‘THE BOXING CULTURE NEEDS TO CHANGE’

THERE is always one figure at ringside who never hopes for fireworks. The knockouts, the punishment, and the back-and-forth drama all create a heady cocktail for the assembled throng come fight night. One essential seat, however, that’s always allocated at the coalface of the action is reserved for the doctor responsible for the welfare of those in battle.

For the ringside physician the stakes could not be higher. Crucial, and potentially life-saving, decisions are required to be made in an instant, judgments that have to be entirely removed from the pressures of a crowd baying for blood and a fighter too brave for his own good. The fact that Dr Nitin K. Sethi - who was interviewed by Tris DIxon for his book, Damage - fulfils this role while operating as a highly respected neurologist places him in a unique and invaluable position when discussing the brain health of boxers. He spoke to Boxing News about his work to create a safer sport.

How did you become connected with boxing in the first place?

I’d just reached New York City, I was actually born in Buffalo, New York, but was raised in India and I came to New York for my residency in neurology. I didn’t really know anybody so I happened to pass by a boxing gym, and that’s how I found boxing. I started boxing myself and in my role as a neurologist I was very passionate about Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBIs) and concussions. So at some point I wanted to mix my love for boxing with my passion for Traumatic Brain Injuries so I applied for to the New York city Athletic Commission and started working as a ringside physician. And in 2015 I was appointed the Chief Medical Officer for the New York