[30 Pa.B. 2611]
[Continued from previous Web Page]
Annex A
TITLE 58. RECREATION
PART I. STATE ATHLETIC COMMISSION
Subpart A. GENERAL PROVISIONS
CHAPTER 1. PRELIMINARY PROVISIONS § 1.1. [Definition of ''Commission''] Definitions.
[As used in this part, the term ''Commission'' means the State Athletic Commission of the Commonwealth, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.]
(a) The following words and terms, when used in this part, have the following meanings, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:
Athletic Code--5 Pa.C.S. §§ 101--2110.
Commission--The State Athletic Commission of the Commonwealth.
Commission credentials--Documents issued by the Commission to individuals approved by the Commission granting them the authority to attend a specific event, without payment of an entry fee, on behalf of the Commission in furtherance of the Commission's official duties.
Event--One or more boxing contests, as defined in section 302 of the Athletic Code (relating to definitions), conducted at the same location on the same day.
Knockdown--When any part of a boxer's body, except the feet, touch the ring canvass, at the hand of the opponent, as determined by the referee.
(b) The definitions in section 302 of the Athletic Code pertaining to boxing and in section 1902 of the Athletic Code (relating to definitions) pertaining to wrestling are incorporated by reference.
§ 1.2. Commission offices.
The offices of the Commission are located as follows:
(1) 116 Pine Street, Third Floor, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania 17101.
[(1)] (2) * * *
[(2)] (3) * * *
[(3)] (4) * * *
§ 1.3. Applicability of general rules.
Under 1 Pa. Code § 31.1 (relating to scope of part), 1 Pa. Code Part II (relating to general rules of administrative practice and procedure)[, are] is applicable to the activities of and proceedings before the [State Athletic] Commission.
CHAPTER 3. APPOINTED OFFICIALS § 3.1. Executive [Secretary] Director.
(a) An Executive [Secretary] Director shall be appointed by the Secretary of the Commonwealth to act as the administrative officer to the Commission [, and act as the liaison between members of the Commission].
(b) The Executive [Secretary] Director shall establish and maintain standard operating procedures for offices and [visit each office at least twice per year, to] ensure adherence to procedures. The Executive [Secretary] Director shall also attend a representative number of athletic events throughout [the] this Commonwealth on a regular basis to monitor operations of [deputies] inspectors and officials.
(c) The Executive [Secretary] Director shall prepare, justify and administer the Commission budget.
(d) The Executive [Secretary] Director shall solicit items and prepare agendas for scheduled Commission meetings as well as [attending] attend the meetings, and [the Executive Secretary] shall also schedule and notify commissioners of the meetings.
(e) The Executive [Secretary] Director shall [set up and conduct annual] organize periodic training programs for [deputy commissioners, clerical staff] judges, referees, inspectors and other licensees.
(f) The Executive [Secretary] Director shall [act as editor for a monthly bulletin to be disseminated] disseminate to commissioners, [deputies] inspectors and officials [covering] changes in the Commission's policies and procedures, personnel changes and other information pertinent to current operations.
(g) The Executive [Secretary shall perform duties that from time to time are requested by the Commission] Director shall supervise and direct Commission staff, direct the issuance of Commission credentials and perform other duties as directed by the Commission. The Executive Director may designate Commission staff to act on his behalf at events under the jurisdiction of the Commission.
(h) The Executive Director shall have the authority to approve or prohibit each proposed matching of boxers within this Commonwealth.
(i) Circumstances arising that are not addressed by this part shall be ruled on by the Executive Director.
(j) The Executive Director and the Commission may use a videotape of a bout to review actions taken relating to a bout.
(k) Action by the Executive Director shall be subject to the right of appeal to the Commission.
§ 3.2. [Deputy commissioners] Inspectors.
(a) [An appointed deputy commissioner] Inspectors shall be [available for assignment] appointed by the Commission or Executive Director and approved by the Secretary. Inspectors shall be assigned by the [Commission] Executive Director for the performance of [special] duties under the Athletic Code.
(b) [A deputy commissioner] An inspector shall be empowered to act on behalf of the Commission only when specifically authorized by the Commission or Executive Director. [The deputy commissioner shall exert the full authority of the Commission when thus empowered.]
(c) The [Commission] Executive Director will assign to each event under [its] the Commission's jurisdiction as many [deputy commissioners] inspectors as [it deems] necessary for the proper [conducting] regulation of the event and [it will] may designate [one of those assigned to serve as] a chief [deputy commissioner in charge of the event and of the other deputy commissioners] inspector.
(d) [The] An inspector or the chief [deputy commissioner] inspector in charge of an event shall be the official representative of the Commission and shall be responsible only to [members of] the Commission or the Executive Director. It [shall be] is his duty and he shall have the authority to enforce the [Pennsylvania] Athletic Code [(4 P. S. §§ 30.101--30.905)], this part and, as agent of the Department of Revenue, it [shall be] is his duty and he shall have the authority to enforce legislative and regulatory provisions pertaining to the collection of revenues that are due the Commonwealth.
(e) Subject only to the direction of the Commission, [the chief deputy commissioner] an inspector or the Executive Director shall have [complete] authority over the following:
* * * * * (2) [All entrances] Entrances to the site of the event, including the following:
* * * * * (ii) Entrances for participants, officials, Commission credential holders and employes.
* * * * * (5) The counting and accounting for tickets, passes and credentials issued to individuals to attend specified events including the following:
(i) Working press [tickets] passes.
* * * * * (vi) Commission credentials.
(vii) Promoter passes.
(6) The collection of insurance premiums due and payable on participants, and the documenting and reporting of accidents, injuries and illness [affecting persons subject to the jurisdiction of the Commission, whether or not insurance coverage is involved] of a licensee.
(7) The collection of fees, including the following:
(i) [Special license] License fees.
(ii) Other [monies] moneys due the Commonwealth.
(8) [The actions of other deputy commissioners assigned to the event.
(9)] The payment of purses and other [monies] moneys due participants and fees [and expenses] due officials.
[(10)] (9) * * *
(f) [The chief deputy commissioner] Inspectors shall file with the Commission an official report of attendance, gross receipts, net receipts, fees and other [monies] moneys collected, names and pairings of participants, names of officials and results of bouts as determined by official decision after each event under the jurisdiction of the Commission.
(g) [The chief deputy commissioner] An inspector shall [at once] file a detailed written report with the recommendations [he deems] deemed appropriate, in the case of a violation or alleged violation of the Athletic Code [or of this part or if there occurs at or in connection with an event under the jurisdiction of the Commission a vexatious incident or episode involving participants, managers, seconds, officials, promoters, spectators, deputy commissioners, safety officers or spectators].
(h) In case of the termination of a bout under the jurisdiction of the Commission by disqualification of one or more of the participants, [as well as] and in other circumstances [where the action has been deemed appropriate by him], upon [or without] recommendation and approval of the [referee] Commission or Executive Director, the [chief deputy commissioner] inspector shall have the authority to impound [monies] moneys due the alleged offending parties pending action on the matter by the Commission.
(i) [In circumstances under which the action is deemed appropriate by him, the chief deputy commissioner shall have the authority to impose fines, suspensions or other penalties, subject to the right of the affected parties to appeal the action to the Commission for final decision.
(j) The chief deputy commissioner or another deputy commissioner] Inspectors may not remove, replace or [in any way] interfere with the duties of [a referee or judge assigned by the Commission] a ringside official unless authorized to do so by the Executive Director.
[(k)] (j) [Deputy commissioners] Inspectors shall report for duty promptly in accordance with their assignments and shall remain on duty until excused by the [chief deputy commissioner in charge] Executive Director. Only [deputy commissioners] inspectors actually assigned or credentialed by the [Commission] Executive Director to a given event shall by virtue of office be admitted, without charge, to that event.
§ 3.3. Physicians.
(a) [Two physicians, each of whom is qualified and] A physician licensed to practice in this Commonwealth[,] will be assigned by the [Commission's] Executive Director to every boxing contest [or], weigh-in and exhibition. [except an exhibition held solely for training purposes. One of these physicians will be assigned by the Executive Director to serve at the weigh-in. The weigh-in physician and the other physician will serve at ringside of each event under the jurisdiction of the Commission. Physicians] A physician thus assigned in the case of professional events shall also be licensed by the Commission under the Athletic Code [(4 P. S. §§ 31.101--31.3110)]. In emergencies, unusual circumstances or in the case of amateur events, the Commission may waive the requirement that [physicians] the physician assigned be licensed under the Athletic Code. Physicians [assigned] are not [requested] required to be licensed under the Athletic Code in the case of amateur events.
(b) [Physicians] The physician assigned to the weigh-[ins] in shall file a complete written report on each person examined upon [the] a form prescribed by the Commission. Examinations shall be conducted in accordance with procedures prescribed by the Commission as approved by the Medical Advisory Board of the Commonwealth. Each boxer [and referee] shall be so examined before the start of each event in which he is scheduled to participate, and he may not [be permitted to] participate if he is pronounced physically unfit by the examining physician.
(c) The [physicians] physician assigned to an event shall be seated at the immediate ringside throughout the event and may not leave the ring untended while the event is in progress. An event may not [be permitted to] commence or [to] continue without an assigned physician in attendance. An assigned physician may not leave the premises of the event without notice to and approval of the [chief deputy commissioner in charge] Commission, Executive Director or a designee. [It is the responsibility of the physicians to] The physician shall remain on the premises after the event until [the physicians and the chief deputy commissioner in charge are] he is satisfied that no further need of medical service remains.
(d) While on duty at an event, the assigned [physicians] physician shall render emergency assistance inside and outside the ring to persons under the jurisdiction of the Commission and shall be especially prepared to minister to the injuries and illnesses that are to be anticipated under the circumstances of the event.
(e) The attending physician shall have full authority to determine and to pass upon the physical condition of participants and officials in the ring. [and for] For that purpose he shall have access to the ring at all times and shall be empowered to direct the referee to interrupt action pending determination of and decision upon the physical condition of a participant or official apparently in need of attention because of injury. The decision of the physician in attendance with respect to the ability of a participant or an official to continue in action shall be conclusive and shall be enforced by the referee in all cases. The attending physician shall be empowered to direct the referee to terminate action when a participant is evidently in jeopardy from exhaustion or punishment. [and in] In case of termination, there may be no resumption of action thereafter.
* * * * * (g) [In the event of] When injury to or illness of a person occurs under the jurisdiction of the Commission, the attending physician shall have complete charge of the person while on the premises and shall be accorded the full cooperation of Commission [representatives] personnel and licensees present.
(h) [In the event of the] When a knockout or technical knockout of a boxer occurs, the attending physician shall follow up ministration in the ring [or], at ringside [by further examination] or in the dressing room and shall [there] take measures and give instructions that may be appropriate. The attending physician shall complete a postbout physical report on each boxer competing in the event.
* * * * * (j) When it appears to a ring-side physician [licensed by the Commission] that a boxer or referee is no longer safely able to continue competitive or official activity, the physician shall immediately so report to the Commission and recommend the temporary or the permanent retirement of the person if appropriate.
§ 3.4. Announcers.
(a) The Commission will [assign licensed] license announcers [to] of events under its jurisdiction, except that in emergencies and in the case of amateur events, competent unlicensed announcers may be [assigned] used. The promoter or sponsor of the event shall assign announcers to events.
(b) Announcers shall be [subject and] responsible to the Commission in the discharge of their duties and shall accept directions only from the Commission.
* * * * * (e) Announcers shall be neatly and appropriately [garbed] dressed while discharging their duties. [Dress shall include jacket and tie.]
* * * * * (g) Announcers shall make neither special announcements nor introductions of persons other than participants and officials without first obtaining the approval of the Commission. [An individual may not be introduced while under suspension by the Commonwealth.]
(h) The announcer shall announce from the ring at each event under the jurisdiction of the Commission the fact of jurisdiction, the names of the officials assigned to the event [by the Commission], the name and official weight before each bout of each participant and other pertinent information [periodically] as directed by the Commission [to be announced].
(i) [A person other than] Only an assigned announcer may [not] make an announcement from the ring [unless specifically authorized by the Commission] unless another person is specifically authorized.
(j) The announcer shall promptly collect the official score [cards] card from the [referee and the judges] Executive Director or a designee at the conclusion of each boxing contest [which shall have completed its scheduled duration and immediately submit them to the Commission representative at ringside for inspection. The score cards shall be returned to the announcer when they have been inspected and approved by the Commission, representative]. The announcer shall [then] announce the scoring by each official and the final decision reached. The announcer shall announce whether the decision is unanimous, a split decision or a draw at the end of bouts other than the main events. In the event of a knockout or a technical knockout, the announcer shall [verify the result from the referee, shall obtain the official time of the termination of the bout from the timekeeper and shall] announce the result and the time and the round of the termination of the bout.
[(k) At the conclusion of each fall in a wrestling bout, the announcer shall verify the result of the fall from the referee, shall obtain the official time of the fall from the timekeeper and shall announce the result and the time of the fall. At the conclusion of each wrestling contest which shall have completed its scheduled duration, the announcer shall follow the procedure for boxing contests set forth in subsection (j).]
CHAPTER 5. TICKETS, POSTPONEMENTS
AND CANCELLATIONS§ 5.1. Tickets.
(a) Tickets of admission to each event under the jurisdiction of the Commission shall be of the stub type [unless permission to the contrary is given by the Commission. The printer approved by the Commission who prints the tickets shall at least 5 days prior to the date of the event give the Commission a sworn or affirmed statement in duplicate setting forth the styles, prices and total numbers of classes of printed tickets together with at least one specimen of each class of printed tickets] and consecutively numbered. Tickets shall have the following information:
* * * * * (3) The established price of the ticket [with the kinds and the amounts of] including taxes thereon.
* * * * * (c) [No promoter or sponsor may offer for sale or distribution a numbered roll tickets without first obtaining the written permission of the Commission.
(d) Tickets for events under the jurisdiction of the Commission may not be printed until the established prices have been submitted to and approved by the Commission.
(e)] Complimentary tickets shall be clearly marked complimentary [, perforated, and if distributed to news media, also marked press. The total number of complimentary tickets, exclusive of those to be distributed to news media, may not exceed 2.0% of the total number of tickets exclusive of tickets of working press, tickets of employes and tickets of participants printed for the event]. Complimentary tickets may not be sold by a promoter, sponsor or other person or agency.
[(f) Distribution of working press tickets shall be limited in accordance with the actual number of seats provided at ringside for the accommodation of actively engaged representatives of news media. The seats shall be occupied only by actively engaged representatives of news media.
(g)] (d) * * *
[(h) Tickets of admission to events under the jurisdiction of the Commission may not be sold or otherwise transferred to speculators nor may they be sold for more than face prices plus customarily established agency handling fees.
(i)] (e) Ticket holders to events under the jurisdiction of the Commission shall surrender their tickets or the appropriate stubs at the admission gates and the tickets or stubs shall be made immediately available to the [chief deputy commissioner in charge of the event] Commission upon the closing of the respective admission gates.
§ 5.2. Postponements and cancellations.
(a) An event under the jurisdiction of the Commission may not be postponed or canceled after it has been approved and scheduled without written notice to and approval by the Commission.
(b) If a scheduled event is postponed because of unfavorable weather, it shall be rescheduled upon its designated rain date, if it has been previously set. If no rain date has been previously set, the event shall be rescheduled [for the next ensuing weekday or] as soon as may be fairly and reasonably done after consultation with and approval by the Commission.
(c) The Commission may rearrange the [scheduled sequence] bout in case of threatened weather to assure, if possible, the presentation of the main bout [under suitable conditions].
* * * * * (e) Ticket holders shall be entitled to the refund of the entire purchase price of their tickets in cases of postponement or cancellation of the main event or the entire program of contests or exhibitions under the conditions of time, place and procedure that the Commission approves and announces in each instance.
* * * * * (g) [Tickets to each outdoor event under the jurisdiction of the Commission shall include detachable rainchecks. The rainchecks shall be honored for admission on the postponement date in the event of postponement of the event after the opening of the admission gates. The rainchecks shall be clearly marked with the section or seat locations and the admission prices shown on the respective original tickets. Portions of rainchecks shall be detached by the ticket takers when rainchecks are presented for admission to a postponed event so that there shall be available to the chief deputy commissioner in charge a clearly identifiable stub for each ticket holder admitted to the event.
(h)] The Commission will determine the rights of affected parties to payment for services and reimbursement for expenses in each case of postponement or cancellation if boxers [or wrestlers who] have fulfilled their performance contracts prior to postponement or cancellation [are paid in full amounts contractually assured them].
CHAPTER 9. RELATIONS WITH AFFILIATES § 9.1. No sovereignty compromise.
The Commission, in its discretion, may enter into, maintain or withdraw from association with groups devoted to the interests of [boxing and wrestling] any sport regulated by the Commission, but it may [under no circumstances] not compromise the sovereignty of the Commonwealth or the primary and immediate responsibility of the Commission.
§ 9.2. Fair cooperation.
The restrictions imposed by § 9.1 (relating to no sovereignty compromise) may not be construed to prevent the Commission from fair and reasonable collaboration and cooperation with the [boxing and wrestling] authorities of other governmental bodies or with organizations of private individuals dedicated to objectives similar to those of the Commission.
CHAPTER 11. SAFETY OF EVENT PREMISES § 11.1. Ventilation, fire exits and fire escapes.
Buildings or structures used, or intended to be used for contests, under the purposes of this part, shall be properly ventilated and provided with fire exits and fire escapes, if there need be, and conform to the laws, ordinances and regulations pertaining to buildings in the [city, town or village] municipality where situated. If a part of a portion of a building or a structure is used for the purposes [set forth] in the [Pennsylvania] Athletic Code [(4 P. S. §§ 30.101--30.905)], this section applies to it in the same manner.
§ 11.2. [Certificate required] (Reserved).
[No permit to present a program may be issued until the promoter has filed with the Commission a certificate from the appropriate municipal official certifying that the building or structure intended to be used for the contest conforms to § 11.1 (relating to ventilation, fire exits and fire escapes).]
CHAPTER 13. BONDS AND FEES § 13.1. Professional boxing bonds and bond filing fees.
(a) In the case of professional boxing promoters or foreign [co-promoters] copromoters holding bouts in a place where the seating capacity is [less than 1,500, the professional promoter or foreign co-promoter is required to execute and file a surety bond with the Commission which shall be in the sum of $3,000. If the seating capacity is more than 1,500 and] less than 10,000, the professional boxing promoter or foreign [co-promoter] copromoters is required to execute and file a surety bond with the Commission [which shall be] in the sum of $7,500. If the seating capacity is more than 10,000, the [bonds] bond shall be in the sum of $25,000.
(b) In lieu of the surety bond required by subsection (a), the promoter or foreign copromoter may deposit with the Commission cash, certified check, letter of credit or direct or indirect obligations of the United States or the Commonwealth acceptable to the Commission in an equivalent amount as set forth in subsection (a) and subject to the same conditions. The security will not be returned to the promoter until 1 year after the date on which it was deposited with the Commission, unless a surety bond is substituted for the security. Upon the expiration of 1 year from the date on which the security was deposited, it shall be returned to the depositor if no claim against the deposit is outstanding.
(c) A filing fee of $25 shall accompany each bond filed or cash or security deposited in lieu of the bond.
§ 13.2. Ticket tally.
The authorized representative of a licensed promoter holding a contest or exhibition shall submit in writing to the Commission within 48 hours after the close of the contest or exhibition, a promoter's ticket report showing the number of each class of ticket sold, unsold or unused, and permit the Commission to examine sold, unsold or unused tickets, stub coupons, the financial records of the event and investigate other matters relating to the receipts and conduct of the box office and ticket takers. The ticket tally shall conform to the manifest issued by the [licensed] printer on the printer's statement, and [an after contest report for the particular contest or exhibition shall be approved and signed by all of the following:
(1) The chief deputy commissioner in attendance or by the acting deputy commissioner in charge.
(2) The commissioner of the region in which the event took place.
(3) The authorized representative of the licensed corporation promoting the event] shall be signed by the promoter.
§ 13.3. Additional license fees.
Promoters shall submit a certified check or money order for the payment of [additional] license fees or taxes due the Commonwealth within a maximum of 48 hours after each promotion. Failure of a promoter to submit the required [certified check in the proper amount] funds will result in forfeiture of all or a portion of the [promoters] promoter's bond or funds on deposit with the Commission.
§ 13.4. Professional boxing license fees.
The following annual nonrefundable license fees shall accompany each application for a license or the renewal of a license:
* * * * * [Booking agent's license $35]
* * * * * Manager's license $[40] 60
* * * * * § 13.6. Professional boxing physician fee.
A fee of $200 shall be paid to the physician assigned to the weigh-in who conducts the precontest or [pre-exhibition] preexhibition physicals and who also serves at ringside of the contest or exhibition. A fee of $150 shall be paid to the physician assigned only to the contest or exhibition. A fee of $100 shall be paid to the physician assigned only to conduct the precontest or preexhibition physicals. The fees shall be paid by the promoter.
§ 13.7. Professional boxing officials fee.
(a) [The] Subject to the exception for televised events set forth in subsection (b), the fees for professional boxing contests or exhibition officials, paid by the promoter, are as follows:
* * * * * (b) The fees for televised events, either broadcasted or by cable transmission, are as follows:
Official Fee Referee $150, each Judges $ 85, each Announcer $ 85, each Timekeeper $ 85, each § 13.8. Return check fee.
[An individual who issues a check to the Department or Commission for a fee, penalty or fine provided for under this chapter which is not honored by the institution on which it is drawn shall be charged an] An additional [$20] $50 processing fee shall be charged for each dishonored check.
Subpart B. [PROFESSIONAL] BOXING § 21.1. Contracts.
(a) Contracts under the Commission jurisdiction between managers and professional boxers; [and between] promoters and [managers or boxers or both] professional boxers; and foreign co-promoters and professional boxers shall be [executed in triplicate] signed on Commission approved forms. Contracts shall contain a provision stating their subjection to the laws of the Commonwealth and this part. Contracts shall contain the provisions required by sections 1102 and 1103 of the Athletic Code (relating to notice clause; and provisions in contracts between managers and professional boxers). The contracts shall be signed by the parties under their [correct] true legal names. Contracts shall be void unless signed by parties to the contracts.
* * * * * (c) Parties to the contracts shall completely fulfill their contractual obligations or be subject to disciplinary action by the Commission. Parties to the contracts shall be subject to, but not limited to, the disciplinary provisions at Chapter 13 of the Athletic Code (relating to enforcement).
(d) Each contract between a manager and boxer shall be subject to Commission approval, sworn to and affirmed by both parties, and [executed] signed in the presence of a Commission member. A fully conformed and executed copy of the contract shall be filed with the Commission.
* * * * * (g) [No] A manager may not enter into a contract purporting to bind a boxer under his management to perform services after the termination of the manager-boxer relationship between them; nor may a boxer, while under contract to a manager, enter into a commitment, written or oral, to perform services without written consent of both parties involved and [Commission] approval of the Executive Director.
(h) No assignment of an interest [of] in a boxer's or manager's contract, filed and approved by the Commission, will be permitted without the approval of the Commission, and the consent to assign will not be granted unless a copy of the proposed assignment is submitted to the Commission for its approval.
(i) [No] A manager may not enter into a contract that does not guarantee the boxer a minimum annual income for completion of contractual agreements of $[750] 1,000.
* * * * * (k) If a manager or boxer is to be prevented from acting or performing professionally [with] within this Commonwealth due to the revocation of his license, [or its suspension for a period in excess of 2 months, a boxer or manager contractually bound to him may submit a written application to the Commission for full and final avoidance of the existing contract between the parties. Upon receipt of the application, the Commission will promptly schedule and conduct a meeting at which the parties may appear to show cause why the application should or should not be granted. After a hearing, the Commission will adjudge and decree the avoidance or continuance of the contractual relationship between the parties as the facts and circumstances shall fairly and equitably warrant.] then the contract between the manager and boxer shall be terminated as provided by section 1103(b) of the Athletic Code (relating to provisions in contracts between managers and professional boxers). If the license of either party is suspended, the contract will not be binding upon the other party during the period of the suspension.
(l) A copy of a fully conformed and executed contract between a promoter and a manager or boxer, or both, shall be filed with the Commission by the promoter immediately after its execution [and not less than 5 days prior to the bout contracted for unless otherwise permitted by the Commission].
(m) [Pending the execution of a formal contract between a promoter and a manager or boxer, or both, a telegram of acceptance of clearly stated terms from the manager or boxer to the promoter shall be recognized as affecting a binding agreement between the parties when filed with the Commission.
(n)] No promoter licensed by the Commission may attempt to contract, for a contest, with a manager or boxer under suspension or disqualification by the Commission, except with the [explicit] written consent of the Commission.
[(o)] (n) A promoter or other licensee of the Commission may not publicly advertise or announce that a boxing contest or exhibition will take place [unless and] until the contest or exhibition has been approved [by the Commission] and [a] binding [agreement therefore has] agreements have been entered into by [both] all parties.
§ 21.2. Weight classes.
(a) The weight classes of professional boxers and the maximum weight in each class shall be as follows:
* * * * * (10) Super middleweight--168 pounds
[10] (11) * * *
[11] (12) * * *
[12] (13) * * *
(b) Sections 710 and 711 of the Athletic Code (relating to weights and classes; and limitation on difference in weights) regarding the weight of the boxers are incorporated by reference.
§ 21.3. Ring and ring equipment.
(a) The boxing ring may not be less than 16 feet square nor more than 24 feet square within the ring ropes except with the written consent of the Commission. The ring floor or apron shall extend beyond the ring ropes on all sides for at least 2 feet, [except that if] unless alternative satisfactory safety precautions are taken[,] and approved by the Commission [may sanction use of a ring with an apron of not less than 18 inches].
(1) The ring floor shall be elevated no more than 4 feet, be completely padded both inside and outside the ropes to the thickness of at least 2 inches with soft felt, foam rubber, felt matting or other soft material approved by the Commission and shall be covered over the padding with canvas stretched taut and laced tightly to the ring platform.
(2) The ring posts shall be four in number, shall extend above the ring floor no more than 5 feet, and shall be at least 18 inches distant from the ring ropes which shall be attached to the posts by means of adjustable turnbuckles.
(3) Post tops and turnbuckles shall be suitably padded.
(4) Steps shall lead to the ring floor at two diagonally opposite corners of the ring platform.
(5) The ring ropes shall be four in number, may not be not less than 1 inch in diameter, and shall be either covered with smooth plastic or wrapped with soft material. [The lowest rope shall be 13 inches from the floor of the ring, the second rope shall be 26 inches from the ring floor, the third rope shall be 39 inches from the floor, and the fourth rope shall be 52 inches from the floor of the ring.]
(6) The ropes shall be readily adjustable and shall be kept at a proper and safe degree of tautness.
(7) The ring shall be amply illuminated [by overhead lights which shall be arranged so that shadow is eliminated and discomfort from heat and glare minimized for persons in and near the ring] if needed, as determined by the Commission.
(b) It is the responsibility of the promoter to have an attendant available at all times during the [progress of an] event capable of making any type of emergency repairs, corrections and adjustments to the ring, the lights and other necessary fixtures. The promoter shall supply the following items, which shall be available on the premises for use as needed:
* * * * * (2) Chairs for [judges and timekeepers] Commission personnel, officials and Commission credential holders. Chairs for judges shall be elevated sufficiently to assure an unobstructed view of the ring and the ring floor.
* * * * * (4) A stool or chair, a clean water bucket[,] and a clean water bottle [and a sand or sawdust lined receptacle] for the corner of each boxer.
* * * * * (6) [A container of powdered resin] An ambulance, together with emergency equipment.
(7) [A clean stretcher and a clean blanket placed under or adjacent to the ring throughout each program] A portable resuscitator with oxygen and appropriate endotracheal tubes and a qualified operator.
[(8) First aid oxygen apparatus.]
§ 21.4. Conduct of bouts.
(a At each professional boxing contest or exhibition, except an exhibition held solely for training purposes, there shall be two referees, [two physicians] one physician, [two] three judges, an announcer and a timekeeper in attendance, all of whom will be licensed by the Commission. The [judges, announcer and timekeeper will be assigned by the Commission] Executive Director shall assign all officials except the announcer. [The referees and physicians will be assigned by the Executive Director of the Commission]. The [Commissioner] Executive Director may also appoint a knockdown timekeeper. [The same requirements for officials shall prevail in the case of each professional boxing exhibition, except that judges may not be appointed to serve at exhibitions. The referees shall be stationed in the ringside centered on opposite sides of the ring and seated on chairs elevated sufficiently to assure unobstructed view of the ring and the action. There shall be a clear and unoccupied space of at least 2 feet on each side of each judge. The timekeeper shall be stationed at immediate ringside centered on a side of the ring not occupied by a judge. The physicians and the announcer shall be stationed at immediate ringside in positions affording ready and rapid access to the ring. If there is a knockdown timekeeper, he shall be stationed at immediate ringside adjacent to the timekeeper.] A promoter or an employe of a promoter or an officer, director or stockholder of a corporation holding the license of a promoter may not be appointed or permitted to officiate in a capacity at a professional boxing bout under the jurisdiction of the Commission.
(b) The [Commission] Executive Director will determine the time and place of the weigh-in for each professional boxing event under [its] the Commission's jurisdiction and boxers under contract to participate in the event shall appear promptly at the appointed place to be officially weighed by a representative of the Commission on Commission approved scales and examined by the [examining] attending physician.
(1) A boxer being weighed shall remove all clothing [except, in] at the discretion of the Commission[, undershorts. The boxer may not wear shoes].
(2) A boxer shall weigh-in no more than 24 hours prior to the contracted time of the bout. Under extenuating circumstances and with the permission of the Executive Director, the boxer may be allowed to weigh-in no more than 30 hours prior to the contracted time of the bout. If a boxer is deemed overweight by the Executive Director, another weigh-in shall be scheduled for no more than 3 hours from the time that he first stepped onto the scale in order to determine that the boxer weighs no more than the weight for which he has contracted. Boxers may lose no more than 3 pounds in this 3-hour period. If after 3 hours the boxer cannot achieve the weight, he shall be disqualified and may be subject to disciplinary action as the Commission may determine.
(3) The Commission[, if it sees fit, may] will require a boxer under contract for a bout under its jurisdiction to appear before it for a preliminary physical examination within 2 hours prior to [the scheduled date of] the bout, as required by section 709(a) of the Athletic Code (relating to medical examination). The weight of the boxer shall be one of several factors included in this physical examination by the attending physician to determine whether the boxer is physically or mentally fit to proceed. Physically unfit shall include, but not be limited to, a determination by the attending physician that a boxer has gained or lost so much weight since the time of the weigh-in that the boxer could harm himself or his opponent. Except as provided by section 711 of the Athletic Code (relating to limitation on difference in weights), the weight of one boxer may not exceed the weight of that boxer's opponent by 10 pounds, as required by Section 711 of the Athletic Code.
(4) If a boxing event is postponed for more than 24 hours, the Commission may require an additional weigh-in and physical examination of the participating boxers on the day to which the event is postponed.
(5) Each boxer in a bout under the jurisdiction of the Commission shall submit to the Commission the names of the boxer's [chief second and assistant second] seconds for approval, and no person other than the boxer's approved [second] seconds may be permitted to assist in the boxer's corner during the bout.
(6) A boxer under contract to participate in a boxing event under jurisdiction of the Commission shall report in the dressing [quarters at the site of the event at least 1 hour prior to the scheduled starting time] room at a time set by the Executive Director and shall remain in that area until ordered to the ring by an authorized representative of the Commission.
(c) The referee shall call the participants and [their seconds [chief second to the center of the ring for final instructions before each bout [after which the seconds shall leave the ring and the participants shall shake hands and retire to their respective corners to await the starting gong]. After the announcement of the decision at the end of a bout, the participants and their seconds shall leave the ring without undue delay and retire to the dressing quarters. Participants, seconds and managers may not manifest to officials or to spectators an opinion as to the outcome of the bout nor may they be disrespectful or exhibit improper conduct toward [the referee or another official] a Commission official or toward the spectators before or after the announcement of the decision. Each participant in a boxing bout under the jurisdiction of the Commission shall [have at hand for use ring equipment including] wear conventional boxing trunks, smoothsole shoes, a foulproof abdominal guard or cup and [a well fitting] an individually fitted mouthpiece which shall be subject to examination and approval by the Commission. Female boxers shall also wear a chest protector, body shirt and blouse. Female boxers are also required to follow the requirements in § 21.8(n) (relating to boxers).
* * * * * (e) Each glove used in a professional boxing bout under the jurisdiction of the Commission shall weigh at least 8 ounces of which no more than 1 ounce shall be in the wrist padding of the glove. At all times, boxers competing against each other shall wear gloves of the same weight. For boxers weighing 160 pounds or less, the boxing gloves cannot weigh less than 8 ounces each. For boxers weighing over 160 pounds, the boxing gloves cannot weigh less than 10 ounces each.
(1) The gloves of each boxer shall be adjusted in the dressing quarters of the event under the supervision of a [delegated] Commission representative [of the Commission] and in the presence of a second of the opposing boxer, if the latter so desires. Gloves of the participants in a main bout may also be adjusted in the ring by the referee [representing the Commission].
(2) The ends of the lace of each glove shall be tied and knotted on the back of the wrist of the glove and a single strip of adhesive tape 1 inch in width shall be carefully and smoothly placed around the wrist of the glove over the lace and the knot.
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