Eddie Hearn and Peter McCabe joined Kate Garraway and Ben Shephard on Good Morning Britain as they debated the dangers of boxing
Boxing promoter Eddie Hearn became involved in a furious clash with a head injury campaigner on Good Morning Britain as they debated how healthy the sport was for children.
Joining hosts Kate Garraway and Ben Shephard on GMB, Eddie was unsurprisingly voicing the positives of boxing and how it helped youngsters channel their aggression in a healthier way.
But things became very heated when Headway campaigner Peter McCabe explained the dangers of the sport and the potential for head injuries.
As Eddie began to interrupt, Peter fumed that he was talking over him.
"It irritates me that this notion that the only way for working-class boys to get on is to take up boxing," Peter said.
"And as somebody who grew up on a council estate in one of the most deprived areas of the country, there are so many sports that teach discipline and encourage kids to train and work and have ambition.
"And those sports don't involve hitting somebody punching somebody in the head."
He added: "The ultimate way to win a boxing contest is to render your opponent senseless..."
"That is so naive," Eddie interjected, prompting Peter to fume: "I didn't interrupt you."
Eddie hit back: "Well, I will interrupt you. You're not as educated as a boxer, as a fighter to go in and render your opponent anything."
Peter tried to respond as he said: "You knock somebody out... please allow me to finish the point. The ultimate victory in a boxing match is you knock somebody out and the referee counts to 10 and the person is concussed. They can't get up."
The pair continued to clash, with Peter raging again: "You're interrupting me again."
Host Ben quipped: "This is the best ding dong we've had on the show and there's not even a ring."
Re: Eddie Hearn in furious GMB clash with campaigner calling for ban on boxing
Posted: 20 May 2022, 07:33
by maverick23
Is McCabe going to also look to have rugby and football banned?
Just watched the whole video. McCabe didn’t have a balanced view. When Eddie argued that boxing does so much good, McCabe mentioned Mike Tyson being sent to prison.
We can all appreciate that boxing does have risk attached to it but it can also do an awful lot of good having a boxing gym in a community.
Taking shots to the head is only a very small part of amateur boxing training. Plus more gyms are pushing the focus to be on body sparring for kids.
Eddie got them to include the video of him sparring Frank Smith and also had a small push on the Buatsi fight.
Re: Eddie Hearn in furious GMB clash with campaigner calling for ban on boxing
Posted: 20 May 2022, 08:43
by JamesPhilips
In these debates they need to differentiate between amateur and pro boxing.
Re: Eddie Hearn in furious GMB clash with campaigner calling for ban on boxing
Posted: 20 May 2022, 08:53
by Fray Bentos
I wouldn't cry about it if professional boxing was banned because if it ever happens one day - they did it to themselves.
Re: Eddie Hearn in furious GMB clash with campaigner calling for ban on boxing
Posted: 20 May 2022, 08:54
by Fray Bentos
JamesPhilips wrote: ↑20 May 2022, 08:43
In these debates they need to differentiate between amateur and pro boxing.
Re: Eddie Hearn in furious GMB clash with campaigner calling for ban on boxing
Posted: 20 May 2022, 09:01
by maverick23
JamesPhilips wrote: ↑20 May 2022, 08:43
In these debates they need to differentiate between amateur and pro boxing.
Yep. The guy was saying the aim of boxing is knock your opponent unconscious which isn’t true especially in amateurs. The aim is to win the fight and in the amateurs it’s rare to see anyone knocked unconscious.
Re: Eddie Hearn in furious GMB clash with campaigner calling for ban on boxing
Posted: 20 May 2022, 09:54
by jimmystone
Boxing people lie to themselves all the time with the sweet science line. Every time I had an open spar or a fight I was trying to knock my opponent out cold. If I said otherwise I'd be bullshitting. The only fighters who genuinely aren't trying to do that are the ones with no power or the ones who know they are not supposed to win and don't try.
Re: Eddie Hearn in furious GMB clash with campaigner calling for ban on boxing
Posted: 20 May 2022, 10:12
by Grilling Machine
Ruthless-RKO wrote: ↑20 May 2022, 07:28"It irritates me that this notion that the only way for working-class boys to get on is to take up boxing," Peter said.
"And as somebody who grew up on a council estate in one of the most deprived areas of the country, there are so many sports that teach discipline and encourage kids to train and work and have ambition.
It also irritates me that boxing's one of our few sports open (with a support framework) to working-class kids, and that's because so many others are locked beyond their income and class reach. Most of our quality facilities are now closed to them without Lottery funding, which perfectly highlights our shortfall in support.
It's not the fault of amateur boxing coaches, who generally give their time for nothing, that a lot of other sports aren't as inclusive. I'd totally be in favour of handing out free spikes and rackets, etc, with free track and court use at allocated times. Obviously stuff like motor racing and golf are always gonna be elitist, but the UK does itself no favours with sports that should be grassroots.
Re: Eddie Hearn in furious GMB clash with campaigner calling for ban on boxing
Ruthless-RKO wrote: ↑20 May 2022, 07:28"It irritates me that this notion that the only way for working-class boys to get on is to take up boxing," Peter said.
"And as somebody who grew up on a council estate in one of the most deprived areas of the country, there are so many sports that teach discipline and encourage kids to train and work and have ambition.
It irritates me that boxing's one of our few sports open (with a support framework) to working-class kids, too, and that's because so many others are locked beyond the reach of their incomes and class. Most of our quality facilities are out of their reach without Lottery funding, which perfectly highlights our shortfall in support.
It's not the fault of amateur boxing coaches, who generally give their time for nothing, that other sports aren't as inclusive.
I don't agree. My children are working class and in our area Rugby, Football, Cricket, Athletics, Swimming, Tennis and the Martial Arts are open working class children and are don't cost much more or less than boxing subs.
Re: Eddie Hearn in furious GMB clash with campaigner calling for ban on boxing
Posted: 20 May 2022, 10:29
by Ruthless-RKO
Re: Eddie Hearn in furious GMB clash with campaigner calling for ban on boxing
Posted: 20 May 2022, 10:40
by Grilling Machine
jimmystone wrote: ↑20 May 2022, 10:20I don't agree. My children are working class and in our area Rugby, Football, Cricket, Athletics, Swimming, Tennis and the Martial Arts are open working class children and are don't cost much more or less than boxing subs.
I'd bundle martial arts with boxing, and it's true that rugby and football are near-universally cheap if not free.
But here in the South West, cricket, tennis and swimming aren't, and my local running track's reserved for competitive runners. In terms of poor teenagers who aren't good at anything but fancy trying, there's not much around here for them. Except quite a few free skateparks in recent years, so maybe we'll see more Olympic skaters and BMXers in future! I did love watching this:
If you're in the North and there's more support there, that's great, but in my lifetime I feel like the Empire's claimed the majority of Bristol's non-university sporting talent. Compare them to the flood of names out of Bath Uni, say.
Re: Eddie Hearn in furious GMB clash with campaigner calling for ban on boxing
Posted: 20 May 2022, 10:52
by Counter-puncher
the Empire's ?
Re: Eddie Hearn in furious GMB clash with campaigner calling for ban on boxing
jimmystone wrote: ↑20 May 2022, 10:20I don't agree. My children are working class and in our area Rugby, Football, Cricket, Athletics, Swimming, Tennis and the Martial Arts are open working class children and are don't cost much more or less than boxing subs.
I'd bundle martial arts with boxing, and it's true that rugby and football are near-universally cheap if not free.
But here in the South West, cricket, tennis and swimming aren't, and my local running track's reserved for competitive runners. In terms of poor teenagers who aren't good at anything but fancy trying, there's not much around here for them. Except quite a few free skateparks in recent years, so maybe we'll see more Olympic skaters and BMXers in future! I did love watching this:
If you're in the North and there's more support there, that's great, but in my lifetime I feel like the Empire's claimed the majority of Bristol's non-university sporting talent. Compare them to the flood of names out of Bath Uni, say.
We do seem to have it okay up here re: sport. our closest cricket club has over 200 juniors and it costs less than a fiver a week,
Tennis club with coaching is about £80 per year for a junior, volunteer coaches.
Swimming lessons aren't cheap to be fair but once you can swim and if you are interested the swimming club is very inexpensive and a good standard,
Athletics club is based at the university and costs £27 per year for juniors under 11 and £43 per year 11-19.
Re: Eddie Hearn in furious GMB clash with campaigner calling for ban on boxing
Posted: 20 May 2022, 12:24
by Old bones Ian
In terms of safety for children in boxing, I'd say far more fiddlers are coaches at gymnastics, tennis , swimming than at any boxing gym.
Re: Eddie Hearn in furious GMB clash with campaigner calling for ban on boxing
That clip is amazing--so cool to watch. But ruined by the screeching. I had to put it on mute.
Re: Eddie Hearn in furious GMB clash with campaigner calling for ban on boxing
Posted: 20 May 2022, 12:35
by maverick23
jimmystone wrote: ↑20 May 2022, 09:54
Boxing people lie to themselves all the time with the sweet science line. Every time I had an open spar or a fight I was trying to knock my opponent out cold. If I said otherwise I'd be bullshitting. The only fighters who genuinely aren't trying to do that are the ones with no power or the ones who know they are not supposed to win and don't try.
I wouldn’t have fancied sparring you then. I don’t think I ever tried to knock anyone out in sparring. If anyone went in with that mentality then they’d be told to calm down or leave the ring.
Re: Eddie Hearn in furious GMB clash with campaigner calling for ban on boxing
jimmystone wrote: ↑20 May 2022, 09:54
Boxing people lie to themselves all the time with the sweet science line. Every time I had an open spar or a fight I was trying to knock my opponent out cold. If I said otherwise I'd be bullshitting. The only fighters who genuinely aren't trying to do that are the ones with no power or the ones who know they are not supposed to win and don't try.
I wouldn’t have fancied sparring you then. I don’t think I ever tried to knock anyone out in sparring. If anyone went in with that mentality then they’d be told to calm down or leave the ring.
We never tried to hurt anyone from our own gym but when people from other gyms came to us or vice versa we went for it.
Re: Eddie Hearn in furious GMB clash with campaigner calling for ban on boxing
Posted: 20 May 2022, 13:16
by Coco
Obv boxing isnt safe but It is one avenue for working class boys.
The working class have far less options than the middle class so it would be criminal to start taking more options away.
Why not concentrate of giving folk more options??
And of course you can demonstrate all of the obvious positives too.
You don't see them going after posh boys sports like horse riding, F1 and rugby.
Re: Eddie Hearn in furious GMB clash with campaigner calling for ban on boxing
Posted: 20 May 2022, 13:29
by jimmystone
Coco wrote: ↑20 May 2022, 13:16
Obv boxing isnt safe but It is one avenue for working class boys.
The working class have far less options than the middle class so it would be criminal to start taking more options away.
Why not concentrate of giving folk more options??
And of course you can demonstrate all of the obvious positives too.
You don't see them going after posh boys sports like horse riding, F1 and rugby.
I know what you mean BUT...
Both codes of rugby are starting to get grief, mate. There are some serious lawsuits ongoing relating to brain injuries. If the RFL, RFU, WRU, and World Rugby get found liable, the game could be in real trouble.
Horse racing and eventing are under more pressure than they have ever been too. Due to animal welfare. The greatest ever three day eventer has recently been banned for life and lost all his sponsors.
Don't know anything about F!.
Re: Eddie Hearn in furious GMB clash with campaigner calling for ban on boxing
Posted: 20 May 2022, 13:58
by banjo
Coco wrote: ↑20 May 2022, 13:16
Obv boxing isnt safe but It is one avenue for working class boys.
The working class have far less options than the middle class so it would be criminal to start taking more options away.
Why not concentrate of giving folk more options??
And of course you can demonstrate all of the obvious positives too.
You don't see them going after posh boys sports like horse riding, F1 and rugby.
F1 isn't exactly dangerous anymore though, back in the 60's and 70's drivers were killed pretty regularly but not anymore, in fact it's very rare.
The TT starts in a couple of weeks so you'll see all the namby pamby health and safety brigade come out swinging the ban stick for that event too.
Re: Eddie Hearn in furious GMB clash with campaigner calling for ban on boxing
Posted: 20 May 2022, 13:59
by Terminator666
It’s a free country supposedly. We all know if boxing was illegal it would still carry on but become more dangerous.
Re: Eddie Hearn in furious GMB clash with campaigner calling for ban on boxing
Posted: 20 May 2022, 14:00
by Terminator666
Oh and heading the ball in football needs to be banned too
Re: Eddie Hearn in furious GMB clash with campaigner calling for ban on boxing
Posted: 20 May 2022, 14:42
by Steveh583
it is hard to defend boxing tbh. i certainly wouldn't want my children doing it for a living. Mine are 9 and 11 (boy and girl), and both do MMA and jeet kune do, but I wouldn't want them competing or having silly, pointless spars. I think its important they learn the feeling of a bit of leather round the whiskers, but in a controlled, safe manner. Ideally I'd like them to gain the confidence, discipline and physicality that comes with learning how to fight, as well as what its like to take (and give) a dig, but under safe controlled conditions.
Re: Eddie Hearn in furious GMB clash with campaigner calling for ban on boxing
Posted: 20 May 2022, 14:54
by gerryd77
Terminator666 wrote: ↑20 May 2022, 14:00
Oh and heading the ball in football needs to be banned too
It is getting banned. Pros won’t be doing it in a few years. Already banned with kid football in most places.
Re: Eddie Hearn in furious GMB clash with campaigner calling for ban on boxing
