We have two scientifically proven facts that seem to contradict:
Amateur bouts (where they wear headgear) have fewer knockouts than professional bouts (where they don't wear headgear)
Amateur bouts without headgear had fewer concussions than amateur bouts with headgear.
I'm not sure what the best theory is for explaining the discrepancy.
Possible theories:
- Professional rules just incentivize knockouts more, so headgear is still bad
- Professionals are just disproportionately better at knocking people out than defending, so headgear is still bad
- False sense of security is the reason for brain damage, so if people are still as paranoid as before then headgear can still be good
- Headgear decreases knockouts, but increases brain damage?
Any other ideas?
Aside: I happen to believe headgear is probably bad, but I have a theory that goes way beyond false sense of security or decreased vision: Increased torque/leverage where extensions on your head mimic the effect of getting hit in the chin. I never see anyone mention this but I think it's the main reason.