When Jin Sasaki revealed he’d lost six weeks of memory following his WBO title fight knockout, it should’ve stopped the boxing world in its tracks. Instead, it was brushed off like another day at the office.
And that’s the problem.
Because this isn’t just about Sasaki. This is about a sport that still — somehow — has no universal concussion protocol. Not in 2025. Not after decades of data. Not even after high-profile tragedies.
If boxing memory loss isn’t taken seriously soon, we’re going to keep seeing more fighters forget the very careers they bled for.
Six Weeks Gone — And No One Batted an Eyelid
The 22-year-old Japanese puncher was riding high before his WBO title shot. He was aggressive, exciting, all-action — a fan favourite. But after being stopped in a punishing fight, Sasaki later admitted he remembered nothing from the moment he stepped into the ring to six weeks later.
Six. Whole. Weeks. Gone.
And what did boxing do?
A short medical suspension. No independent brain scans. No formal review. No talk of new protocols.
“I remember entering the ring, but the next thing I recall is being told I lost the fight.”
— Jin Sasaki, quoted via Asian Boxing
This should be a massive red flag. But instead, it’s business as usual. That alone tells you everything you need to know about where boxing’s priorities lie.
Boxing Still Has No Concussion Protocol – Are We Joking?
Let’s be clear: boxing is miles behind almost every other major sport when it comes to brain health.
- In football, players now have concussion substitutions and strict return-to-play timelines.
- In rugby, head injury assessments are mandatory — no exceptions.
- Even WWE, after the Chris Benoit tragedy, brought in sweeping changes: banning chair shots to the head, outlawing certain moves, and enforcing real concussion checks.
- And in the UFC, there are mandatory post-fight medicals and suspensions, often lasting months after a knockout.
Meanwhile, in boxing? A guy can get knocked unconscious, and be back sparring in three weeks — if his local commission allows it.
There’s no global standard, no mandatory testing, and no unified suspension system.
We know more about CTE now than ever before. We know what repeated head trauma does to the brain. So why is boxing still acting like it’s the 1950s?
It’s not just outdated — it’s outright negligent.
You Can’t Ban Punches — But You Can Protect Fighters
Let’s be real. You can’t ban head punches in boxing — it’s the nature of the sport. But you can do a hell of a lot more to protect fighters after the damage is done.
Here’s what should already be happening:
- Mandatory concussion testing after any stoppage or knockdown
- Independent neurologists involved in post-fight clearance
- Long-term suspensions tied to actual recovery, not fixed timelines
- A global medical protocol, not left to random state commissions
You want to keep the sport alive? Start by keeping the fighters alive — and functioning.
The Long-Term Cost: Boxing Memory Loss and CTE
The terrifying part is that memory loss doesn’t wait for retirement. It starts while fighters are still active — and often, nobody notices until it’s too late.
Look at the evidence:
- Freddie Roach has been living with Parkinson’s for years. He’s said openly that he noticed the early signs before he stopped fighting — slurred words, tremors, cognitive fog. But like most, he just carried on.
- Muhammad Ali, perhaps the most iconic boxer of all time, spent decades battling Parkinson’s after absorbing unimaginable punishment over the years. Many believe he should have retired far earlier.
- Gerald McClellan is one of the most tragic cases. Left blind, deaf and brain-damaged after his 1995 war with Nigel Benn, McClellan didn’t just suddenly fall apart — he was showing symptoms during the fight. His blinking, confusion, and delayed reactions were all red flags. His corner should have pulled him out. Had they acted sooner, he might have survived without life-altering injuries.
These are the high-profile examples. The ones we know. But for every Ali or McClellan, there are hundreds of ex-fighters quietly battling dementia, slurred speech, and lost memories — without a camera crew in sight.
And yet, it keeps happening.
Fighters Have to Speak Up — Silence is a Killer
But let’s not pretend this is only a system problem. Because it’s not.
Some of the responsibility — and this might sting — falls on the fighters themselves.
Boxing’s “warrior code” has become its own worst enemy. You’re praised for fighting through the pain. You’re mocked if you pull out. Even when something feels wrong, the culture screams: man up, get on with it.
But there’s nothing brave about forgetting your own kids’ names. Or needing help to shower at 50. That’s not toughness. That’s tragedy.
Take Mike Towell, the rising Scottish boxer who died after a televised eliminator in 2016. After the fight, his partner revealed he’d been suffering from migraines and vision problems for weeks, even cutting sparring short. He didn’t tell his team. He didn’t pull out.
He got in the ring — and never got out.
His death shook British boxing. But did it change anything? Not really.
This is the brutal truth: fighters must take more ownership of their health. If something feels wrong — say it. If you’ve got headaches, dizziness, blurred vision — don’t ignore it. Pull out. Get checked. Live to fight another day.
Because your pride might win you a few rounds, but it could cost you everything else.
The Culture Problem: When Toughness Turns to Tragedy
Boxing’s “warrior mentality” is part of what makes it compelling. But it’s also killing fighters slowly.
They don’t want to pull out. They don’t want to admit symptoms. And promoters? Let’s not pretend they’re putting brain scans before PPV numbers.
Take Sasaki — no memory for six weeks. Is there any talk of pulling him from competition until his brain fully recovers? Any structured support plan? Any hard questions asked?
No. Just a shrug and the next opponent lined up.
It’s not bravery. It’s neglect — and it’s systemic.
This Can’t Be Normal
Imagine if a footballer forgot half the season. Imagine if an MMA fighter couldn’t remember their last three fights. It’d be national news. There’d be calls for reform.
But in boxing? It’s just another line in the post-fight interview.
If we don’t demand better — if we keep turning a blind eye — boxing memory loss will keep destroying fighters long after their final bell.
Let’s Not Wait for Another Tragedy
Jin Sasaki’s story shouldn’t fade into the background. It should be a catalyst. A warning. A final, screaming siren telling boxing to catch up with the rest of the world.
Start testing. Start protecting. Start acting like fighter health matters.
Because without brains, there is no boxing.
Speak Up. Stand With Fighters.
This is bigger than one bout. Help spread the word.
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The fight doesn’t end when the bell rings.