ABSTRACT
The underlying question addressed in this study is whether there should be a complete ban on professional boxing or whether the problems that have been identified can be properly and adequately addressed by regulatory reforms, supported where necessary by legal sanctions. It is unnecessary to reiterate in detail the legal, regulatory, medical and ethical challenges facing the sport. Those difficulties are illustrated by the life and career of three professional boxers: a former undisputed world heavyweight champion – Riddick Bowe; a former multiple world title holder – Thomas ‘The Hit Man’ Hearns; and a former lightweight – Leavander Johnson, now deceased.
