The boxing board's chair was giving evidence at an inquest into the death of former AFL player and professional boxer Shane Tuck, who in 2020 died by suicide aged 38 after an increasingly severe battle with his mental health.
Victoria's State Coroner John Cain is investigating the link between Tuck's concussions from repeated head knocks and his brain injury, known as CTE.
Chair of the Professional Boxing and Combat Sports Board, Alan Clayton, told the inquest the sport's focus on concussion had been "overly narrow" but there was a good appetite for reform.
He referenced the research of concussion expert Robert Cantu - who has appeared at the inquest - saying the evidence around repeated head knocks, concussion and CTE was powerful.
But Mr Clayton said the board would need to be guided by its own medical professionals before he could lay out plans for new regulations.
He did admit the first step would be educating boxers, trainers and promoters about the risks of repeated head knocks, not only in fights but in training.
Mr Clayton apologised to Tuck's family on behalf of the Victorian boxing board.
Tuck's family are separately involved in a concussion class action against the AFL and several football clubs, filed in Victoria's Supreme Court.Â
Former Melbourne player Shaun Smith and Adelaide Crows premiership player Darren Jarman are also named in the class action.
Another class action has been filed on behalf of ex-Geelong player Max Rooke and more than 100 other former players, while ex-AFL stars Ty Zantuck, Liam Picken and Gary Ablett Sr have all filed individual lawsuits.
Last month Supreme Court Justice John Dixon asked lawyers to explore merging their claims as they overlapped and explored similar issues.
The inquest before Judge Cain will continue on Friday.
26°C