Dr Benny says when looking at other contact sports such as Rugby Union, AFL and Football, strict rules apply to what a player can and cannot do to an opponent when making contact. He questions why a set of structured rules do not exist in the same manner to protect a participant in an amateur boxing match. 

"Around 400 corporate/charity bouts have occurred in New Zealand in recent times and two of these have resulted in the death of a participant and other participants have had significant head trauma. 

“Boxers get rewarded for hitting their opponent’s head whereas in other sports the team and player are penalised." 

He expresses that there is a marginal difference between amateur boxing and professional boxing and that the intentions and purposes differ.  

Dr Benny also challenges the ethics around amateur boxing in a corporate charity boxing event setting, suggesting that while participants are up for the challenge there is also an element of wanting to give and fight for the given charity cause.  

“The strong association of acts of generosity and happiness is well documented and therefore the contestants of charity boxing may thus be rewarded with improved happiness.

"With the knowledge we have now we shouldn't be using events such as this to raise money as it's unethical." 

Dr Benny has had discussions with people who have fought in charity boxing events, revealing that while there were parts of the event build up that were enjoyable and exciting, once they were in the ring the experience was difficult and there was a strong dislike towards being in there. 

“I found it alarming that three participants admitted to finding the match really, really hard. They liked the build-up but hated being in there." 

A Stuff NZ article that followed the death of Kain Parsons in 2018 shared a statement released by NZ police from Parson’s family, summarising their emotions regarding the tragedy.  

"Kain gave his life in the pursuit of raising money for those less fortunate and his enormous heart, selfless attitude and gentle giant nature will leave a void in the lives of so many." 

Dr Benny’s viewpoint piece challenges the intentions that surround charity boxing events and the loss that lingers after losing a loved one. If you would like to read the piece that was published in the NZMJ, click here.