British boxers may be subjected to regular weight checks in an attempt to detect possible dehydration and consequent danger of brain damage. The British Boxing Board of Control (BBBC) met in London yesterday to study reports following a life-threatening injury suffered by Briton Paul Ingle last month.

Doctors have concluded that rapid weight loss to meet the required limits can lead to dehydration and increase the danger of brain damage when a boxer is hit on the head. In the past 20 years no such injuries have occurred in Britain in the heavyweight division, the only category without a weight limit.

Ingle (28) underwent emergency surgery after collapsing in the 12th round of his International Boxing Federation featherweight championship fight against South African Mbulelo on December 16th.

His condition has steadily improved and on Tuesday a spokesman for the Royal Hallamshire Hospital said he was now walking without support and talking normally.

Former world featherweight champion Barry McGuigan has urged the BBBC to closely monitor the weights of fighters in the build-up to bouts. McGuigan, who held the WBA crown in 1986, feels regular checks would discourage individuals from taking on fights when they know they cannot reach the regulation weight in time for the contest.

"Dehydration is the one thing that has connected all of these injuries," said McGuigan. "The problem is reducing weight too quickly, it is not about losing weight, because all fighters have trouble with that.

"The big problem is getting it down in a hurry - that's where the danger is. It causes dehydration in the fluid in the brain. The brain becomes smaller and there is more room for it to shake about and a greater risk."

"What they (the BBBC) have got to do is monitor weight loss in fighters and fighters have to understand they cannot afford to take fights when they are too heavy."