When you consider the amount of punishment a boxer has to endure when he steps in the ring, with his opponent landing hit after hit on his torso and face, it should come as no surprise that there are strong painkillers that are allowed to be used during the fight to keep the boxer as pain free as possible while he attempts to take on his opponent.
It will be no different on the 12th of November when Manny Pacquiao, also known as the Pac Man, the 32 year old WBO World Welterweight Champion from the Philippines defends his title against Mexican born challenger Juan Manuel Marquez III who will be all guns blazing to snatch the title from the defending super champion. The fight, scheduled to happen at the MGM Grand Hotel and Casino, will be broadcast on HBO Pay per View.
In the news there have been many reports of professional boxers using painkillers like Xylocaine to treat pain, especially in the hands because of its numbing effect. It is illegal in most states in the United States of America for boxers to use these kinds of painkillers. If the boxer is hitting with numbed hands, he hits harder because there is not as much pain, and can cause damage without even realising it. Most amateur boxers will use ibuprofen and similar over the counter painkillers before fights, which is accepted as being completely fine by health professionals.
When it comes down to it, the use of any painkillers that can blur your vision of reality and numb down your pain receptors isn’t recommended to be used by boxers, either amateur or professionals. Some painkillers have been cleared for use but they are used simply to keep the boxer aware after taking the punches he might receive during a bout. We invite you to watch Pacquiao vs Marquez live and convince yourself how painfull this sport is.
