New Mexico Register / Volume XXXV, Issue 2 / January 30, 2024

This is an amendment to 15.6.8 NMAC, Sections 11, 15, 16, and 18, effective 1/30/2024

15.6.8.11 CONTESTANTS’ SECONDS:

A. Approval of seconds by commission: the commission must approve all seconds.

(1) Each contestant must submit the name of his chief second and his assistant second to the commission for approval.

(2) Only seconds approved by the commission shall be permitted in the contestant’s corner.

(3) Before the fight begins, the referee must be informed who the chief second is.

B. Number of seconds per contestant:

(1) The maximum number of seconds a contestant may have is three.

(2) Only one of a boxer’s seconds will be permitted inside the ring ropes between rounds.

C. Conduct of seconds:

[(1) Seconds are prohibited from coaching any of the contestants during the progress of the round.]

[(2)] (1) Seconds must remain seated during each round.

[(3)] (2) Seconds must not interfere with or move a boxer who has been knocked down until they are instructed to do so by the ringside physician.

(3) Seconds are prohibited from entering the ring between rounds and assisting a contestant back to his corner unless the boxing contest has been terminated by the referee or ringside physician.

(4) Seconds are prohibited from throwing any towel, sponge, etc., into the ring as a token of defeat.

(5) A second may step on the ring apron to retire his boxer in defeat.

[15.6.8.11 NMAC - N, 3/23/2002; A, 1/30/2024]

15.6.8.15 FEMALE BOXERS: The weight classes for female boxers shall be the same as used by male boxers.

A. A female boxer must be qualified to perform as a boxing contestant before she enters the ring.

B. A female boxer shall not engage in a contest with a male boxer.

C. In addition to meeting such requirements of the commission’s rules that are applicable to boxers generally, a female boxer shall comply with the following rules:

(1) use a mouthpiece specifically designed for her mouth;

(2) use glove sizes as follows:

(a) female boxers up to 154 lbs. shall use 8 ounce gloves, properly fitted; and

(b) female boxers over 154 lbs. shall use 10 ounce gloves, properly fitted.

[(3) wear breast protectors and groin protectors that are both properly fitted;]

[(4)] (3) secure her hair with soft and non-abrasive material in a manner that does not interfere with the vision or safety of either contestant; and

[(5)] (4) not use facial cosmetics.

D. Female contestants shall be permitted to wear a body shirt or blouse without buttons, buckles or ornaments. Other apparel or equipment is prohibited.

E. All female boxers must provide a negative pregnancy test prior to each bout.

F. A contest between female boxers must be limited to 10 rounds of two minutes duration, with one minute rest periods between rounds.

G. The promoters of a contest between female boxers shall provide the female contestants with adequate dressing rooms separate from the dressing rooms of male boxers.

[15.6.8.15 NMAC - N, 3/23/2002; A, 1/30/2024]

15.6.8.16 BOXING CONTESTANTS:

A. Non-main event contestants: All contestants, except main event contestants, participating in the boxing program must report to the designated dressing room of the event premises no later than one half hour before the commencement of the first scheduled boxing contest.

B. Arrival of main event contestants to event city: Not less than 24 hours before the contest, a main event contestant shall report in person to the promoter in the city where the match will take place.

(1) Promoters shall immediately notify the commission that the main event contestants have arrived.

(2) If the bout is of sufficient importance, the contestants shall complete their training in the city concerned. The commission shall determine the number of days required for this purpose.

C. Main event contestants report for event: Main event contestants may report to the contest location no later than one hour before the commencement of the first boxing contest.

D. Confinement to dressing rooms: All contestants will remain in their dressing rooms until ordered to the ring by the commission representative in charge.

E. Physical appearance: Before entering the ring, [contestants must have a clean, shaven appearance]. Their hair must be trimmed [ not braided], and when necessary, tied back in such a way as to not cover the contestant’s face or to interfere with the vision or safety of either contestant.

F. Contestant’s ring costume:

(1) Each contestant on a program must provide himself with a ring costume approved by the commission.

(2) Each contestant’s costume must include a foul-proof groin protector of the contestant’s own selection, but of a type to be approved by the commission, which will avert any claims of a low blow being made during the contest.

G. Contestant’s conduct after boxing contest is finished:

(1) After the decision of any boxing contest has been announced, each contestant and his seconds must leave the ring at once and retire to the contestant’s dressing room.

(2) Each contestant is prohibited from indicating in any way to the officials or the spectators his opinion as to whether he won or lost the boxing contest.

[15.6.8.16 NMAC - N, 3/23/2002; A, 1/30/2024]

15.6.8.18 ADJUSTMENT OF CONTESTANT’S GLOVES: In all boxing contests, the gloves of each contestant will be adjusted under the supervision of the commission representative in charge.

A. Laces: The laces of each glove shall be knotted on the back of the wrists.

B. Adhesive Tape: A strip of one-inch to two-inch adhesive tape shall be placed on the wrists of the gloves, over the laces.

C. Removal of gloves: The contestant’s gloves must be removed after the boxing contest and before the contestant leaves the ring.

[15.6.8.18 NMAC - N, 3/23/2002; A, 1/30/2024]