Intense sparring session involving young individuals sparks backlash against coach Henry Ramirez, raising concerns about child safety and training methods within the combat sports community.
Image via: X
Sparring is a crucial aspect of mixed martial arts training. However, some fighters choose to abstain from sparring prior to their fights, such as UFC superstar [Name]. Conversely, UFC middleweight [Name] engages in regular sparring. Nevertheless, sparring holds great significance in the realm of boxing. Yet, excessive intensity during sparring can yield negative repercussions. Recently, a video went viral on social media, showcasing the bloodied faces of two pre-adolescent children following a sparring session. The individual behind the video, a boxing coach named Henry Ramirez from Riverside, uploaded the footage onto his platform, X. Ramirez commended the two children for their intense sparring session in the video. Consequently, the fighting community took immediate notice of the video and directed their criticism towards Ramirez. One notable critic of the video was a neuroscientist and former WWE superstar named [Name], who is also known for his disapproval of the slap-fighting promotion, Power Slap.
Various UFC fighters, including [Name], have involved their young children in boxing training. However, this primarily consists of pad work rather than sparring. [Name]’s grandson has also undergone some boxing training, albeit without sparring.
The video posted by Henry Ramirez, which showcases the aftermath of the sparring session between his two students, quickly gained traction on social media. The fighting community heavily criticized Ramirez for his approach to teaching boxing to pre-adolescent children, expressing concerns for their safety. Below, you can find some reactions from fight fans regarding the video.
“Surely this qualifies as child abuse, right?”
[Accompanied by a gif]
“The parents: [insert gif]”
“I already know I’ll be watching these kids on pay-per-view in 10 years 👌🏼💯”
“As a martial artist, this is not the way. Let them engage in wrestling, but exchanging blows to the head is not the solution.”
“This has to be fabricated.”
“Hell yeah, these boys will mature into men in no time.”
“To those who believe this is wrong… it may seem that way, but it isn’t. They are wearing protective headgear and other gear for a reason. This type of training also helps them become stronger when they participate in real fights, so stop being overly sensitive.”
“They appear to be content. People are too soft. It’s boxing, of course there will be blood. They signed up for this and are aware of what will happen. 🤦🏽♂️”
“They will be incredibly intelligent when they grow up. 🤗”
“Pre CTE. 👍”
In addition to criticizing Henry Ramirez and the gym, fight fans also expressed disapproval towards the parents of the two children for allowing them to train under Ramirez. Furthermore, a small minority endorsed such training even for young children.
According to the Source firstsportz.com