By Tim Parsons-
Daniel Dubois has been the subject of “dangerous and irresponsible” criticism, according to brain injury charity Headway.
Dubois took the knee and felt he was unable to continue in the 10th round of his British, Commonwealth and European heavyweight title bout in London on Saturday night against Joe Joyce, previously unbeaten in 11 fights.
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The former unbeaten heavyweight who was favourite to beat Joe Joyce, suffered a broken orbital bone and nerve damage around his left eye, but has been criticised from all corners for ‘quitting’ the fight rather than continuing until his corner or the referee stopped it.
Luke Griggs, the deputy chief executive of the Headway charity, said the incident highlighted the mindset which had developed in the sport.
“This is the sort of thing we see all the time, this (talk of) bravery for boxers who manage to defy an eight count and continue despite the fact they are clearly concussed and yet they are allowed to continue to box and continue to take punishment to the head and brain,” he told the PA news agency.
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“In any other sport there would be outcry every time that someone is allowed to continue with a concussion and yet in boxing they’re praised for doing so.
“In this situation at the weekend you’ve got former boxers criticising Dubois for taking the knee when he had a fractured eye socket, the concept being you’ve got to be brave, you’ve got to be a hero, you’ve got to fight on to the bitter end.
“What kind of message is that sending to people about the nature of brain injuries? It’s dangerous, it’s irresponsible.”
Former world champion Carl Frampton and ex-British champion Matt Macklin said 23-year-old Dubois “quit”.
Former world champion Carl frompton and Ex British Champion Matt Macklin said 23 year old Dubois quit.
WBC champion,Tyson Fury, alsp put up an Instagram story with Joe Joyce to congratulate him on his win. Referring to the fight as a great boxing display, Fury also had a message emblazoned across the image of the screen stating ‘boxing is a heart sport’.
Former world light-middleweight champion Liam Smith added to the insensitive comments. He said: ”Didn’t half enjoy that fight, Joyce’s chin is ridiculous. Thought Dubois boxed a great fight too. But I find it hard to think he did not quit.
When you watch a ref count to 10 while on one knee, you chose to stay down. Hope he comes again but questions will always be asked of that”. In fact criticism is being made of the harsh comments.
Boxing News Editor, Tris Dixon echoed similar sentiments in an article for Boxing Scene in which he criticised those who attacked the young Dubois for not attempting to continue after his eye was seriously injured. He said:
”We want our boxers to make sacrifices, no matter the cost, Mr Dixon wrote.
‘Real’ fighters have lost their lives giving it their all.
It’s seen to be better to have too much heart than too little, but who picks up the pieces when it goes very wrong because the sport certainly doesn’t.
Which union would Dubois go to for his medical bills to pay for his fractured orbital bone and the nerve damage around his left eye?
Which union would look after him if he had to retire, at just 23?
How would those call him a quitter help him through life if he was left with one eye?
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