Latest news with #CombatSportsCommission
Perth Now
7 hours ago
- Sport
- Perth Now
Outrage over bare knuckle fighting event in WA
The West Australian government has been warned by concerned health advocates that it will be responsible for any deaths if a bare knuckle fighting event goes ahead in Perth. WA Sports Minister Rita Saffioti has declared she will not intervene to stop the Promotion Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship from coming Down Under if it's given the all clear from the state's Combat Sports Commission (CSC). 'The event has to be sanctioned by the Combat Sports Commission … there's two stages of this,' she said. 'This was the first, whether the sport can be allowed in the state, and that was something that has been signed off by the previous minister. 'And then there's the actual event … what the proponents have to do is put forward to the CSC what is involved and then the commission either approves or doesn't approve it.' Ms Saffioti said the decision was up to the sporting body, emphasising the importance of regulation. NewsWire /Philip Gostelow Credit: NCA NewsWire Ms Saffioti said she was aware that although not everyone enjoyed combat sports, it was more important to ensure the sport could be regulated. 'If you don't regulate, then things go underground and it's much less safe for the competitors,' she told Perth Today's Simon Beaumont. 'It's not my cup of tea, but similar to the discussion and the debate around cage fighting or the octagon, MMA and UFC, similar arguments were put forward … but all I can do is take the advice of the board and the team that's been appointed to give me this advice. 'I take the advice of the Combat Sports Commission seriously. They've gone in, they've created some additional regulations in relation to safety.' The Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship is set to make its Australian debut in Perth on July 19. BKFC Credit: Supplied 'As I said, it's now up to the promoter of the event to make sure they satisfy all the regulations and rules that the Combat Sport Commission have put in place.' Regulations imposed include the presence of medical practitioners onsite and ringside. 'The advice is that they believe with the level of regulations they've imposed that it can be undertaken safely in WA,' Ms Saffioti said. Health advocates warn that a death during the event will leave the state government with bloody hands. In 2021, American bare knuckle fighter Justin Thornton died in hospital more than six weeks after suffering a horrific knockout. Bare knuckle boxing claimed the life of Justin Thornton in 2021 after he suffered blows to the head and face. BKFC Credit: Supplied Just 38, Thornton collapsed after taking several vicious blows to the head and face during the first round of a championship fixture in Mississippi. His injuries left him partially paralysed, requiring assistance breathing, and he suffered an infection in his lungs and spinal cord. Australia Medical Association WA president Michael Page told 7News that the government was only 'taking the advice that they want to take'. 'They're not taking any advice from society, they're not taking advice from us, they're not taking any advice from anyone in our community,' he said. 'Our government has the ability to stop this from happening and if there is a death during the event then of course that falls at the feet of our government that's made this decision.' The event, pending approval, is set to go ahead on July 19.
News.com.au
8 hours ago
- Health
- News.com.au
WA Sports Minister Rota Saffioti will not overrule bare knuckle boxing competition amid health concerns
The West Australian government has been warned by concerned health advocates that it will be responsible for any deaths if a bare knuckle fighting event goes ahead in Perth. WA Sports Minister Rita Saffioti has declared she will not intervene to stop the Promotion Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship from coming Down Under if it's given the all clear from the state's Combat Sports Commission (CSC). 'The event has to be sanctioned by the Combat Sports Commission … there's two stages of this,' she said. 'This was the first, whether the sport can be allowed in the state, and that was something that has been signed off by the previous minister. 'And then there's the actual event … what the proponents have to do is put forward to the CSC what is involved and then the commission either approves or doesn't approve it.' Ms Saffioti said she was aware that although not everyone enjoyed combat sports, it was more important to ensure the sport could be regulated. 'If you don't regulate, then things go underground and it's much less safe for the competitors,' she told Perth Today's Simon Beaumont. 'It's not my cup of tea, but similar to the discussion and the debate around cage fighting or the octagon, MMA and UFC, similar arguments were put forward … but all I can do is take the advice of the board and the team that's been appointed to give me this advice. 'I take the advice of the Combat Sports Commission seriously. They've gone in, they've created some additional regulations in relation to safety.' 'As I said, it's now up to the promoter of the event to make sure they satisfy all the regulations and rules that the Combat Sport Commission have put in place.' Regulations imposed include the presence of medical practitioners onsite and ringside. 'The advice is that they believe with the level of regulations they've imposed that it can be undertaken safely in WA,' Ms Saffioti said. Health advocates warn that a death during the event will leave the state government with bloody hands. In 2021, American bare knuckle fighter Justin Thornton died in hospital more than six weeks after suffering a horrific knockout. Just 38, Thornton collapsed after taking several vicious blows to the head and face during the first round of a championship fixture in Mississippi. His injuries left him partially paralysed, requiring assistance breathing, and he suffered an infection in his lungs and spinal cord. Australia Medical Association WA president Michael Page told 7News that the government was only 'taking the advice that they want to take'. 'They're not taking any advice from society, they're not taking advice from us, they're not taking any advice from anyone in our community,' he said. 'Our government has the ability to stop this from happening and if there is a death during the event then of course that falls at the feet of our government that's made this decision.' The event, pending approval, is set to go ahead on July 19.
Perth Now
8 hours ago
- Sport
- Perth Now
Outrage over bare knuckle fighting event
The West Australian government has been warned by concerned health advocates that it will be responsible for any deaths if a bare knuckle fighting event goes ahead in Perth. WA Sports Minister Rita Saffioti has declared she will not intervene to stop the Promotion Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship from coming Down Under if it's given the all clear from the state's Combat Sports Commission (CSC). 'The event has to be sanctioned by the Combat Sports Commission … there's two stages of this,' she said. 'This was the first, whether the sport can be allowed in the state, and that was something that has been signed off by the previous minister. 'And then there's the actual event … what the proponents have to do is put forward to the CSC what is involved and then the commission either approves or doesn't approve it.' Ms Saffioti said the decision was up to the sporting body, emphasising the importance of regulation. NewsWire /Philip Gostelow Credit: NCA NewsWire Ms Saffioti said she was aware that although not everyone enjoyed combat sports, it was more important to ensure the sport could be regulated.'If you don't regulate, then things go underground and it's much less safe for the competitors,' she told Perth Today's Simon Beaumont. 'It's not my cup of tea, but similar to the discussion and the debate around cage fighting or the octagon, MMA and UFC, similar arguments were put forward … but all I can do is take the advice of the board and the team that's been appointed to give me this advice. 'I take the advice of the Combat Sports Commission seriously. They've gone in, they've created some additional regulations in relation to safety.' The Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship is set to make its Australian debut in Perth on July 19. BKFC Credit: Supplied 'As I said, it's now up to the promoter of the event to make sure they satisfy all the regulations and rules that the Combat Sport Commission have put in place.' Regulations imposed include the presence of medical practitioners onsite and ringside. 'The advice is that they believe with the level of regulations they've imposed that it can be undertaken safely in WA,' Ms Saffioti said. Health advocates warn that a death during the event will leave the state government with bloody hands. In 2021, American bare knuckle fighter Justin Thornton died in hospital more than six weeks after suffering a horrific knockout. Bare knuckle boxing claimed the life of Justin Thornton in 2021 after he suffered blows to the head and face. BKFC Credit: Supplied Just 38, Thornton collapsed after taking several vicious blows to the head and face during the first round of a championship fixture in Mississippi. His injuries left him partially paralysed, requiring assistance breathing, and he suffered an infection in his lungs and spinal cord. Australia Medical Association WA president Michael Page told 7News that the government was only 'taking the advice that they want to take'. 'They're not taking any advice from society, they're not taking advice from us, they're not taking any advice from anyone in our community,' he said. 'Our government has the ability to stop this from happening and if there is a death during the event then of course that falls at the feet of our government that's made this decision.' The event, pending approval, is set to go ahead on July 19.
7NEWS
18 hours ago
- Health
- 7NEWS
WA Sports Minister Rita Saffioti says she will not overrule commission to stop bare knuckle boxing event
One Australian state government has been told it will have blood on its hands if someone dies during a bare knuckle fight event set to be held within weeks. Promotion Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship (BKFC) is planning to make its debut in Australia in Perth next month, prompting an outcry from some sectors including health advocates. WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: WA minister says she won't step in to stop bare knuckle boxing event. On Monday WA 's Sports Minister Rita Saffioti said she could intervene to stop it but will not do so if the state's Combat Sports Commission gives it the tick of approval. 'I understand combat sports is not everyone's cup of tea,' she said. 'There's a lot of people in the community who don't enjoy or want to watch or be involved. 'But the same issues were raised in relation to mixed martial arts and the Ultimate Fighting Championship.' She added: 'I can't stop things just because I don't like them. That's why we have a Combat Sports Commission, to provide advice.' American bare knuckle brawler Justin Thornton died in hospital more than six weeks after he hit the canvas during a fight in 2021. The 38-year-old was knocked out in the first round of a championship fixture in Mississippi, with the heavy fall leaving him partially paralysed. 'Our government has the ability to stop this from happening and if there is a death during the event then of course that falls at the feet of our government that's made this decision,' Australian Medical Association WA president Michael Page told 7NEWS. The commission says the fights will only go ahead if organisers meet strict conditions. Its chairman Bob Kucera says they have taken the advice of US doctors. But Page argued 'they're taking the advice that they want to take'. 'They're not taking any advice from society, they're not taking advice from us, they're not taking any advice from anyone in our community,' Page said. BKFC organisers are advertising the event for July 19, pending final approval. On its website, BKFC says 'only those fighters who are established professionals in boxing, MMA, kickboxing, or Muay Thai will be allowed to compete'. 'The referees and judges will also be required to have extensive professional combat sports experience,' the promotion says. 'Unlike other fighting organisations and combat sports internationally which claim to be 'bare knuckle', but require wraps, tape, and gauze; BKFC is true to its word as fighters are not allowed to wrap their hands to within one inch of the knuckle. 'This makes BKFC unquestionably the truest form of bare knuckle fighting. 'BKFC is dedicated to not just creating the safest, most exciting, and highest level bare knuckle fighting organisation in the world, it's also leading the way for a new fully recognised professional combat sport.'
West Australian
3 days ago
- Politics
- West Australian
Premier Roger Cook issues fresh defence against Government's handling of proposed bare-knuckle fight in Perth
Premier Roger Cook has issued a fresh defence of his government's handling of a proposed bare-knuckle fight in Perth next month, saying it was better to have a controlled event, rather than it going underground. Mr Cook said he 'appreciated community concern' about the championship event — a spin-off of the UFC — earmarked for RAC Arena in July. But he said there was a greater risk if bare-knuckle fighting occurred in an unregulated environment. 'I appreciate community concern around bare-knuckle boxing and understand that combat sports are not for everyone, myself included,' Mr Cook said. 'While we understand there is risk to be balanced with any sports, there is an anticipated greater risk in serious harm to people who participate if it's not conducted in a controlled, permitted and regulated environment. 'Let me be clear: This is not an event the WA Government is sponsoring financially.' WA's boxing regulations were amended by former Sport Minister David Templeman in February to recognise the Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship as a sanctioning body. The Combat Sports Commission has said additional conditions would be put in place — if the fight went ahead. But the Australian Medical Association WA says the event should not proceed — and if it did, it would send the wrong message to the community in the face of domestic violence and other vicious crimes committed in the community. 'The fact that the State Government has paved the way for this activity to occur in Western Australia is baffling,' AMA WA boss Dr Michael Page said. 'We are dismayed. 'What was the rationale? Did they consider this in light of family and domestic violence?' Mr Cook says Sports Minister Rita Saffioti has taken fresh advice on the proposed event from the Combat Sports Commission, which was made up of experts in the field. 'It advised bare-knuckle boxing is another emerging discipline, alongside kickboxing and Mixed Martial Arts, that has started to grow here in Australia, since its following in the US and the UK,' Mr Cook said. 'The advice from the Combat Sports Commission is that it requires stringent rules and regulations so it isn't driven underground. 'With the Commission regulating this sport and events associated with it, it means there are strict rules applied and carried through such as having multiple ringside medical practitioners and a threshold to the minimum experience for participants.'
