First things First!!! I wanted to say “Congrats” to you Dr. Michael Schwartz for being elected into the Connecticut Boxing Hall of Fame. Although, the actual formal induction ceremony won’t be until Saturday, October 29, 2011 at Mohegan Sun Casino, Uncasville, Connecticut, I wanted to make sure you heard it straight from me.
OK… back to business. For those of you who don’t know Dr. Michael Schwartz, he has been a physician for the past 17 years and is cuarrently specializing in internal medicine. His medical practice is located at Soundview Medical Associates in Darien, Connecticut. His resume is a mile along. In 1991 he was appointed ringside physician for the State of Connecticut. Currently he is the attending chief physician ringside in the State of Connecticut for both boxing and mma events. He is also the chief ringside physician and chairman of the Medical Advisory Board for Connecticut’s Mohegan Sun Casino and Foxwoods Resort Casino. He served as chairman of the Medical Advisory Board for the World Boxing Union (WBO). He’s an advisor for the World Boxing Council (WBC) and the Universal Boxing Organization (UBO). The list goes on and on. He has won numerous awards in the medical field. At the young age of 49, I believe he has accomplished numerous accomplishments in his life and is a bit of an entrepreneur. He is also a bit of an advocate on boxing safety.
Pattee: Come October you’ll be elected into the Connecticut Boxing Hall of Fame. You must be excited to be inducted?
Dr. Schwartz: It’s a great honor. This year’s class includes Vinny Pazienza (aka Vinny Paz) and it’s kind of ironic we are going into the hall together. When Vinny Pazienza had his neck injury and was making his comeback, he was scheduled to fight at Foxwoods in December 1992. I had just started with the Connecticut Boxing Commission the year before. This was just about the time that Foxwoods was built and I was asked by the commission to approve Vinny’s comeback fight. This would be his first fight after he had seriously injured his neck. Here I was an inexperienced ringside physician being asked to permit a former world champion to resume his career. That was a huge responsibility for me at the time. If I haven’t cleared him to resume his career perhaps we both wouldn’t be here to be inducted into the Hall of Fame. It is also ironic because I was the ringside physician at the final fight of his career.
Pattee: Connecticut State law along with the Boxing Commission requires physicians to be at ringside during professional and amateur boxing events. For the new comers to the sport of boxing can you explain to them exactly what is it you do before, during and after each boxing event.
Dr. Schwartz: Prior to an event we require that each fighter undergo a series of medical tests. The tests are very comprehensive and include things such as brain scans, eye examinations and blood tests. I review all of these tests on each fighter and assess whether or not they can compete. This takes place weeks before the fight. Then, the night before the fight, at the weigh-in, every competitor undergoes a compressive prefight physical exam where we determine their ability to compete the next day. The night of the fight we meet with local paramedics and the ambulance team and discuss our plan in the event of an emergency. Three physicians are at ringside, one in each corner and one in a neutral corner. After each fight one of the physicians conducts a post fight examination. Also in between rounds one of the physicians might go up into the corner to ascertain if an injury is serious enough to stop the fight.
Pattee: What does the post fight examination consist of?
Dr. Schwartz: Basically we talk to the fighter, review any complaints and evaluate their general overall medical status.
Pattee: Has anyone in the ring died while you were the attending physician?
Dr. Schwartz: No. Thank the Good Lord.
Pattee: Has anyone ever fraudulently shown you false medicals in order to fight on a card?
Dr. Schwartz: It has happened many times. The most famous time it happened was when we had several fighters from Puerto Rico bring us the same abnormal MRI report. Rather than being smart enough to copy a normal report, someone decided to copy an abnormal report for these two fighters. Turns out, the abnormal MRI scan was actually that of a third fighter who trained with these guys. That evening, since we couldn’t determine whose MRI it really was, both fighters were suspended indefinitely. It made the news reports and looked very bad for these guys. Ironically, they both went on to win world championships.
Pattee: You would think they would have double checked the report before handing it to you. I’m sure there are times when boxers do not pass their physicals and they become upset or irate. Has anyone ever harassed you because of his or her misfortune?
Dr. Schwartz: At this point in my career and with my experience, I think I’ve earned enough respect that people understand my decision. It is always based on safety and protecting these athletes. I will say, however, with some of the big TV fights there is enormous pressure to do what you need to to pass the fighter. Regardless, I always do what is in the best interest for the fighter.
Pattee: Was there ever a time looking back where you wished you stopped the fight earlier?
Dr. Schwartz: Hmmm… The answer to that is no, however there have been times where I wished that I could have stopped the fight but didn’t have enough ammunition to end it because the fighter was fighting back. Nevertheless, I always wish, when a fighter is getting badly beaten, that the boxer’s corner would take the initiative and stop some of these fights earlier. The corner generally knows more about their fighters than anyone else and should recognize when to stop the contest. One fight that comes to mind was the Dennis Sharpe/Deandre Latimore fight on April 16 (2011) at Foxwoods. It was a war, but Mr. Sharpe was losing every round and taking lots of punishment. However, with his heart, he kept fighting back. Like most warriors, they will never quit. I mentioned to his corner that his fighter was taking unnecessary punishment and they should consider stopping the fight. Despite my pleas, they didn’t even answer me. Even the cutman kept rolling his eyes to me and thought that his corner should stop the fight but didn’t. He went the distance, but I always wonder about the long term consequences. If I had stopped it, they would’ve said that the fighter was still fighting back. When I didn’t stop it, some questioned why. Sometimes you just can’t win being the ringside physician. But, in the end, I always remember what Bernard Hopkins once told me. He said “We (the fighter) need someone to protect us from ourselves”. It was the most important thing any fighter has ever told me and I try to keep that in mind whenever I work a fight.
Pattee: Out of all the events you were ringside at, which one would have been your most memorable fight?
Dr. Schwartz: Obviously the first Gatti/Ward fight. The only people who didn’t enjoy that fight were the ringside physicians. If you ever get to watch that fight, everyone was on their feet from the 3rd round on. It was a ringside physicians biggest nightmare to have two men slugging it out like that for 10 rounds. I’m not sure if you are aware of this but at the end of round 9, I was in Micky’s corner and I did the signal that the fight was over as the physician in Gatti’s corner did the same. Both fighters came out to hug each other. The referee Frank Cappuccino either didn’t see us or decided to allow it to continue. He then said it wasn’t over and round 10 began. However, round 10 only lasted 2 minutes 20 seconds because they started the clock before everyone got out of the ring. It was a crazy night.
Pattee: I heard there could be portions of that fight in the sequel movie to The Fighter. So any particular actor you have in mind to play you?
Dr. Schwartz: If I can’t play myself let them get George Clooney!
Pattee: Good choice!
Pattee: Have you ever put on a pair of boxing gloves and did any sort of boxing training?
Dr. Schwartz: I have not. When I was young and playing ice hockey we were actually taught how to box on the ice and I certainly had my share of boxing matches on the ice but not in the ring. However, the hardest punch I ever took in the ring was when Vinny Paz punched me in my chest for stopping one of his fights. I still can’t get the bloodstain off my shirt!
Pattee: Because you are a physician do you feel that boxing is a dangerous sport? When it comes right down to it, these athletics are getting hit in the head and when you are a professional boxer there is no headgear worn unlike in amateur boxing.
Dr. Schwartz: Number one, we try to look at outcomes and not intent. In all aspects of medicine we determine the effects of any study. Unfortunately, people who oppose boxing only look at the intent. Boxing is actually safer than football and auto racing. However, people aren’t calling for a ban on those two sports. The best thing we can do as ringside physicians is to make the sport as safe as possible. Some recommend headgear, but headgear in no way protects the fighter other than possibly reducing the incidences of cuts.
Pattee: Tell me about your role with the Contender.
Dr. Schwartz: When NBC was creating the show they wanted to insure that they followed the highest medical standards. So they contacted me and asked me to create medical protocols for the contestants. I was assigned to the New York casting calls and then assigned other physicians to other cities around the country. Basically we examined all the contestants before they could try out for the show.
Pattee: Have you ever worked a boxing event or mma event where sufficient amount of medical attention was not present?
Dr. Schwartz: Today’s federal law mandates that an ambulance and emergency medical personal be on site at all times. Back in the mid 90’s, at a fight in the State of Connecticut, no ambulance was present. The promoter told me not to worry about it since the hospital was only 5 minutes away. I told him that the doctors would be leaving if no ambulance was present and the fight would be canceled. Subsequently an ambulance arrived.
Pattee: After someone gets knockout and goes down to the canvas, have you ever shaken your head and said to yourself why in the world would anyone want to do this?
Dr. Schwartz: All the time. I think it’s a very difficult way to make a living but I highly respect these athletics. They all put their health and safety on the line for our sport. But, they all rely on us to make sure that no one gets seriously injured.
Pattee: In 1983, the Journal of the American Medical Association (AMA) called for a ban on boxing. Do you know if there are any studies currently keeping track of boxer’s injuries and/or possible brain damage?
Dr. Schwartz: This is a tough question to answer. The AMA still calls for the ban of boxing and despite all the fine work being done by ringside physicians around the world they refuse to reconsider their position. There are many prominent physicians performing excellent research around the world to protect these athletics. We will continue to educate doctors and others involved in the sport to prevent short or long term injuries. There is one guy who does keep track of boxing deaths by the name of Joseph Svinth. He keeps the data on fatalities of boxing. In addition, each time a fighter is injured and suspended the information is submitted to a website called www.fightfax.com. This information prevents any fighter from participating with any injury until removed from the list.
Pattee: OK, so you’ve worked with boxers, baseball players and MMA fighters. Did I miss any other sports? Maybe football is next for you.
Dr. Schwartz: I coached my son’s football team for many years and that is the most enjoyable thing I’ve ever done. Seeing him succeed is even more fun than working at any of these boxing matches.
Pattee: In 1997 you started the American Association of Professional Ringside Physicians (AAPRP). How did this get started?
Dr. Schwartz: The commissioner in the State of Connecticut at that time was John Burns. Prior to the Roy Jones, Jr./Montell Griffin rematch at Foxwoods, almost all the medicals were missing for many of the fighters that night. About an hour before the fight was to begin, I finally received all the medicals and the fights went on. After the fight, John Burns came up to me concerning the missing medicals and said to me “You know that it’s the Doctor’s fault”. When I asked him “How can it be the doctor’s fault” he answered, “ You guys don’t talk to each other”. He continued, “Why don’t you start and organization for the doctors to share information” and on that night the AAPRP was born.
Pattee: You have received multiple awards in your medical career as well as your medical/boxing carrier. Out of all your awards which one stands out the most to you?
Dr. Schwartz: In 2010 I received the Patients Choice Award and the Most Compassionate Doctor Award. I have always tried to treat every patient with respect and caring like they were my family. People recognized that devotion and that commitment and gave me these awards. I try very hard to bring that work ethic and philosophy to the boxing ring when I care for the fighters.
Pattee: You traveled to different parts of the world and lectured individuals in the sport of boxing safety. What was it like to do this?
Dr. Schwartz: It’s been an honor to be invited to speak in places like South Africa, Thailand and all across the United States.
Pattee: Is there anything you would like to say to all the boxers out there, professional or amateur?
Dr. Schwartz: I want every fighter to recognize that the ringside physicians only have one agenda and that’s protecting the athlete. Whereas the promoters, the commissioners, the trainers or even television executives have many things they need to worry about. We, the doctors, are there for one reason and that’s for the safety of these athletes. Many of the fighters look at the doctors as just another part of the commission. I hope they realize that our only goal is to insure their safety.
Pattee: I promise you next time I see you in at an event in Connecticut I will take some pictures of you without being next to someone injured or on the canvas face down or in those bloody shots that I love to take.
Dr. Schwartz: That might be difficult unless you take the pictures before the fights begin!
Pattee: What is next for you? You are quite a busy man… Any new projects in the works?
Dr. Schwartz: I am working with the writer/producer of the new Arturo Gatti film that is being written right now. I hope to also help with the sequel to The Fighter, if that comes together.
Pattee: Anything you’d like to add?
Dr. Schwartz: If everything I’ve done in boxing has helped to save even one life then this long journey has been worth the effort.
Thank you so much for taking the time to speak with me. Any suggestions, concerns or questions please feel free to contact me below or on facebook under Pattee Mak. You can also follow Dr. Schwartz prestigious lifestyle on facebook under Michael Schwartz.
If you wish to attend the ceremony tickets are priced at $75.00 per person and are available by calling Kim Baker at Mohegan Sun (860-862-7377) or you can view it out on line at www.ctboxinghof.com for more information.
As in September, I once again ran out of gas in the 10th & 11th championship rounds of October & November with this column, but I recovered to complete them and will unleash a few more flurries to close out the 12th and final round.
In the first week of October, Hassan N’Dam won a UD over Curtis Stevens in an eliminator for the right to challenge Jermaine Taylor who defeated aging Sam Soliman to regain the IBF Middleweight title. How Taylor even earned this title shot is another story altogether, but it is all irrelevant as he is now the champion. However he will not have too much time to savor his victory as he has assault and battery charges pending against him and an upcoming court fight that may turn out to be the toughest fight of his life, just when things started to look up for him in boxing, we wish him luck.
