WHITE COLLAR AND CELEBRITY BOXING ON TV

Early day motion 1496, tabled 1 July 2003 by Jimmy Wray (Labour). Signed by 17 members.

That this House believes that ITV should not screen its programme on white collar boxing; further believes that they have underestimated the duty of care required and may leave themselves open to legal action and that ITV should not support unlicensed boxing; is concerned that these programmes trivialise what is a serious and potentially dangerous sport; notes that these fights are unlicensed with inadequate medical cover; further believes that white collar boxers with little or no boxing experience are putting themselves at considerable risk and are not taking into account the predisposition of a person's body parts to trauma; further notes that the British Boxing Board of Control does not license boxers over the age of 35 who have not boxed before; congratulates the BBC's decision to withdraw from making these programmes; hopes that ITV will follow suit and not commission another programme featuring boxing celebrities; and hopes that the trend of showing white collar or celebrity boxing matches on television will be put to an end.

Signatures by party: Labour 11, Liberal Democrat 3, Plaid Cymru 2, Labour/Co-operative 1.