A boxing enthusiast is dismissing calls for headgear to be compulsory at amateur boxing matches.

Kain Parsons was knocked out in round two of his bout in the Fight for Christchurch on Saturday night and taken to hospital in a critical condition.

He was one of 18 amateurs boxers who signed up to raise money for two charities.

Sir Bob Jones told Mike Hosking headgear was initially worn in training to protect eyebrows.

"That was translated as somehow giving them head protection or brain protection, it doesn't the brain gets julted in boxing if there's a punch, it doesn't matter if there's headgear in front of it."

He said he doesn't like charity boxing matches because they are distasteful.

"You can't put blokes in there banging away at one another without expecting some repercussions, boxers do die in the ring."

LISTEN ABOVE AS SIR BOB JONES SPEAKS WITH MIKE HOSKING