TITLE 15 GAMBLING AND
LIQUOR CONTROL
CHAPTER 6 BOXING,
WRESTLING, AND MARTIAL ARTS
PART 8 CONDUCT
OF BOXING CONTESTS
15.6.8.1 ISSUING
AGENCY: New Mexico Athletic Commission.
[15.6.8.1 NMAC
- N, 3/23/2002]
15.6.8.2 SCOPE: The provisions in Part 8 apply to all licensees of the
commission.
[15.6.8.2 NMAC
- N, 3/23/2002]
15.6.8.3 STATUTORY
AUTHORITY: Part 8 of Chapter 6 of Title 15 is
promulgated pursuant to the Professional Athletic Competition Act, Sections
60-2A-1 through 60-2A-30, NMSA 1978 (1980 Repl. Pamp.); specifically
Sections 60-2A-2, 60-2A-4, 60-2A-8, 60-2A-9, 60-2A-10, 60-2A-20, 60-2A-21,
60-2A-29, and 60-2A-31.
[15.6.8.3 NMAC - N, 3/23/2002]
15.6.8.4 DURATION: Permanent.
[15.6.8.4 NMAC - N, 3/23/2002]
15.6.8.5 EFFECTIVE
DATE: March 23, 2002, unless a later date
is cited at the end of a section.
[15.6.8.5 NMAC
- N, 3/23/2002]
15.6.8.6 OBJECTIVE: The objective of Part 8 of Chapter 6 is to set forth
all commission requirements for the conduct of any boxing contests regulated by
the commission.
[15.6.8.6 NMAC
- N, 3/23/2002]
15.6.8.7 DEFINITIONS: “Contests”
are considered “boxing contests” and not “fights” or “prize fights”.
[15.6.8.7 NMAC
- N, 3/23/2002]
15.6.8.8 CHANGES
IN ANNOUNCED OR ADVERTISED BOXING PROGRAMS:
A. Notice of change
required: A notice of any change in the announced or advertised programs
for any main event contest must be filed with, and approved by, the commission
at least 48 hours before the weighing-in time of the contest.
B. Posting of notice: Notices of any such change or
substitution must also be conspicuously posted at all box offices on the
premises and announced from the ring before the opening boxing contest.
C. Refund policy: If any patrons apply for
refunds on their purchased tickets, the promoter or promoting corporation shall
make such refunds upon demand, provided such tickets are presented at the box
office on the day or night of the contest.
[15.6.8.8 NMAC
- N, 3/23/2002]
15.6.8.9 DURATION
OF MATCHES:
A. Non-championship matches: In non-championship matches,
contestants may only be matched for four, six, or ten rounds unless otherwise
approved by the commission.
B. World championship matches: World
championship matches must not exceed 12 rounds in duration.
C. State championship matches: State
championship matches may be conducted for 12 rounds, at the direction of the
commission.
[15.6.8.9 NMAC
- N, 3/23/2002]
15.6.8.10 BOXING
ROUNDS:
A. Number of boxing rounds allowed: There shall be no less than 26
scheduled rounds of boxing on any one program, unless otherwise approved by the
commission.
B. Round
duration and intermission between
rounds for male contestants: Each round shall be three minutes in duration
and there shall be one-minute rest period intermissions allowed between rounds.
C. Round duration and intermission for female contestants: All bouts for female boxer shall be
scheduled for no more than 10 rounds with each round lasting two minutes in
duration, with rest period intermissions of one minute duration between rounds.
[15.6.8.10
NMAC - N, 3/23/2002]
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
must remain seated during each round.
(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]
15.6.8.12 CONTESTANTS’
EQUIPMENT:
A. Gloves: The following requirements
apply to the gloves that must be used by contestants in an event.
(1) Gloves
for main events shall be new.
(2) Gloves
for any bout scheduled for 10 or more rounds shall be new.
(3) Gloves
are to be furnished by the licensed promoter or licensed promoter corporation.
(4) Gloves
used in any boxing event must be no less than eight ounces in weight for boxers
who weight 154 pounds or less; and at least 10 ounces
in weight for boxers who weight over 154 pounds or are female. All gloves must be thumb attached
or minus the thumb and approved by the commission.
(5) Gloves shall be identical and shall
not be altered in any manner.
B. Shoes: Only shoes of soft material that
are not fitted with spikes, cleats, hard soles, or hard heels shall be
permitted in the ring.
C. Mouthpieces: Each contestant shall wear
an individually fitted mouthpiece that shall remain in the
contestant’s mouth at all times during the competition.
(1) The round cannot begin until the contestants
are wearing mouthpieces.
(2) If the mouthpiece is dislodged during
competition, the referee will call time at the first opportune moment without
interfering with the immediate action and have the mouthpiece replaced.
(3) The referee shall direct the other
contestant to the farthest neutral corner and escort the contestant with the
dislodged mouthpiece to his or her corner to have the mouthpiece rinsed and
replaced.
(4) The referee may deduct points or
disqualify a participant if he deems that the mouthpiece is being intentionally
spit out.
D. Abdominal guards:
Contestants shall wear an abdominal guard of a standard type that provides
sufficient protection to withstand any low blow.
E. Boxing trunks and
protective cups: All contestants shall be required to wear boxing trunks,
the belt of which shall not extend above the waistline and protective cups that
shall be firmly in place before the contestant enters the ring.
[15.6.8.12
NMAC - N, 3/23/2002]
15.6.8.13 NUMBER
OF BOXING CONTEST OFFICIALS REQUIRED: There shall be at
least one physician in attendance at ringside at all times. In addition, at least the following officials
shall be present at each boxing contest:
A. one referee;
B. three judges;
C. one timekeeper;
and
D. one announcer.
[15.6.8.13
NMAC - N, 3/23/2002; A, 8/26/2012]
15.6.8.14 POSITION
OF JUDGES AND PHYSICIANS:
A. Judges: The judges shall be stationed at opposite sides of the ring.
B. Physicians: The physician shall be stationed at
places designated by the commission representative in charge.
[15.6.8.14
NMAC - N, 3/23/2002]
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) 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
(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. Their hair must be trimmed,
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]
15.6.8.17 WEIGHING-IN
CEREMONIES:
A. Schedules of ceremonies: The times and places of all weigh-in
ceremonies for indoor or outdoor programs shall be determined by the
commission. However, all weigh-ins shall
take place no later than twelve o’clock noon on the day of the contest.
B. Contestant weigh-ins: All contestants shall be weighed-in
on scales approved by the commission, and in the presence of their opponents
and the commission representative.
C. Postponement of weigh-in: In the event
a boxing contest is postponed, for any reason whatsoever, more than 24-hours
prior to the contest, a second weigh-in and additional physical examinations
may be required on the day to which the boxing contest has been rescheduled.
[15.6.8.17
NMAC - N, 3/23/2002; A, 08/26/2012]
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]
15.6.8.19 LICENSURE
OF AGENTS REQUIRED: The commission shall issue licenses
to all agents present to perform functions representative of the commission at
a boxing program. This requirement shall
include box office attaches, ticket collectors, doormen, glove men, seconds,
managers, and any others performing duties specified and ordered by the
commission at a boxing program.
[15.6.8.19
NMAC - N, 3/23/2002]
15.6.8.20 THE
REFEREE:
A. Referee’s wearing
apparel: The commission shall prescribe the type, style, and color of the referee’s
apparel.
B. Referee instructs
the contestants: Before the start of each boxing contest, the referee must
call the contestants together for final instructions. Each contestant may only be accompanied by
his chief second, except in cases where a contestant also requires the services
of an interpreter. After receiving the
referee’s instructions, the contestants shall shake hands and retire to their
respective corners to await the gong for the first round.
[15.6.8.20
NMAC - N, 3/23/2002]
15.6.8.21 INSPECTORS:
A. Appointed by the commission: The commission shall appoint
inspectors to be present at boxing contests.
Inspectors shall work in cooperation and in conjunction with any police
officers as may be detailed for this duty at boxing contests.
B. Prohibitions to
assigning officials: The commission will not and shall not assign officials
who are directly or indirectly associated with, including but not limited to
any financial interest in, the management of any contestant; or who is an
individual promoter; or who is a stockholder in, or employee of, a promoter
corporation or an unincorporated club or association engaged in the promotion
of contests.
[15.6.8.21
NMAC - N, 3/23/2002; A, 8/26/2012]
15.6.8.22 PROHIBITED
ACTIVITIES:
A. Excessive spraying
of water on contestant: Any excessive or undue spraying or throwing of
water on any contestant between rounds is forbidden.
B. Application of monsel’s solution: The application of monsel’s solution, or any use of its derivatives on the
body of the contestant between rounds, is prohibited.
C. Persons forbidden to coach contestants:
The employees of any licensed promoter and the matchmaker are forbidden from
coaching any contestant at any time during the progress of any boxing contest.
D. Persons disqualified from officiating:
Officials, directors, matchmakers, or stockholders of any promoting corporation
or licensed club are disqualified from officiating in any capacity at any
boxing contest conducted by such corporation.
They are also prohibited from interfering in any way with the
contestants participating in said boxing program.
E. Persons prohibited
from holding financial interest in contest: No official or employee of this
commission, or of its medical panels or medical advisory board, and no judge or
referee licensed by this commission may, directly or indirectly, have any
financial interest in any contestant, wrestler, promoting corporation, or in
any manager’s contract with any licensed athlete, or in any assignment thereof.
[15.6.8.22
NMAC - N, 3/23/2002]
15.6.8.23 [RESERVED]
[15.6.8.23
NMAC - N, 3/23/2002; A, 8/26/2012; Repealed, 1/15/2015]
15.6.8.24 OUTDOOR
BOXING CONTESTS: The
following special rules and regulations pertain to outdoor boxing programs
only. All other rules and regulations of
the commission not affected or modified below remain in full force and effect
for all outdoor boxing contests, as well as, other
boxing programs.
A. Postponement of boxing event: In the
event of rain immediately before or during the course of
any outdoor boxing program, except during the course of the main event, the
promoter may postpone the program to a time and place approved by the
commission.
(1) An
announcement giving the full details of the postponement shall be made by the promoter.
(2) Any
patron desiring a refund of the purchase price of his ticket may apply for the
refund at the box office on the premises, except when the main boxing contest
is held on the scheduled date or one of the successive rain-out dates indicated
on the ticket.
(3) All
contestants who have fulfilled their boxing contracts before the rain-out, shall be paid in full by the promoter.
(4) On
the date to which the program is postponed, the promoter shall have scheduled
substitute boxing contests in such number and duration as directed by the
commission.
B. Rearrangement or shortening of
program: In the event
of threatening weather and rain, the program of boxing contests may be
rearranged or shortened by the promoter with the consent of the commission
representative in charge.
C. Reimbursement of expenses to contestants:
All contestants in boxing contests, other than the main event, who were unable
to compete because of weather conditions or a rearrangement or shortening of
the boxing program, shall have their expenses and other fees paid by the
promoter as the commission representative in charge may direct.
D. Stopping the boxing contest because of rain:
In the event that rain occurs after the main event is
completed, the boxing program shall be considered as having been completed.
(1) In
the event of rain during the progress of the main event, the boxing contest
shall be continued or stopped at the discretion of the commission
representative in charge.
(2) If
the main boxing contest is stopped, the provisions of Subsection A of 15.6.8.24
NMAC as to postponement and refunds shall apply.
[15.6.8.24
NMAC - N, 3/23/2002]
15.6.8.25 AMATEUR
CONTESTS: All provisions in this section apply
to all amateur events, contests, and exhibitions, unless the amateur event,
contest, or exhibition is conducted pursuant to the rules for that form that
are approved by the commission before the event, contest, or exhibition is
conducted.
[15.6.8.25
NMAC - N, 1/15/2015]
HISTORY of
15.6.8 NMAC:
Pre-NMAC History:
Material in
the part was derived from that previously filed with the commission of public
records - state records center and archives:
NMAC 80-4,
Conduct of Licensees, filed 9/24/1980.
Those relevant
portions of NMAC Rule 92-6, Conduct of Licensees, filed 8/17/1992.
NMAC 80-8,
Conduct of Boxing Bouts, filed 9/24/1980.
NMAC Rule
92-9, The Premises, Its Facilities And Equipment, filed 8/17/1992.
NMAC Rule
92-10, Conduct of Boxing Bouts, filed 8/17/1992.
NMAC 80-10,
Boxing Classes And Championships, filed 9/24/1980.
Those relevant
portions of NMAC Rule 92-12, Boxing Classes And Championships, filed 8/17/1992.
History of Repealed Material:
NMAC Rule 92-6
(aka 15 NMAC 6.4), Conduct of Licensees, filed 8/17/1992; repealed effective 3/23/2002.
NMAC Rule 92-9
(aka 15 NMAC 6.7), The Premises, Its
Facilities And Equipment, filed 8/17/1992; repealed effective 3/23/2002.
NMAC Rule
92-10 (aka 15 NMAC 6.8), Conduct of Boxing Bouts, filed 8/17/1992; repealed effective 3/23/2002.
NMAC Rule
92-12 (aka 15 NMAC 6.10), Boxing Classes and Championships, filed 8/17/1992; repealed effective 3/23/2002.
Other History:
NMAC Rule 92-6
was recompiled into the first version of the New Mexico Administrative Code as
15 NMAC 6.4 and named Conduct of Licensees.
NMAC 92-9 was
recompiled into the first version of the New Mexico Administrative Code as 15
NMAC 6.7 and named The Premises, Its Facilities And Equipment.
NMAC Rule
92-10 was recompiled into the first version of the New Mexico Administrative
Code as 15 NMAC 6.8 and named Conduct of Boxing Contests.
NMAC Rule
92-12 was recompiled into the first version of the New Mexico Administrative
Code as 15 NMAC 6.10 and named Boxing Classes and Championships.
15.6.8 NMAC,
Conduct of Boxing Contests, replaced 15 NMAC 8, Conduct of Boxing Bouts,
effective 3/23/2002.