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IOC clears AIBA rule as male boxers set for headgearless bout at Rio

March 02, 2016 10:26 IST

Peter Mullenberg of the Netherlands (red) fights Joshua Senna Kwesi Buatsi of Great Britain in the Men's Light Heavy (81 kg) class during the International Boxing Tournament - Aquece Rio Test Event for the Rio 2016 Olympics at RioCentro in December 2015

IMAGE: Peter Mullenberg of the Netherlands (red) fights Joshua Senna Kwesi Buatsi of Great Britain in the Men's Light Heavy (81 kg) class during the International Boxing Tournament - Aquece Rio Test Event for the Rio 2016 Olympics at RioCentro in December 2015. (Image used for representational purposes). Photograph: Matthew Stockman/Getty Images

For the first time in 32 years male boxers will be able trade punches without any headgear at this year's Rio Games after the International Olympic Committee sanctioned a change introduced by world boxing federation AIBA.

AIBA adopted the change for amateur fighters some three years ago but needed to bring it to the IOC Executive Board, which noted it without objection on Tuesday, essentially rubber-stamping the decision and clearing the way for Rio.

The IOC said AIBA had presented medical research that showed concussions were less likely to occur without headgear than with.

"AIBA provided medical and technical data that showed the number of concussions is lower without headgear," IOC spokesman Mark Adams said. "They have done a lot of research in the last three years. The rule will go ahead for Rio."

Boxers have been wearing headguards since the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics. The last Games without them were in Moscow 1980.

Women boxers, who first competed at the 2012 Olympics, will continue wearing their protective gear.

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