An Australian boxer died today after falling heavily
and hitting his head during a bout, sparking renewed calls for the sport to be banned.
Ahmad Popal (29) had been on life support in a Melbourne hospital with his wife and young son at his bedside after the fall during a Victoria state bantamweight fight on Friday.
"Ahmad Popal died this morning," a St Vincent's Hospital spokeswoman said. She said Popal had died without life support systems being turned off.
Television footage showed Popal fall and hit the back of his head on the canvas in the sixth round. He had taken a series of punches from opponent Tony Pappa.
Popal fell backwards after the two boxers were in a clinch but he had not been knocked down by a punch.
Boxing promoter Peter Maniatis described Popal's injury as a "freakish accident" and said boxing was not to blame.
But Australian Medical Association president Dr Kerry Phelps said boxing was outdated and should be banned.
"This sport has no place in modern society," said Dr Phelps, describing boxing as violent and an anachronism.
"We don't throw people to the lions any more, we should also be banning boxing," she said in a statement.
Australian Health Minister Michael Wooldridge joined the outcry but said the national government could not move against the sport because responsibility fell to the country's states.
