TITLE 15 GAMBLING AND LIQUOR CONTROL

CHAPTER 6 BOXING, WRESTLING, AND MARTIAL ARTS

PART 9 SCORING SYSTEM

15.6.9.1 ISSUING AGENCY: New Mexico Athletic Commission.

[15.6.9.1 NMAC - N, 03-23-2002]

15.6.9.2 SCOPE: The provisions in Part 9 apply to all licensees of the commission.

[15.6.9.2 NMAC - N, 03-23-2002]

15.6.9.3 STATUTORY AUTHORITY: Part 9 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-11; 60-2A-19; 60-2A-20, 60-2A-21, 60-2A-22; 60-2A-29, and 60-2A-31.

[15.6.9.3 NMAC - N, 03-23-2002]

15.6.9.4 DURATION: Permanent.

[15.6.9.4 NMAC - N, 03-23-2002]

15.6.9.5 EFFECTIVE DATE: March 23, 2002, unless a later date is cited at the end of a section.

[15.6.9.5 NMAC - N, 03-23-2002]

15.6.9.6 OBJECTIVE: The objective of Part 9 of Chapter 6 is to set forth all commission requirements for the scoring of a boxing contest regulated by the commission.

[15.6.9.6 NMAC - N, 03-23-2002]

15.6.9.7 DEFINITIONS:

A. “Down” means that some part of the contestant’s body other than his feet is on the ring floor; or the contestant is hanging helplessly on the ring ropes; or the contestant is rising from a down position.

B. “TKO” means loss by a technical knockout and refers to the ending of a bout by a referee for any reason other than a count-out or a disqualification.

C. “KO” means loss by a knockout.

[15.6.9.7 NMAC - N, 03-23-2002]

15.6.9.8 UNIFORM REGULATIONS FOR PROFESSIONAL BOXING: The New Mexico athletic commission adopts the association of boxing commissioners (ABC) uniform rules for professional boxing championships. In the event of a problem/situation regarding the ABC rules, the final authority shall rest with the commission utilizing its own regulations. Within forty-eight (48) hours after the contest, the supervisor’s checklist, a form provided by ABC, shall be completed and returned to ABC by the supervising commission.

A. Contest elements considered: In scoring a contest, the elements of offense, defense, clean hitting, ring generalship and sportsmanship shall be carefully considered.

B. Scoring judges: Three judges approved by the commission shall evaluate each contest and score the contest.

C. “10 point” must system: The 10-point must system will be the standard system of scoring a boxing contest.

D. Winner’s points: The winner of any round is marked a “10”.

E. Loser’s points: The loser of any round is marked “1” to “9”.

F. Mandatory eight (8) count: Mandatory 8-count after knockdowns will be the standard procedure in all contests.

G Standing eight (8) count: There shall be NO standing eight-count called in any contest.

H. Three (3) knockdown rule: There shall be NO three-knockdown rule called in any contest.

I. Twenty-second count: A contestant shall receive a twenty-second count if he is knocked out of the ring and onto the floor.

J. Referee is sole arbiter: The referee is the sole arbiter of a contest and is the only individual authorized to stop a bout.

K. Knockdown rated: The referee shall call a knockdown as such as soon as it occurs.

L. Ring generalship: The contestant who takes advantage of the full “9” count should be credited with “ring generalship”, which would not be credited to him if he arose immediately and tried to continue in a possibly groggy condition.

M. Foul blows: The use of foul blows and other tactics shall result in a penalty of one (1) point for each foul committed, and the referee shall advise the judges immediately of the number of points to be deducted.

N. Disqualification for second’s assist: Contestants are to be unassisted by their seconds. If a contestant is assisted by his second, the referee shall disqualify the boxer.

O. Saved by the bell: A contestant who has been knocked down cannot be saved by the bell in any round.

[15.6.9.8 NMAC - N, 03-23-2002]

15.6.9.9 KNOCKDOWNS:

A. Judges scoring knockdowns: The judges may score a knockdown in any one round as either one or two points in favor of a contestant who scored the knockdown.

B. Judges score independently: Each judge must determine for himself which value shall be placed on the knockdown.

[15.6.9.9 NMAC - N, 03-23-2002]

15.6.9.10 PROTOCOL FOR USING SCORECARDS: Judges shall clearly write their decision and sign their scorecards; and they must mark their cards in ink or in indelible pencil at the end of each round.

[15.6.9.10 NMAC - N, 03-23-2002]

15.6.9.11 THE TALLY AND DECISION:

A. The tally: At the conclusion of the round, each judge must tally up the points he has awarded each contestant and submit the scorecard to the referee.

B. The decision: After the scorecards have all been checked by the commission representative, they must be returned to the announcer who shall announce the decision of the judges from the ring.

C. Main event protocol on announcing the decision: In main events, the announcer shall call out the points awarded by each judge. The decision must then be awarded to the contestant with the greatest number of points on two of the scorecards.

[15.6.9.11 NMAC - N, 03-23-2002; A, 08-26-2012]

15.6.9.12 AMATEUR CONTESTS; SMOKERS: 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.

[15.6.9.12 NMAC - N, 03-23-2002; A, 01-15-2015]

15.6.9.13 MAJOR FOULS:

A. The following are major fouls.

(1) Hitting an opponent who is down or who is rising from the down position.

(2) Using the knee against the opponent.

(3) Purposely going down without being hit.

(4) Failure to heed the referee’s warning concerning low blows or other minor fouls.

(5) Any dangerous and un-sportsmanlike conduct in the ring.

B. The referee may disqualify the offending contestant, and award the bout or any points to the contestant being fouled.

C. Disqualification on fouls to the body may only occur if the referee deems that these fouls are flagrant and/or continual.

[15.6.9.13 NMAC - N, 03-23-2002]

15.6.9.14 MINOR FOULS:

A. The following are minor fouls.

(1) Holding an opponent.

(2) Deliberately maintaining a clinch.

(3) Hitting with the inside or butt of the hand, the wrist, or the elbow.

(4) Backhanded blows.

(5) Low blows.

(6) Hitting or flicking with the open glove.

(7) Wrestling or roughing the ropes.

(8) Deliberately striking at the part of the body over the kidneys.

(9) Use of a pivot blow or rabbit punch.

(10) Hitting on the break.

B. It is within the discretion of the referee to determine whether the offending contestant should merely be warned, or have points deducted, for committing a minor foul.

C. If a 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.

[15.6.9.14 NMAC - N, 03-23-2002]

15.6.9.15 [RESERVED]

[15.6.9.15 NMAC - N, 03-23-2002]

15.6.9.16 REFEREE’S NOTICE TO JUDGES CONCERNING FOULS:

A. In the event that the referee determines that a foul has been committed, he shall notify the judges immediately.

B. The judges shall deduct one point from the offending contestant’s scores.

C. On any illegal blow to the body the referee may order a deduction of points and will give the necessary time for recovery to the injured boxer (with a maximum of five minutes) after consulting with the ringside physician. If the referee rules this foul was accidental and after five minutes the injured boxer can’t continue, the rules governing accidental fouls shall apply. A contestant who is hit with an accidental low blow must continue after the 5-minute rest or he will lose the bout.

D. There may be a deduction of points by the referee at any time for illegal blows and/or conduct by the boxer and/or his corner men.

E. In the case of a clear and intentional foul that causes an injury and the contest can still continue, the contestant who was doing the fouling will have two (2) points deducted.

(1) The referee must stop the action and inform all judges and the commission or commission representative of this deduction.

(2) Point deductions for intentional fouls will be mandatory.

[15.6.9.16 NMAC - N, 03-23-2002]

15.6.9.17 CONDITIONS FOR COUNTING A CONTESTANT OUT: A fighter who is hit with an accidental low blow must continue the contest after a reasonable time, but no more then five (5) minutes, or he will lose the contest.

[15.6.9.17 NMAC - N, 03-23-2002]

15.6.9.18 WRITTEN REPORT TO COMMISSION REGARDING FOULS: If, in any boxing contest, a contestant is penalized with the loss of three or more rounds due to fouls, the referee and each judge must report the matter to the commission, in writing, within twenty-four (24) hours.

[15.6.9.18 NMAC - N, 03-23-2002]

15.6.9.19 TECHNICAL KNOCKOUTS; TECHNICAL DECISIONS; TECHNICAL DRAWS; DISQUALIFICATIONS; NO CONTESTS:

A. Technical knockouts.

(1) When a cut is produced by a legal punch and the contest is stopped because of that cut, the injured boxer shall lose by a technical knockout and the commissions shall enter the letters TKO in the record.

(2) When a referee stops a contest to save any contestant from further punishment, he must award the other contestant the decision by a technical knockout.

(3) If a boxer sustains an injury from a fair blow and the injury is severe enough to terminate the bout, the injured boxer will lose by a TKO.

(a) Any contestant losing by a TKO shall receive a minimum of a thirty (30) day medical suspension.

(b) Any contestant losing by a KO shall receive a minimum of a sixty (60) day medical suspension.

B. Technical decisions.

(1) In the case where a clear and intentional foul causes an injury and the injury results in the contest being stopped in a later round, the injured contestant will win by a technical decision if he is ahead on the score cards.

(2) If the accidental foul occurs after the completion of four (4) rounds and the bout must be stopped immediately because the fouled contestant is injured severely enough that he cannot continue, a technical decision shall be awarded to the contestant who is ahead on the score cards at the time the bout is stopped.

(a) Partial or incomplete rounds will be scored.

(b) At the discretion of the Judges, if no action has occurred, the round may be scored as an even round.

(3) If in the later rounds, the injury has worsened as a result of legal blows, and the injured boxer cannot continue, a decision shall be rendered by referring to the scorecards. The judges, who must inform the commission and both contestants that the foul is the result of an accidental foul, shall score partial rounds.

C. Technical draws.

(1) In the case where a clear and intentional foul causes an injury and the injury results in the contest being stopped in a later round, a technical draw will be declared if the injured contestant is even or behind on the scorecards.

(2) If an accidental foul occurs before the completion of four (4) rounds and the injured contestant cannot continue, the contest will be declared a technical draw.

D. Disqualifications.

(1) In the case where an intentional foul causes an injury, and the injury is severe enough to terminate the bout immediately; the contestant causing the injury shall lose by disqualification, even if he is the injured contestant.

(2) If the referee deems that a contestant has conducted himself in an un-sportsman-like manner, he may stop the bout and disqualify that contestant.

E. No contests: If, before four (4) rounds are completed in a contest, an accidental foul causes an injury severe enough for the referee to stop the bout immediately, the bout will result in a no contest.

[15.6.9.19 NMAC - N, 03-23-2002]

15.6.9.20 COUNTING:

A. Timekeeper calls off the seconds: When a contestant is down, the timekeeper shall immediately commence calling off the seconds indicating the count with a motion of his arm.

B. Referee picks up the count: When the timekeeper commences calling off the seconds, the referee must immediately order the other contestant to a neutral corner and shall pick up the count from the timekeeper, indicating the count with a motion of his arm.

C. Reaching the count of ten.

(1) If a contestant is unable to continue at the count of ten, the referee shall declare the other contestant the winner by a knockout.

(2) If a contestant who has fallen or has been knocked out of the ring during the contest fails to be on his feet in the ring before the expiration of ten seconds, the referee shall count him out as if he were down.

(3) A contestant who has fallen or has been knocked out of the ring must return to the ring unassisted.

(4) If a contestant who has fallen fails to be on his feet in the ring at the time the round terminates, the timekeeper or referee, whoever has the count at the time, shall continue the count to ten (10). If the contestant fails to rise before the count of ten (10), the bout shall be awarded to the other contestant by a knockout in the round just ended.

(5) If a contestant has been knocked out of the ring at the time the round terminates, the timekeeper or referee, whoever has the count at the time, shall continue the count to twenty (20). If the contestant fails to rise before the count of twenty (20), the bout shall be awarded to the other contestant by a knockout in the round just ended. The contestant must return to the ring unaided.

[15.6.9.20 NMAC - N, 03-23-2002]

15.6.9.21 TERMINATION OF THE CONTEST: The three-knockdown rule is NOT in effect. The contest may be stopped at any time by the referee if he deems it necessary to protect the health, safety, and welfare of either contestant.

A. Contest terminated between rounds: If the contest is terminated between rounds, the knockout must be recorded as having occurred in the round most recently terminated.

B. Knockout recorded in subsequent round: When the knockout occurs between rounds and the bell for the subsequent round has already sounded, the end of the contest shall be recorded in the subsequent round.

C. Items thrown into the ring: The throwing of towels, sponges, etc, into the ring by a contestant’s corner men or seconds will NOT stop the contest.

D. Injured contestant: If a contestant is cut, the referee may interrupt the bout to consult the ringside physician to determine if the injured boxer can continue or not. If the ringside physician steps on the ring apron, the referee may call time-out and have the injured boxer examined by this physician. Final authority to stop or continue a bout rests with the referee.

[15.6.9.21 NMAC - N, 03-23-2002]

HISTORY of 15.6.9 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 80-9, Scoring System, filed 9-24-80.

NMAC Rule 92-11, Scoring System, filed 8-17-92.

History of Repealed Material:

NMAC Rule 92-11 (aka 15 NMAC 6.9), Scoring System, filed 8-17-92; repealed effective 03-23-2002.

Other History:

NMAC Rule 92-11 was recompiled into the first version of the New Mexico Administrative Code as 15 NMAC 6.9 and named Scoring System.

15.6.9 NMAC, Scoring System, replaced 15 NMAC 9, Scoring System, effective 03-23-2002.