LAS VEGAS -- A committee exploring boxing safety is considering several new rules intended to keep fighters from dying in the ring.
At a Thursday meeting of the Advisory Committee on Boxer Health and Safety, members suggested increasing glove size, monitoring training sessions, improving referee training, giving ringside physicians the authority to stop fights and requiring stricter qualifications for the people working in the fighter's corner.
The committee was formed after Leavander Johnson died from head injuries suffered in a Sept. 22 bout with Jesus Chavez at the MGM Grand hotel-casino. It is expected to report its recommendations to the Nevada Athletic Commission in April.
Former Olympic coach and trainer Ken Adams said he thinks boxers are often injured in sparring. He suggested they not be allowed to spar the week of the fight and be required to wear 20-ounce gloves.
Referee Joe Cortez, who also advocated the use of larger gloves, said there must be a process to ensure a trainer is qualified before he is allowed to work a fighter's corner.
Committee member Dr. James Nave questioned whether boxers should be allowed to have relatives in their corners.
Johnson's father, Bill, served as his son's trainer.
Johnson's death was the sixth in the ring in Las Vegas since 1994 and the second this year. Martin Sanchez died in July as a result of injuries suffered in a bout with Rustam Nugaev at The Orleans. Two other boxers, William Abelyan and Leopoldo Gonzalez, suffered career-ending head injuries in bouts in Las Vegas in 2005.
Committee chairman Sig Rogich said he didn't think new regulations would be able to prevent boxing-related deaths. Brutality is part of the nature of the sport and part of its appeal, he said.
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