As an important part of my MMA training I’ve been focusing quite a bit on boxing recently. I got socked in the face a couple times sparring the other day, and I started wondering about the possible long term consequences. Everyone tells me I’m crazy for wanting to do this sport so I guess I did them a favor by spending the past couple hours researching the possible long term health consequences of MMA (especially boxing and concussions). After reading this article you can tell me I’m crazy and have science to back up your claim.
Jokes aside, I’m trying to be smart and not just shrug off, deny, or negate the serious risks that are involved (even at my beginning level….. I’m no Cyborg…….yet).
The long term effects of repeated blows to the head is undeniable, and after reviewing the evidence I’m going to have to put some serious thought into how long I want to stay in this sport. How much am I willing to risk? As much as I love MMA and completely accept all the short-term pain and injuries, I’m not willing to become retarded or quadriplegic over it.

http://menshealth.about.com/od/fitness/a/boxing.htm

“Any activity that involves blows to the body, especially the head, is risky. Boxing’s controlling bodies and the Government have made some attempt to put into place a number of regulations, such as the Mohammed Ali Boxing Reform Act, that seek to minimize the dangers. But boxing can and does have some serious effects on the health of people, mostly men, who are involved in the sport.
Boxing ranks high as a dangerous sport. Although the number of boxers who have died as a result of the sport is not accurately known, it does however appear that death rates are much lower than in some sports, horse racing for instance (Robert Cantu 1995, Boxing and Medicine). The Difficulties of finding out exact death rates are affected, for instance, by differences in regulation between amateur and professional boxing, illegal boxing events, the way regulative bodies worldwide function, lack of long term studies and medical inaccuracy in relating apparent minor injury to later medical events.
Injuries Resulting from Boxing
Head Injury
The American Association of Neurological Surgeons say that 90% of boxers sustain a brain injury. Boxing may account for fewer deaths than some other sports but the numbers of boxers suffering brain damage are believed to be much higher than recorded.
It is not surprising that head injury is so common in boxing. It is estimated that when a boxer gets a direct blow to the head it is like being hit by a 12lb padded, wooden mallet travelling at 20mph!
Being hit on the head can cause fractures to the bone of the head and face and tissue damage in the brain. A blow can damage the surface of the brain, tear nerve networks, cause lesions, bleeding and sometimes produce large clots within the brain.
The degree of damage suffered by boxers will depend on professional or amateur status. Professional boxers suffer from the cumulative effect of damage to the brain, often resulting in punch drunk’ syndrome. The evidence of damage suffered by amateur boxers less clear cut, a number of studies found no evidence of cumulative brain damage.
Body Damage from Boxing
Cuts, bruises, broken teeth, dental problems, broken ribs, internal bleeding damage to internal organs.
Eye Injuries from Boxing
Although protected by very hard bone on the side eyes are very vulnerable to direct hits from below. Damage to the eyes in boxing can result from direct contact or from shock waves set up in fluid contents. Depending on the force of the blow damage may result in injury to the retina, retinal detachment, retinal hemorrhage, etc.
Ex-boxers more Vulnerable to Disease and Deterioration in Old Age
Ex-boxers are more vulnerable to natural aging of the brain and diseases of brain. They may be more likely to suffer diseases such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease. Boxers’ brains are smaller and surface grey matter is thinner. The ventricles within the brain enlarged because of the decrease in the brain’s white matter.
Medical Examination and Safety Standards in Boxing
In the US legislation has gone some way to providing boxers with protection from exploitation and with health and safety monitoring and health insurance (e.g. The Professional Boxing Safety Act of 1996, The Mohammed Ali Boxing Reform Act’). Many medical professionals believe that further legislation is required to further protect boxers, especially professional in this sport. Many more would like to see boxing banned altogether.”
Article updated 03/29/2006

I researched Jiu Jitsu as well and didn’t find it to be correlated with long term health problems. I’m sure there is probably a high risk of joint damage, broken ribs, toes, and fingers; but it seems like the better bet. It’s deadlier too, since you can choke someone to death faster then you can punch them to death. It relies more on leverage and technique than strength so it’s great for women’s self defense.

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