I'm just about to sit down and watch this fight for the first time. I know that it's supposed to be a brutal affair, and that Kim sadly lost his life shortly after the bout. What are the feelings of the members on the Classic forum about this? Should the fight have been stopped, is there anyone to blame for what happened? In any event, after I sit down and watch the fight I'll sit down and watch the documentary documenting the events of what happened and seeing how the effects are still being felt today. Anyone else seen this documentary? One final thing, I understand that rounds were changed as a result of the tragedy. I'd personally like to see 15 round championship fights again, I don't see how limiting a fight to 12 is going to save anyone's lives. The referee is there to ensure the safety of the fighters, and the fighters today have it a little to easy for my liking. Thoughts?
Agreed; Benn-McClellan was scheduled for 12. In today's era of heightened safety awareness and corners/officials/physicians quicker to intervene, there really isn't an argument against reinstating the championship 15. Enjoy the fight. :good
Ive heard people say Kim shouldnt have been in there with mancini but he definitly proved he did. I cant tell you how much i admire the bravery of Kim. Even though i knew he died when i watched it i cried. The version i had also had reportage from the next day and tat made it worse
I remember the fight and thought Kim gave a good account of himself against Mancini.Maybe it should've been stopped, then we wouldn't have this 12 round crap to deal with.:thumbsup
Like Pintor-Owen, what happened here was the result of just one punch. Kim reportedly wrote "Kill or be killed" in English on a lampshade in his hotel room before going to war. I think the 12 round distance might actually heighten risk of brain injury by rewarding inferior conditioning, and reducing the value of body punching which had so much more significance over the championship distance. The greedy slime who wanted to exploit boxing's popularity by increasing television commercial time were waiting for an excuse to reduce the limit to 12 rounds under the false pretext of "safety." Contrivances like shorter distances, bigger gloves and headgear actually result in a far higher accumulation of punches to the head, where most of the real damage in pugilistica dementia occurs. Nothing can ever be made completely safe, but I think a return to longer distances and smaller gloves would result in greater concentration on body punching and avoiding head shots. (Late in life, Billy Conn kept parroting that, "You're not supposed to get hit!," and bemoaned the fact that modern competitors were accepting far more punches than in his heyday.) Take away the pillows which are being used as gloves today, and boxers will work harder to avoid punches, or get out of the sport if they can't develop the defensive ability necessary to do this.) Fatalities have occurred in competition with headgear being worn. Get rid of it, as it hampers vision, thus undermining safety.
