The New Zealand Medical Association (NZMA) is calling for a complete ban on boxing.
The move comes after Christchurch man Kain Parsons died in a charity boxing match whose funeral is being held on Thursday.
Kiwi doctors, a part of the NZMA, says it strongly supports the World Medical Association's position on boxing that the sport is qualitatively different from other sports because of the injuries it causes.
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"There is significant evidence that shows the damage that is done to the brain by multiple injuries," NZMA Chair Dr Kate Baddock says.
In May, the New Zealand Medical Journal published research that highlighted six out of eight amateur, or professional, boxers presented with early onset dementia and another with dementia, Dr Baddock says.
NZMA has long-advocated for a complete ban on boxing.
Doctors believe there is little distinction between the professional and amateur ranks of a sport that is regulated to try and minimise harm, where the primary focus is to cause harm to the opponent.
On Thursday, The Major Trauma National Clinical Network also said it opposed boxing and is calling on New Zealanders to do the same.
"It is our consensus view that this so called 'sport' that encourages people to punch each other in the head no longer has a place in our modern society," a statement read.
"In particular, we are most concerned about charity events where individuals who don't undertake boxing as a profession, risk death or permanent brain injury in the interest of raising money for a charity."
They say the cost to families and society is far too high.
Mr Parsons, 37, died in Christchurch Hospital four days after he was knocked unconscious in a charity match at Horncastle Arena.
Following his death, Boxing New Zealand moved to distance themselves from charity boxing.
Newshub.
