14 DAY TRIAL // Sarah Blewden, 25, model and aspiring boxer, has just made history, even if not in the way she would have desired. By wanting to take part in national competitions, this pretty pugilist has become the first woman in the UK to be banned by the ABA from the ring on account of her breast implants, which have been deemed a risk to her health especially in the context of her receiving repeated blows to the chest area, the British media is reporting.
Blewden initially pursued a career as a model, which is why she got implants in 2003 to enhance her chest area and thus perhaps score more modeling contracts. Two years ago, reports have it, she turned to boxing as a means of keeping fit but, in almost no time, she came to realize that she really had talent for it, and that it was something she could see herself doing in the future as well.
With a participation in the Olympics in mind, Blewden went to the ABA (Amateur Boxing Association) to apply for permission to compete in the ring, a permission that she did not get because of her implants.
Apparently, although very small, the organization believes that, because of blows to the chest area, the implants might burst and cause damage that may require further surgery, a risk it is not willing to take yet. Furthermore, not even a protective chest plate could help Blewden in case she came under repeated blows to the aforementioned area, which, again, the ABA cannot allow, so it has banned the model / pugilist from competing.
“International rules forbid anyone with implants continuing to box because of risk of damage to the breast tissue. Also, repeated punches makes more likely that capsular contracture may develop around the implant, and you would need corrective surgery to put it right. We had been hoping to do a study so people like Sarah could box in the future but the International Amateur Boxing Association withdrew funding for it.” Tony Attwood, chairman of the Amateur Boxing Association of England, says for the Daily Mail.
Nevertheless, Blewden claims the ABA is just stuck in a situation in which it has never been before, which is why it has refused to allow her on the ring despite the fact that she is not exposed to any kind of risk. “Amateur boxing is not about knocking people out, it is about scoring points through skill. It is great at keeping you fit. I have been told I am good at it and I just want the chance to go on in the sport.” she explains.
Her trainer, Mark Plunkett, believes the same. “Sarah is very talented at boxing. She wants to box at a very high standard and is desperate to go to the Olympics. […] The damage they are saying that can be done can be done to any woman boxer whether they have implants or not. They believe that if she gets hit too many times her implants might burst, but that is not the case as she has gel ones.”