Concussion Detection in Boxing Seems Possible: Does Anyone Care? Part II

By Matt Benoliel

If Part I of this article screamed cynicism, Part II may be more encouraging. After hours of research and discussions, it is apparent that experts believe the EyeSync device can be used in boxing without fundamentally changing the sport we know and love. The following is a summary of critique offered by some of the industry’s finest.

After reviewing the ThinkSync website, world famous boxing trainer Derik Santos-Rosario believes that the EyeSync® device could be useful “during training,”  and after a bout in the locker room. However, he does not believe that sanctioning organizations would agree to use it. Responding to the question, “should a corner be allowed to call a halt to the action in order to assess their fighter?” Santos-Rosario declares “no way would they ever halt a fight to check, that’s extra rest if their fighter continues.” 

My fellow journalists Mike Feinberg of TheFightingNews.com and Johnny Schulz of 15Rounds.com believe that the sanctioning organizations would agree to use the EyeSync® but differ in their opinions on whether a corner should be allowed to halt the action. Feinberg, like Santos-Rosario, argues that a corner could unfairly take advantage of a “time-out.” Schulz, who also trains amateurs and has competed himself, believes the corner as well as the referee in an amateur bout should be able to request a stoppage to evaluate a boxer, but at the professional level, the corner and referee would only be able to allow a check between rounds. Between rounds, sixty seconds, the exact time that the manufacturers of the EyeSync claim is needed for their device to detect a concussion.

Ringside physician Dr. Richard Green agrees that the boxing industry needs something more accurate than the current concussion protocol. Dr. Green expressed interest in the EyeSync® device and would like to look into it further. 

Henry Rivalta, manager, promoter, and Director of Boxing at The Heavyweight Factory, states the EyeSync® can “be a great thing,” and that “boxing needs it…fighters have families.” While Rivalta also agrees that the corner should not be the one to initiate its use during a bout, he does state emphatically that these are only hurdles that need to be crossed. 

Lou DiBella, one of boxing’s biggest promoters also recognizes a need for change, stating “I am at a point in my life where preventing injuries for athletes in combat sports is very important,” and is willing to look into the EyeSync® device.

The interest is there. One hundred percent of the trainers, physicians, journalists, fans, promoters and fighters that I have spoken to are either interested in learning more about the EyeSync® device and/or outright agree that it has a place in either limiting or preventing concussions in the sport of boxing.