Regulatory Guidelines
Modified July 27, 2005
Regulatory Guidelines
Modified July 27, 2005
ASSOCIATION OF BOXING COMMISSIONS
REGULATORY GUIDELINES AND RULES FOR ALL
WORLD AND REGIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP BOUTS
The
following regulatory guidelines and rules govern all championship professional
boxing competitions held within the
In the event of a dispute
regarding the guidelines, rules, or any other issue that is not clearly covered
under the ABC rules, the supervising Commission of the bout will be the final
authority.
All licensees and officials involved in the actual conduct of an event
shall be under the direct control of the supervising
commission assigned to regulate the
event. No official shall in any
manner display partiality for one contestant over the other. The
Uniform Championship Rules shall be utilized in conjunction with these
guidelines.
All
boxers competing shall receive a pre-fight physical examination by a ringside
physician who certifies in writing whether or not the boxer is physically fit to
safely compete. A true and correct
copy of the event physician’s certification shall be provided to the
supervising Commission. If the event
physician’s certification fails to certify that the boxer is physically fit to
safely compete, the boxer shall not participate in any contest, and immediately
be placed on the National suspension list. Unless the supervising Commission
determines otherwise, all post-fight physicals shall be conducted by the
ringside physician after the final bout of the event.
Boxers shall also be required to meet all supervising Commission
licensing and medical requirements.
Only discretional use of petroleum jelly will be allowed on the face, arms or any other part of the boxer’s body.
In the case of a cut, only the topical use of the following is allowed:
a. A solution of adrenaline 1/1000
b. Avetine
c. Thrombin
**All other solutions are prohibited.
Prohibited
Drugs
Any/all
boxers may be required to submit to drug testing, or any other testing as
required by the supervising Commission at the promoter’s expense.
All medical and administrative suspensions placed on contestants by other athletic commissions will be recognized by the supervising Commission.
Each
boxer shall be covered by health insurance that provides medical coverage for
any injuries sustained in the boxing event.
The recommended amount of health and accidental
death benefit coverage per boxer is $100,000.
The minimum amount per boxer shall be $10,000 health and $10,000
accidental death benefits. A
certificate of health insurance must be provided to the supervising commission
prior to the match.
Boxers
must be at least eighteen (18) years of age and possess a current Federal
ID Card in order to compete in a professional boxing
match.
There shall be full compliance with the Professional Boxing Safety Act of 1996 and the Muhammad Ali Boxing Reform Act (15 USC § 6301, et seq.) and any amendments made thereto.
All positions recognized by the supervising commission are required to be licensed.
The supervising Commission shall use their current license fee schedule.
Female
boxers shall box in boxing shorts, abdominal guard, foul proof cup, body shirt,
shoes and a custom-made, individually fitted mouthpiece.
Breast protectors are optional.
Boxers shall wear NO facial cosmetics. Hair shall be secured with soft
and non-abrasive materials when deemed appropriate by an official from the
supervising commission.
The weight classes shall be the same as used by male boxers.
No female professional boxing contest shall be scheduled for more than
ten (10) rounds. Each round shall be
two (2) minutes in duration and have a one (1) minute rest period between
rounds.
Female Bout
Gloves Sizes
Glove
weight shall be the same as used by male boxers.
Larger gloves may be used if agreed upon by both boxers.
Weigh-Ins
Scales
The
scales used for weigh-ins shall be provided by the promoter and approved by the
supervising Commission. If more than
one scale is used, each boxer shall be weighed on the same scale as his/her
opponent.
Weigh-In
Procedures
Boxers
shall be weighed within twenty-four hours prior to the scheduled event, at a
time and place chosen by the promoter and approved by the supervising
Commission. The weigh-in shall take place in the presence of the supervising
Commission and the promoter or the promoter's representative.
Once weigh-ins commence, the scales shall not be moved until all boxers
have been weighed and weigh-ins are completed.
Weigh-ins
within 24-Hours
When
weighs-ins occur within twenty-four hours, but not less than twelve hours prior
to an event's scheduled start time, the boxer shall not exceed the weight
specified on the boxer/promoter contract. If
a boxer exceeds the weight specified in the boxer/promoter contract, the
supervising commission shall cancel the contest unless the boxer:
1.
Loses
the weight exceeded in the boxer/promoter contract at least twelve hours prior
to the event's scheduled start time;
2.
Loses
all but two pounds of the weight exceeded in the boxer/promoter contract at
least twelve hours prior to the event's scheduled start time and loses the final
two pounds at least six hours prior to the event's scheduled start time; or,
3.
Renegotiates
the boxer/promoter contract.
Boxers
who weigh-in twelve to twenty-four hours prior to the scheduled event shall be
required to re-weigh two hours prior to the scheduled event start time and will
not be allowed to exceed the weight specified in the boxer/promoter contract by
more than ten pounds.
Weigh-ins
within 12-Hours
When
weigh-ins occur less than twelve hours prior to an event's scheduled start time,
the boxer shall not exceed the weight specified in the boxer/promoter contract.
For safety purposes, no boxer shall be permitted to lose MORE THAN two
pounds within twelve hours of a contest. If
a boxer weighs more than two pounds over the weight specified in the
boxer/promoter contract, the supervising commission shall cancel the contest
unless the boxer:
1.
Loses up to two pounds at least six hours prior to an event's scheduled
start time and renegotiates the boxer/promoter contract; or,
2.
Renegotiates the boxer/promoter contract.
Weight
Classes, Weight Differences and Glove Weight Guidelines
The
following guidelines shall be used for contests unless the ABC waives the weight
difference allowance in writing.
|
Weight
Class |
|
Weight |
Glove
Weight |
|
Mini
Flyweight |
up
to and including 105 pounds |
not
more than 3 lbs. |
8
oz. |
|
Light
Flyweight |
over
105 to 108 pounds |
not
more than 3 lbs. |
8
oz. |
|
Flyweight |
over
108 to 112 pounds |
not
more than 3 lbs. |
8
oz. |
|
Super
Flyweight |
over
112 to 115 pounds |
not
more than 3 lbs. |
8
oz. |
|
Bantamweight |
over
115 to 118 pounds |
not
more than 3 lbs. |
8
oz. |
|
Super
Bantamweight |
over
118 to 122 pounds |
not
more than 4 lbs. |
8
oz. |
|
Featherweight |
over
122 to 126 pounds |
not
more than 4 lbs. |
8
oz. |
|
Super
Featherweight |
over
126 to 130 pounds |
not
more than 4 lbs. |
8
oz. |
|
Lightweight |
over
130 to 135 pounds |
not
more than 5 lbs. |
8
oz. |
|
Super
Lightweight |
over
135 to 140 pounds |
not
more than 5 lbs. |
8
oz. |
|
Welterweight |
over
140 to 147 pounds |
not
more than 7 lbs. |
8
oz. |
|
Super
Welterweight |
over
147 to 154 pounds |
not
more than 7 lbs. |
10
oz. |
|
Middleweight |
over
154 to 160 pounds |
not
more than 7 lbs. |
10
oz. |
|
Super
Middleweight |
over
160 to 168 pounds |
not
more than 7 lbs. |
10
oz. |
|
Light
Heavyweight |
over
168 to 175 pounds |
not
more than 7 lbs. |
10
oz. |
|
Cruiserweight |
over
175 to 200 pounds |
not
more than 12 lbs. |
10
oz. |
|
Heavyweight |
over
200 to |
No
limit |
10
oz. |
1.
No boxing contest shall be allowed
unless approved by the supervising Commission.
The decision of the supervising Commission is final.
2.
The supervising Commission may approve
the contest if the following information about each boxer is similar and the
supervising Commission does not have undo concern for the safety and welfare of
either boxer proposed for a contest.
a.
Boxing record;
b.
Boxing experience;
c.
Boxing skill; and
d.
Physical condition.
3.
The supervising Commission shall notify
the matchmaker and promoter when a boxing contest is approved by giving
preliminary approval to the matchmaker and by approving of the advance notice
submitted by the promoter. Only
bouts approved by the supervising Commission will be allowed, and their decision
is final.
Duration
of Rounds
No
professional boxing contest shall be scheduled for more than twelve (12) rounds
for males or ten (10) rounds for females. Each
round shall be three (3) minutes in duration for male boxers and two (2) minutes
for female boxers and have a one (1) minute rest period between rounds.
Hand
wraps shall be restricted to no more than twenty (20) yards of soft gauze, not
more than two (2) inches wide. The
gauze shall be held in place by no more than eight (8) feet of adhesive tape, no
more than one and one-half (1 ½) inches wide.
The adhesive tape shall not cover any part of the knuckles when the hand
is clenched to make a fist. The use
of water, or any other liquid or material, on the tape is strictly prohibited.
Hand
wraps shall be applied in the dressing room in the presence of a Commission
representative and, if requested, one representative of the other boxer.
Gloves
must have the distal portion of the thumb attached to the body of the glove so
as to minimize the possibility of injury to an opponent's eye.
A glove, or set of gloves, shall only be used once during each boxing
event. All gloves are subject to
inspection by the supervising Commission. Gloves
found to be twisted, manipulated, altered, unfit or ill-fitting, shall be
replaced.
The
promoter shall provide one set each of eight-ounce and ten-ounce gloves to the
supervising Commission prior to the start of the first contest for use in case
gloves are damaged during a contest. Promoters
shall supply gloves that are whole, clean, sanitary, and in good condition.
The gloves may not be twisted, manipulated or altered in any manner.
The promoter shall provide new gloves for all main event and title bouts.
When
two boxers in a contest are above and below the weights described in the
subsection entitled “Guidelines for Boxing Weight Classes, Weight Difference
and Glove Weight,” both boxers shall wear the gloves required for the higher
weight.
No
person other than the contestants and the referee shall enter the ring during a
bout. For non-title fights there may
be no more than three seconds. Between
rounds, one second may be inside the ring and the other (2) on the ring apron.
For a championship fight there may be four seconds.
Between rounds, one second may be inside the ring and two (2) of the
seconds on the ring apron, with the fourth second remaining off the apron on the
floor.
The
physician may enter the ring if asked by the referee, the supervising commission
or the inspectors to examine an injury to a contestant.
No
contestant shall leave the ring during any one-minute rest period between
rounds.
The
referee may, in his/her discretion, stop a contest or exhibition if an
unauthorized person enters the ring during a round.
Fouls
A
foul is an action by a boxer, identified by the referee, that does not meet the
standard of a fair blow or the conduct of a responsible professional fighter.
Fouls may include, but are not limited to, the following types of contact or
acts:
1.
Hitting an opponent below the navel or behind the ear;
2.
Hitting an opponent who is knocked down;
3. Holding
an opponent with one hand and hitting with the other;
4.
Holding or deliberately maintaining a clinch;
5. Wrestling,
kicking or roughing;
6. Pushing
an opponent about the ring or into the ropes;
7. Butting
with the head, shoulder, knee, elbow;
8. Hitting
with the open glove, the butt or inside of the hand, or back of the hand,
the
elbow or the wrist;
9. Purposely
falling down onto the canvas of the ring without being hit or for the
purpose
of avoiding a blow;
10.
Striking deliberately at that part of the body over the kidneys;
11. Using
the pivot blow (pivoting while throwing a punch) or the rabbit punch
(punches
thrown to the back of the head and neck areas);
12. Jabbing
the eyes with the thumb of the glove;
13. Use
of abusive language;
14. Unsportsmanlike
conduct causing injury to an opponent that does not meet the
standard
of a fair blow;
15. Hitting
on the break;
16. Intentionally
spitting out the mouthpiece;
17. Hitting
on or out of the ropes;
18. Holding
rope and hitting;
19. Biting/spitting;
20. Not
following referee's instructions;
21. Stepping
on opponent;
22. Crouching
below opponent's belt;
23. Leaving
neutral corner; and
24. Corner
second shouting.
Injuries
sustained by Fouls
A.
Intentional fouls.
1.
If an intentional foul causes an injury,
and the injury is severe enough to terminate the bout immediately, the boxer
causing the injury shall lose by disqualification.
2.
If an intentional foul causes an injury
and the bout is allowed to continue, the referee will notify the authorities and
deduct (2) points from the boxer who caused the foul.
Point deductions for intentional fouls will be mandatory.
3.
If an intentional foul causes an injury
and the injury results in the bout being stopped in a latter round, the injured
boxer will win by TECHNICAL DECISION if he is ahead on the score cards or
the bout will result in a TECHNICAL DRAW if the injured boxer is behind
or even on the score cards. Partial
or incomplete rounds will be scored. If
no action has occurred, the round should be scored as an even round.
4.
If boxer injures himself while
attempting to intentionally foul his opponent, the referee will not take any
action in his favor, and this injury will be the same as one produced by a fair
blow.
5.
If the referee feels that a boxer has
conducted himself in an unsportsman-like manner he/she may stop the bout and
disqualify the boxer.
B.
Accidental fouls.
If
an accidental foul causes an injury severe enough for the referee to stop the
bout immediately, the bout will result in a NO DECISION if stopped before
three (3) completed rounds in bouts scheduled for four rounds. Rounds are
complete when the bell rings signifying the end of a round.
If a bout is scheduled for more than four (4) rounds and an accidental
foul occurs causing an injury severe enough for the referee to stop the bout
immediately, the bout will result in a NO DECISION if stopped before four
(4) completed rounds.
If
an accidental foul causes an injury severe enough for the referee to stop the
bout immediately, after three (3) rounds have occurred in bouts scheduled for
four rounds, the bout will result in a TECHNICAL DECISION, awarded to the
boxer who is ahead on the score cards at the time the bout is stopped.
If a bout is scheduled for more than four (4) rounds and an accidental
foul causing an injury severe for the referee to stop the bout immediately,
after four (4) rounds have occurred, the bout will result in a TECHNICAL
DECISION, awarded to the boxer who is ahead on the score cards at the time
the bout is stopped.
A
fighter who is hit with an accidental low blow must continue after a reasonable
amount of time but no more than five (5) minutes or he/she
will lose the fight.
Disqualification
for fouls to the body can only occur if the referee feels that these fouls are
flagrant and/or continual. The
referee may order a deduction of points for any illegal blow to the body and
may, at his/her discretion, give a rest period of up to five (5) minutes for the
injured boxer to recover. The
referee may ask the ringside physician to examine the boxer before granting the
rest period. If the referee rules
the foul accidental and the injured boxer is unable to continue after the five
(5) minute rest period, the rules governing accidental fouls shall apply.
A
boxer who is hit with an accidental low blow must continue after the five- (5)
minute rest or he/she will lose the bout.
When
an intentional foul causes an injury and the bout is allowed to continue, the
referee will notify the authorities and deduct two (2) points from the boxer who
caused the foul. Point deductions
for intentional fouls are mandatory.
It
shall be ruled a knockdown when, as a result of a legal blow or series of legal
blows, a contestant:
1.
Touches
the floor with any part of the body other than his/her feet;
2.
Is being held up by the ropes, or
3.
Is hanging on, through, or over the ropes without the ability to protect
him/herself and cannot fall to the floor.
In the case of a knock down, the eight (8) count is mandatory.
A contestant who is knocked out shall be suspended for a minimum period
of sixty days and a contestant who loses by technical knock out shall be
suspended for a minimum period of thirty days from participating in any boxing
activity.
A
referee may terminate the count and the bout at any point when he/she decides
that the safety of the downed boxer is at risk.
In the event of a knockdown, the downed boxer will be allowed a ten count
in which to rise unassisted. Should
a contestant arise before the count of ten is reached and go back down
immediately without being struck by the opponent, the referee shall resume the
count where he/she left off.
A referee may count a contestant out who is hanging defensively on,
through, or over the ropes or on the floor.
When a knockdown occurs, the downed boxer’s opponent shall go to the
furthest neutral corner and remain there while the count is being made.
The referee may stop counting if the opponent fails to go to the neutral
corner, and resume the count where he/she left off when the opponent reports to
or returns to the neutral corner.
When
a cut is produced by a legal punch and the fight is stopped because of that cut,
the injured boxer shall lose by Technical Knock-out, and the Commission
shall inscribe in the records the letters TKO (loss by technical
knock-out).
Any
boxer losing by way of a TKO resulting from head blows shall receive a medical
suspension and shall not participate in any boxing activity for a minimum of a
thirty (30) day.
Bout
Termination Due to a Knock-Out – Knock-out (KO)
When a boxer loses by way of a knock-out or is unable to rise by the
count of ten, he/she shall lose by Knock-out
(KO), and the Commission shall inscribe in the records the letters KO
(loss by knock-out).
Medical
Suspensions
A
boxer losing by way of a Technical Knock
Out (TKO) resulting from head blows shall receive a medical suspension and
shall not participate in any boxing activity for a minimum period of thirty (30)
days. A boxer losing by way of a Knock
Out (KO) shall receive a medical suspension and shall not participate in any
boxing activity for a minimum period of sixty days.
At the discretion of the physician, longer suspension periods may be
issued for either the TKO or KO.
Boxers
shall receive a mandatory seven-day rest period after competing in an event.
Day 1 of the mandatory rest period shall commence on the first day
following the event.
A
physician may issue a medical suspension any time he/she believes it to be in
the best interest for the safety of a boxer (i.e., high blood pressure at
pre-fight physical). In any/all
cases, the decision by the physician to issue or extend a suspension is final.