Is boxing a spent force?

Some medics are not happy with the state of boxing

The future of boxing is once again thrown open to debate following Paul Ingle's fight on Saturday and BBC Sport Online hears two conflicting views from the medical profession

Dr Adrian Whiteson, chief medical officer for The British Boxing Board of Control, is a great supporter of boxing, while Vivienne Nathanson of the British Medical Association wants the sport banned.

Should boxing be banned and why?

Nathanson: Yes, boxing should be completely banned. There are two problems.

There are those occasional tragedies where someone is killed or critically injured, plus there is the chronic problem that when someone is hit on the head they have a minor degree of injury to the brain.

This becomes cumulative and then we cannot repair the damage with small tears.

In extreme cases, severe Parkinson's Disease can set in.

Dr Whiteson: Boxing should not be banned.

There are a number of acute injuries that happen in boxing. But the chronic injuries, such as with the brain, are actually very rarely seen these days.

If boxing is banned it would be pushed underground and would be incredibly difficult to administer, risking even more injury to fighters.

Boxers are often from underprivileged backgrounds and it provides discipline, dietary improvements, and keeps many fighters away from temptations such as alcohol and drugs.

But from a moral point of view, it is up to each individual to decide their own direction. Nobody is pushed into the ring.

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How safe is boxing these days?

Nathanson: There is no safe level of boxing. Any blow to the head is harmful.

Head injuries are the most serious concern. The medical staff can deal with a blood clot but the real answer must surely be prevention.

Stopping boxing would prevent exposure to chronic brain damage, which would ultimately save many other boxers' lives.

Dr Whiteson: With the safety measures in place that have developed over recent years, boxing is a very safe sport.

There is a huge amount of medical back-up in place as they anticipate what happens in the ring and are able to act swiftly at every occasion.

The BBBC are able to take away the licences of boxers if they consider a boxer to be unfit to participate.

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How does the danger in boxing compare with other sports?

Nathanson: The thing that separates boxing from all other sports is the chronic and continuing damage of the brain that is inflicted on almost every participant in the sport.

Dr Whiteson: Considering the hours of participation from boxers, there are very few injuries.

Boxing, in my opinion, is one of the safest sports.

There are huge gains to be had in boxing. The boxers are told it is dangerous but if they are fit and healthy and sensible they will make a rational judgment on whether to fight or not.

Assuming they are matched correctly with their opponents then generally they will be fine.