit there with insufficient protection.

[marcel]

Negative. That has been whiped off the table many times now. There is no connection between punches on the breasts and breatscancer. Besides that it's not natural to punch on the chest.

[Dee Williams]

ricks said:

I think you can get breast cancer from getting hit there with insufficient protection.

I do not think there is any evidence for an increased risk of breast cancer to otherwise healthy boxers. Trauma to the breast can cause fat necrosis, in which part of the breast tissue dies and becomes a hard lump. This is non-cancerous but may cause distress of finding a lump and there is a possibility that it could conceal or complicate diagnosis of more serious conditions. There also no evidence that breast protection commonly worn by boxers in the US does more than keep boxing commisions happy. There are some studies that suggest breast trauma can increase the risk of breast cancer in women over 50, however.

Generally, not much evidence that protection is really important nor that commonly used protection is actually helpful.

[MizK]

marcel said:

The cheapest solution is not wearing one at all. Stuff some napkins in there. Not a ref who wants to check on them. Marischa never ever used one.

Sorry, I'm sure some of these women will stop wearing protection when men stop wearing their cups!

Seriously, these things need to be designed by a woman! A group of women boxers need to get together and design something that will be comfortable as well as secure.

Just my 2 cents....

[Dee Hamaguchi]

Geez, one would think people would refrain from acting like they are an authority on the necessity of breast protection unless 1) they are female and 2) they have boxed a couple rounds.

Just because one woman chooses not to wear them does not mean it is a wise choice.

And just because there is no evidence that getting hit in the breast will or will not cause cancer or other long term negative effects, here's a profound observation from someone who meets both the criteria listed above:

Getting hit in the breasts without protection HURTS!!! (And, yes, I am speaking from experience.)

Whether it is "natural" to get hit there is completely irrelevant! The point is, it is always possible.

And when you get hurt in a fight, you are distracted at least for a moment, which gives your opponent time and opportunity to really clock you. Not a good situation.

As far as women getting together to design some; I think the turtle shells were designed by a woman. You can buy a bra with pockets to insert the shells and there is no way they can fly out. But I didnt like the quality of the bra, so that's why I sew them into a bra I like. I don't think there is a need to come up with anything new.

What we should discuss is whether boxing commissions should require breast and/or groin protection for women. (And, yes, I think it should be the same in every state.)

I personally think both should be required.

Try not to respond to this unless you meet the 2 criteria I list above.
(And I promise to not respond to any threads on men's cup issues.)

Dee H

[marcel]

Calm down Dee. I didn't see anybody act like an authority in here.
Yes getting hit in the breast is always possible indeed. Getting poked in the eye too. So maybe boxers should wear a fyberglass shield on top of their lens. That's not an argument imho. And yes, I have somebody looking over my shoulder who had a few fights and is a woman. She agrees it hurts somewhat to get hit in the chest. Not very bad though she added. And it's not ONE woman who chose not to wear them. I wouldn't be surprised if even the majority doesn't wear them. Last question: how many times have you been hit in the breast? Marischa says she has never been hit on a breast during a fight, and has only been hit there about 3 times during training since 1990.

Another thing I wonder about: how much do the turtleshells help prevent damage? I mean they have to have the exact size in order to be effective in my unauthorized humble oppinion:) In any case not too small!

[Rita Figueroa]

I have been hit in the chest quite a few times, and when I did not have the protector on, I did think that maybe I was causing myself harm by not wearing it. Regardless if it's been proven that it does not cause future harm or if it does - for my own sake - I feel that I am protecting myself by wearing the protector. Some people like them, some don't. I just think that if there is a chance it can cause damage later in life if I don't wear it, I am gonna wear it.

[yvonne]

I do not use chest protection while sparring, and have been hit maybe 2 or 3 times. It really only hurts when it is a direct hit. As for damaged caused, there is no medical evidence to prove damaged caused. That does not mean that there is no damage, just that there are no documented facts. That is why USA Boxing no longer requires thier use. But I use them in fights, so not to give an opponent an advantage in the match (just in Case).

But to go back to the orginal comment, that is no reason to lose a fight. My contacts fall out and you just keep going

Peace
Yvonne Reis