MAY I reply to the letter of Cllr Zoe Kirk-Robinson on bare-knuckle boxing (March 8.
The letter states that there have been comments from me “boxing, kickboxing or other martial arts foster violence on the streets".
I did not say that at all. I commented on bare-knuckle boxing.
The accusation levelled against me is: "This is yet another case of the hand-wringing crowd seeing something that looks unappealing to them at first glance and deciding something must be done".
I was telephoned by a representative of the Bare Fist Boxing Association the day of the article.
The man told me it was clear I had looked into lots of the facts and debates around the matter and come to my conclusions.
There is another representative wishing to speak to me.
A journalist also rang me interested in the debate around mixed martial arts compared to bare-fist boxing.
Cllr Kirk-Robinson makes the case for bare-knuckle boxing in the letter.
She gives a view on bare-fist boxing and any relationship to violence on the streets.
She gives a basic view on the safety of gloved boxing verses the safety of bare fist boxing.
Her argument makes no mention of the following; the debate on mixed martial arts verses bare-fist boxing; government role in regulation and legality of bare-fist boxing, relationship between organised street fighting and bare-fist boxing, licensing and bare-fist boxing, specific injuries and medical need in bare-fist boxing, the British Board of Boxing Control comments on bare-fist boxing, public health, powers local councils and local police have in the regulation and licensing of bare-fist boxing (and other events), gambling and some higher fees associated with these events.
People with a key interest and those in government and governance, we are in local government, consider these matters in debate and policy.
Cllr Sue Haworth
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