ARP - About Us

ASSOCIATION OF RINGSIDE PHYSICIANS.org

“Physicians protecting fighters around the world”

About Us

Established in 1997 as the American Association of Professional Ringside Physicians, it was created to develop medical protocols and guidelines to insure the safety and protection of Professional Boxers and MMA Athletes. As of 2010, the AAPRP held nine national conventions. Each medical meeting has included many topics devoted to ringside issues. Prominent speakers have included Sugar Ray Leonard, Ken Norton, Gerry Cooney, Teddy Atlas, Floyd Mayweather, Jr., Bernard Hopkins, Emanuel Steward, Lou DiBella, Bert Sugar, Chris Byrd, Mia St. John, Ferdie Pacheco, Kristie Martin, and Pinklon Thomas. The October 2011 meeting had Big John McCarthy and Emanuel Steward as special speaking guests.

The AAPRP has published numerous booklets/manuals on safety issues. The organization created the first certification program in ringside medicine. The AAPRP established minimum medical requirements for pre-fight clearance and has met with Senator John McCain and Congressman Peter T. King in order to help create a national boxing commission.

In 2011, to reflect its increasingly international scope and dedication to Olympic-style boxing as well as professional, the organization changed to the Association of Ringside Physicians — the “ARP”. The organization is comprised of the brightest and most experienced ringside physicians throughout the world who are devoted and dedicated to the medical aspects of boxing. Since its inception, the ARP now includes over 350 physicians from around the globe helping to create medical guidelines, standardization and research into boxing injuries as well as efforts to promote education via yearly seminars. The ARP has developed newly formatted physical exam and other related forms, and is presently working with the American College of Sports Medicine to create and update a new Ringside Medicine Certification.