5 November 2009 / REUTERS, JEJU, S. KOREA
The World Boxing Council (WBC) wants to banish once and for all fathers from working their sons’ corners during fights after a study showed it could prove fatal.
Speaking at the WBC’s annual convention in the South Korean resort island of Jeju, council president Jose Sulaiman said the organization already had a rule banning fathers from their sons’ corners but that it was being flouted. The WBC must strictly enforce this law to prevent errors in judgment that could lead to tragedy in the ring, he added. Dr. Paul Wallace, chairman of the WBC’s Medical Advisory Board, said that a study in California backed up the WBC’s stance. “The most common factor out of all the fatalities that had happened, was having fathers in the corner,” he said of the study. “Now, that’s not something that’s a medical issue, but it’s something that’s clearly an association.” Art Pelullo, president of Banner Promotions, said the emotional link between father and son should preclude them working so closely together during a fight.
