A recent paper published in the British Medical Journal reviewed 36 studies into the risk of chronic traumatic brain injury in amateur boxers.   19 of the 36 studies have been disregarded because of the methodology and technology used in the study.  In the remaining 17 studies examined, only 4 have shown actual injury risk.   "There is no strong evidence to associate chronic traumatic brain injury with amateur boxing," claims Mike Loosemore of the Olympic Medical Institute at Northwick Park Hospital , northwest London.  Because of the introduction of headgear, the "outclassed rule," trained paramedics at ringside and today's shorter time span of boxing careers amateur or professional, the likelihood of developing chronic traumatic brain injury is almost certainly low.   Boxingtalk would like readers to note that although this study does imply that professional boxing is safer than originally thought, the study was only conducted within the parameters of amateur boxing.  Source: AFP Paris France