British Doctor Doubts McGuigan Should Have Fought in High Heat

British boxing’s leading doctor on Tuesday questioned the wisdom of letting bouts take place in extreme heat, such as the 100-degree conditions that prevailed in Las Vegas Monday night when Barry McGuigan lost his World Boxing Assn. featherweight title.

Dr. Adrian Whiteson, chief medical officer of the British Boxing Board of Control, said a long look should be taken before allowing British fighters to compete in such extreme conditions.

He made his comments the day after McGuigan, from Northern Ireland, lost a decision to American Stevie Cruz in blistering heat and sun. McGuigan was hospitalized after the bout, which was staged in an outdoor arena constructed in the middle of a casino parking lot.

“We have to have a long, hard look in the future to examine whether it is acceptable to let boxers fight in such conditions,” Whiteson said. “This is a sport, not a circus, and the health of the boxer is paramount.

“I question the wisdom of letting McGuigan fight in the open air in the early evening where temperatures were well over 100 degrees.”

McGuigan trained in Palm Springs for a month before the fight, but Whiteson said that was not enough time to get thoroughly used to desert conditions.

“What concerned me most was the exhaustion and dehydration he must have suffered,” the doctor said. “His opponent is from Texas and much more used to fighting in such conditions. Maybe McGuigan would have lost the fight wherever it was held, but that is irrelevant.”