It was determined that head gear does not ease chock trauma to the brain and actually induces more impacts due to the greater target area that catches punches which might miss without gear. Also the psychological effect of false security was shown to be detrimental for defense.
"the International Boxing Association, known as A.I.B.A., decided in 2013 to eliminate the guards for amateur male boxers in international tournaments because it had concluded that the guards were not having the desired effect when it came to preventing concussions and other brain injuries. In effect, the association concluded, there were two problems.
One was that the head guards created a bigger target for boxers, who in turn attempted more head blows. The other was that the gear was giving boxers a false sense of security.
As a result Olympic Boxing is banning head gear.
"the International Boxing Association, known as A.I.B.A., decided in 2013 to eliminate the guards for amateur male boxers in international tournaments because it had concluded that the guards were not having the desired effect when it came to preventing concussions and other brain injuries. In effect, the association concluded, there were two problems.
One was that the head guards created a bigger target for boxers, who in turn attempted more head blows. The other was that the gear was giving boxers a false sense of security.
As a result Olympic Boxing is banning head gear.
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