Virginia Law

Part VII. Event Licensing and Conduct Standards for Boxing

18VAC120-40-230. Application for a license to conduct a boxing event.

A. At least 30 days before the date of any boxing event in the Commonwealth, the licensed promoter desiring to conduct the event shall deliver an application for a license to conduct a boxing event to the department or its contractor. The application shall be on forms provided by the department and shall include:

1. The card of boxing contests to be exhibited, including the name of each boxer, the boxer's federal identification number, and the number of rounds each is scheduled to compete. The promoter may modify the card at any time up to the day of the event by providing the required documents for the additions to and notice of the deletions from the card which accompanied the application;

2. Verification of all scheduled boxers' fight records;

3. The date, location, and time of the event for which a license is sought. The department will consider the size and configuration of the location and may deny approval of the event license for safety reasons;

4. Evidence that all boxers scheduled to compete are covered by a health insurance policy that covers medical expenses for injuries incurred during the boxing event, has a minimum of coverage of $50,000 and an accidental death insurance benefit coverage in a minimum amount of $50,000, and meets all requirements specified in 15 USC § 6304;

5. Evidence of a surety bond filed with the department or its contractor conditioned on the payment of gate fees and penalties imposed by Chapter 8.1 (§ 54.1-828 et seq.) of Title 54.1 of the Code of Virginia and on the fulfillment of contracts made with boxers. The bond shall be in form and substance satisfactory to the department and in an amount equal to the sum of (i) the total gate fee required by this chapter and § 54.1-833 A of the Code of Virginia if all seats were to be sold and (ii) the total amount due to all boxers for their appearance in the event. The bond shall not exceed $100,000 and shall be executed by a surety authorized to do business in the Commonwealth;

6. Acknowledgment that the boxing promoter will provide a copy of the contract between the promoter and each licensed boxer at weigh-in;

7. A copy of each contract by the promoter for the sale of rights to distribute in any manner such event by any video, telephonic, or other communication method involving the control of electrons or other charge carriers;

8. A statement that the applicant has read and understands this chapter and will conduct the event in full compliance with same; and

9. Verification of status as a charity event as defined in this chapter.

B. In no case shall the applicant for an event license announce or advertise, either directly or indirectly, the event to the public until the department has approved the application and issued the event license.

Statutory Authority

§ 54.1-831 of the Code of Virginia and 15 USC § 6301 et seq.

Historical Notes

Derived from Virginia Register Volume 15, Issue 21, eff. August 5, 1999; amended, Virginia Register Volume 19, Issue 23, eff. August 27, 2003; Volume 23, Issue 24, eff. September 5, 2007.

18VAC120-40-240. Equipment to be provided by boxing promoters.

The promoter shall assure that each event shall have the following:

1. A fighting ring, which shall be in the shape of a square, a hexagon, or an octagon. A square ring shall not be less than 18 feet square inside the ropes and shall not exceed 20 feet square inside the ropes. A hexagon or octagon ring shall not be less than 18 feet (from any side to the opposite side) inside the ropes and shall not exceed 32 feet (from any side to the opposite side) inside the ropes.

The ring floor shall be padded with ensolite one inch thick or another similar closed-cell foam. The padded ring floor must extend at least 18 inches beyond the ring ropes and over the edge of the platform with a top covering of canvas or similar material tightly stretched and laced to the ring platform. Material that tends to gather in lumps or ridges or material with a slick covering shall not be used.

The ring platform shall not be more than five feet above the floor of the building and shall have suitable steps for use by boxers in their corners and by the ringside physician in a neutral corner.

Ring posts shall be of metal, not more than three inches in diameter, extending from the floor of the building to a height of 58 inches above the ring floor. The ring posts must be at least 18 inches away from the ropes.

There shall be four ring ropes not less than one inch in diameter, evenly spaced, with the bottom ring rope not less than 18 inches above the ring floor and the top ring rope not more than 52 inches above the ring floor. The ring ropes must be padded with a padding of closed cell padding of not less than 1/2 inch. Ropes are to be connected with soft rope ties six feet apart. All ring ropes are to be tight and approved by the department or its contractor.

All corners must be padded with approved pads. All turnbuckles are to be covered with a protective padding.

A ring stool and bucket shall be provided for each boxer's corner.

The ring shall have bright lights and light all four corners and middle of the ring equally. No lights shall shine into the face of the boxers or ringside judges; lights may only shine downward and not shine at any angle directly into the fighting ring area that may blind the boxers or judges.

The promoter shall provide a ringside restrictive barrier between the first row of ringside seats and the event official's area that will restrict the crowd from confronting either the boxers or event officials and will ensure that the boxers remain free from obstructions or distractions. The ringside barrier must be a minimum of eight feet from the outside edge of the ring.

2. A bell or gong located at the ring no higher than the floor level of the ring. The bell or gong must produce a clear tone easily heard by the boxers.

3. Locker rooms adequate in number and equipment to reasonably facilitate the boxer's activities before and after the contest. Separate locker rooms shall be provided when both male and female boxers are scheduled to compete. Locker rooms shall have restroom facilities available.

4. A fully equipped ambulance with a currently trained ambulance crew at the site of any boxing event for the entire duration of the event and any additional personnel or equipment required by 15 USC § 6304.

5. A notice to the nearest hospital and the persons in charge of its emergency room of the date, time, and location of the boxing event.

6. Boxing gloves of the proper weight that are set by weight classification by 18VAC120-40-295. Boxing gloves must have laces to secure proper fit. Gloves must have an attached thumb to the body of the glove. Gloves must be clean, free of cuts, have good laces, with no displacement or lumping of the padding material. Gloves used in world title fights shall be new and taken from the package just prior to issuing to the boxers. Gloves shall be inspected by the event inspector or his designee before each contest and those found defective shall be replaced before the contest begins. In all championship bouts, the boxers shall be gloved in the ring. A solution of 10% household bleach and water shall be used for cleansing of all gloves prior to and after each bout.

7. A sealed OTC pregnancy test kit, approved by the Food and Drug Administration, for each female boxer that will be given to the event inspector or his designee.

8. A clear plastic water bottle, a bucket containing ice, surgeon's adhesive tape and surgical gauze for each boxer.

9. A solution of one part bleach and nine parts water for disinfecting blood on the ring canvas or ropes shall be available ringside for use by staff stationed ringside to clean the ring canvas and ropes as needed.

10. The promoter shall provide each corner with biohazardous material bags and, after the event, shall discard all regulated medical waste in the proper manner in accordance with the Regulated Medical Waste Management Regulations (9VAC20-120) issued by the Virginia Waste Management Board and available from the Department of Environmental Quality.

Statutory Authority

§ 54.1-831 of the Code of Virginia.

Historical Notes

Derived from Virginia Register Volume 15, Issue 21, eff. August 5, 1999; amended, Virginia Register Volume 19, Issue 23, eff. August 27, 2003; Volume 23, Issue 24, eff. September 5, 2007; Volume 25, Issue 15, eff. May 14, 2009.

18VAC120-40-250. Promoter to provide copy of contract with boxer at weigh-in; penalty for noncompliance; contents of contract.

A. The promoter shall provide a copy of his contract with each boxer scheduled to compete in the event to the event inspector at the time of weigh-in.

B. Failure to provide a copy of the contract for a boxer at weigh-in shall result in the boxer's disqualification to compete in the event.

C. Each contract shall contain the name of the promoter, the name of the boxer, the amount of compensation to be paid to the boxer by the promoter, the date, time and location of the event, weigh-in and prefight physical and shall comply with the minimum provisions contained in the most current model contract developed by the Association of Boxing Commissions and contained in the federal Professional Boxing Safety Act of 1996 (15 USC § 6301 et seq.), as amended.

Statutory Authority

§ 54.1-831 of the Code of Virginia and 15 USC § 6301 et seq.

Historical Notes

Derived from Virginia Register Volume 15, Issue 21, eff. August 5, 1999; amended, Virginia Register Volume 19, Issue 23, eff. August 27, 2003; Volume 23, Issue 24, eff. September 5, 2007.

18VAC120-40-260. Equipment to be provided by boxing seconds.

Each boxing second shall provide the following equipment for use at the event:

1. A solution approved by the Association of Boxing Commissions to stop hemorrhaging;

2. Scissors; and

3. One extra mouthpiece.

Statutory Authority

§ 54.1-831 of the Code of Virginia and 15 USC § 6301 et seq.

Historical Notes

Derived from Virginia Register Volume 15, Issue 21, eff. August 5, 1999; amended, Virginia Register Volume 19, Issue 23, eff. August 27, 2003; Volume 23, Issue 24, eff. September 5, 2007.

18VAC120-40-270. Equipment to be provided by each boxer.

Each boxer shall provide the following equipment:

1. Boxing trunks for male boxers, and boxing trunks and tight upper body covering for female boxers;

2. Approved groin protector for male boxers and approved pelvic girdle and a padded sports bra for female boxers;

3. A mouth piece properly fitted to each boxer's mouth; and

4. Boxing shoes.

Statutory Authority

§ 54.1-831 of the Code of Virginia and 15 USC § 6301 et seq.

Historical Notes

Derived from Virginia Register Volume 15, Issue 21, eff. August 5, 1999; amended, Virginia Register Volume 23, Issue 24, eff. September 5, 2007.

18VAC120-40-280. Contest approval; request for reconsideration.

A. The department or its contractor shall obtain information on each boxer from a boxer registry and examine that information for records, experience, and consecutive losses. Boxers with 10 or more consecutive losses must obtain a special exception before being placed on the fight card. The results of the prefight physical and any other pertinent information available, including the boxing severity index, will be used to determine, to the extent possible, that both boxers are substantially equal in skill and ability and are medically fit to compete. No contest shall take place without the approval of the department or its contractor and the ringside physician assigned to the event by the department or its contractor.

B. Each boxer must possess a current personal identification number as required by 15 USC § 6305.

C. No boxer shall participate in a boxing contest who has:

1. Been knocked out in the 60 days immediately preceding the date of the contest;

2. Been technically knocked out in the 30 days preceding the date of the contest;

3. Been a contestant in a boxing bout of more than six rounds during the 15 days preceding the date of the contest or six or fewer rounds during the seven days preceding the date of the contest;

4. Suffered a cerebral hemorrhage;

5. Suffered a serious head injury or other serious physical injury. The department or its contractor may require an additional, specific medical examination to determine the boxer's suitability;

6. Been found to be blind in one eye or whose vision in one eye is so poor that a physician recommends the boxer not participate in the contest. A boxer who is totally unsighted (uncorrected vision worse than 20/400) in one or both eyes shall be prohibited from competing; or

7. Been denied a license or approval to fight by another jurisdiction for medical reasons.

D. No boxer shall participate in a boxing contest while under a suspension from the boxing commission of another jurisdiction of the United States due to:

1. A recent knockout or series of consecutive losses;

2. An injury, requirement for a medical procedure, or physician denial of eligibility to compete;

3. Failure of a test for drugs or controlled substances; or

4. The use of false aliases or falsifying, or attempting to falsify, official identification cards or documents.

E. Any promoter or boxer may request a reconsideration by the director of the event inspector's decision by immediately providing in writing additional information or contradictory evidence concerning the boxer's skill, ability, or medical fitness.

F. A boxer who is suspended by a boxing commission of another jurisdiction of the United States may be allowed to compete if:

1. The boxer was suspended for a knockout, technical knockout, series of consecutive losses, an injury, a requirement of a medical procedure, or physician denial of certification and the time interval for knockouts and technical knockouts in subsection C of this section has been met and further proof of sufficiently improved medical or physical condition has been furnished;

2. The boxer was suspended for the failure of a drug test or the use of false aliases or falsifying, or attempting to falsify, official identification cards or documents and that a suspension was not, or is no longer, merited by the facts;

3. The boxer was suspended for any reason other than those mentioned in subdivisions 1 and 2 of this subsection and the department or the department's contractor notifies the suspending commission in writing and consults with the designated official of the suspending commission prior to the grant of approval for such boxer to participate in a boxing contest; or

4. The boxer was suspended for any reason other than those mentioned in subdivisions 1 and 2 of this subsection and the boxer's appeal to the Association of Boxing Commissions results in a determination that the suspension was without sufficient grounds, was for an improper purpose, or was not related to the health and safety of the boxer or the purposes of the federal Professional Boxing Safety Act of 1996 (15 USC § 6301 et seq.).

Statutory Authority

§ 54.1-831 of the Code of Virginia and 15 USC § 6301 et seq.

Historical Notes

Derived from Virginia Register Volume 15, Issue 21, eff. August 5, 1999; amended, Virginia Register Volume 23, Issue 24, eff. September 5, 2007.

18VAC120-40-290. Boxing event conduct standards.

A. Wrapping of each boxer's hands shall not exceed more than one continuous winding of surgeon's adhesive tape around the wrist, not over 1-1/2 inches wide, placed directly on the hand to protect the part of the hand near the wrist. The tape may cover the hand but may not extend within 3/4 inch of the knuckles when the hand is clenched to make a fist. Soft surgical gauze, not over two inches wide, held in place by not more than six feet of surgeon's adhesive tape for each hand shall be used. Up to one 10-yard roll of surgical gauze may be used to complete the wrappings for each hand. Strips of tape may be used between the fingers to hold down the gauze, not to cover the knuckles. Gauze shall be adjusted in the locker room in the presence of the event inspector or his designee. Before putting on gloves the boxer shall present his wrapped hands for inspection by the event inspector or his designee.

B. Any boxer who has signed a contract to box on a promoter's program shall be subject to be called by the department to appear at any time to be weighed or to be examined by a physician designated by the department when the department has reason to believe the boxer may not be qualified or may not be medically sound to participate in the contest.

C. Each boxer who signs a contract to box on a promoter's program shall appear at a time and place designated by the department or its contractor to be weighed on department-approved scales in the presence of each other and a representative designated by the department. Boxers shall have all weights removed from their bodies before the weigh-in but may wear shorts in the case of males, and shorts and shirts in the case of females.

D. In accordance with 15 USC § 6304, each boxer shall be examined immediately before the contest by a ringside physician assigned to the event who certifies in writing on a form provided by the department whether the boxer is physically fit to safely compete. The original health certificate will be submitted to the event inspector or his designee. In addition, each female boxer shall take a pregnancy test in the presence of a female inspector, using the pregnancy kit required by subdivision 7 of 18VAC120-40-240 or provide the ringside physician with a negative pregnancy test result taken not more than 24 hours prior to the event. The inspector will give the results to the physician and the results will be noted on the physical form. If the physician's certification fails to certify that the boxer is physically fit to safely compete, the boxer shall not participate in the contest, and shall immediately be placed on suspension on the boxer registry. All boxers shall submit to a postfight physical if requested by the ringside physician or the department or its designee.

E. All boxing events shall be conducted in accordance with the rules set forth by the Association of Boxing Commissions. The department may use the Championship Rules adopted by the Association of Boxing Commissions in any championship fight.

F. Discretional use of petroleum jelly is permitted on the face, arms or any other part of the boxer's body. In the case of a cut, topical use of a solution approved by the Association of Boxing Commissions is permitted. All other solutions are prohibited.

G. Headgear is not permitted.

Statutory Authority

§ 54.1-831 of the Code of Virginia and 15 USC § 6301 et seq.

Historical Notes

Derived from Virginia Register Volume 15, Issue 21, eff. August 5, 1999; amended, Virginia Register Volume 19, Issue 23, eff. August 27, 2003; Volume 23, Issue 24, eff. September 5, 2007.

18VAC120-40-295. Weight classes and weigh-ins and prefight meeting.

A. Weight classes are as follows:

B. No boxer may engage in a contest without the approval of the department or its contractor if the difference in weight between the boxers exceeds the allowance shown in subsection A of this section.

C. If one of the two boxers in a contest is above or below the weights shown in subsection A of this section, both boxers shall wear the gloves of the higher weight.

D. Boxers shall be weighed within 24 hours prior to the scheduled event. Each boxer and second shall appear at a time and place designated by the promoter and approved by the department or its contractor to be weighed on scales approved by the department or its contractor in the presence of each other, the promoter or his representative and a designee of the department or its contractor. Boxers shall have all weight removed from their bodies before the weigh-in but may wear shorts in the case of males, and shorts and shirts in the case of females. Once weigh-ins commence, the scales shall not be moved until weigh-ins are complete.

E. When weigh-ins occur within 24 hours, but not less than 12 hours prior to the event's scheduled start time, the boxer shall not exceed the weight specified in his contract with the promoter. If a boxer exceeds the weight specified in the contract he shall not compete unless he:

1. Loses the weight exceeded in the contract at least 12 hours prior to the event's scheduled start time;

2. Loses all but two pounds of the weight exceeded in the contract at least 12 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 contract.

Boxers who weigh-in 24 hours prior to the scheduled event shall be required to re-weigh two hours prior to the event's scheduled start time and will not be permitted to exceed the weight specified in the contract by more than 10 pounds.

F. When weigh-ins occur less than 12 hours prior to an event's scheduled start time, the boxer shall not exceed the weight specified in the contract. No boxer shall be permitted to lose more than two pounds within 12 hours of a contest. If a boxer weighs more than two pounds over the weight specified in the contract, he shall not compete unless he:

1. Loses up to two pounds at least six hours prior to the event's scheduled start time; or

2. Renegotiates his contract.

G. The promoter is responsible for ensuring that all boxers and seconds are present at the prefight meeting. Any second who does not attend the prefight meeting will not be permitted in the corner of their boxer. All boxers will report to the event location and their locker rooms at the specified time on the night of the event. Once the boxer reports to the event facility and to the locker room he will be disqualified if he leaves the locker room before time for the bout or leaves the facility before the end of the bout.

Statutory Authority

§ 54.1-831 of the Code of Virginia and 15 USC § 6301 et seq.

Historical Notes

Derived from Virginia Register Volume 23, Issue 24, eff. September 5, 2007.

18VAC120-40-300. Access to boxer's locker rooms.

On the day of a contest, only the following individuals are allowed in the locker room of a boxer:

1. The boxer's licensed manager;

2. The boxer's licensed trainers, seconds, or cut men;

3. The promoter or the promoter's representatives;

4. Any representative of the department or its contractor in the conduct of his official duties; and

5. Any representative of a law-enforcement agency of competent jurisdiction while discharging his official duties.

Statutory Authority

§ 54.1-831 of the Code of Virginia and 15 USC § 6301 et seq.

Historical Notes

Derived from Virginia Register Volume 15, Issue 21, eff. August 5, 1999; amended, Virginia Register Volume 23, Issue 24, eff. September 5, 2007.

18VAC120-40-310. Referee's instructions to boxers.

The referee shall, before starting a contest, ascertain from each boxer the name of his chief second, and shall hold the chief second responsible for the conduct of the assistant seconds during the progress of the contest. The referee shall call boxers together before each bout for final instructions, at which time each boxer shall be accompanied by his chief second only.

Statutory Authority

§ 54.1-831 of the Code of Virginia and 15 USC § 6301 et seq.

Historical Notes

Derived from Virginia Register Volume 15, Issue 21, eff. August 5, 1999; amended, Virginia Register Volume 23, Issue 24, eff. September 5, 2007.

18VAC120-40-320. Number and conduct of seconds.

A. Before a contest begins, the chief second and other seconds shall be identified for the officials. The corner shall present the boxer, ready to compete, when the event inspector calls the boxers to the ring and shall present the boxer, ready to box, when the referee calls the boxers to the center of the ring for final instructions.

B. No boxer may have more than three seconds, except that in a world title bout, the department or its contractor may authorize up to five seconds. Seconds must appear at the official weigh-in and prefight meeting at the time and place designated by the department or its contractor.

C. All seconds must keep their shoulders below the ring floor level during the bout. Seconds are prohibited from standing up or leaning on the edge of the ring, mat or floor or slapping the ring, mat or floor while the bout is in progress, or touching the ring ropes until the bell sounds to end the round. Seconds must keep coaching volume down while the bout is in progress and are prohibited from interfering with the officials in any physical or verbal way.

D. Only one of the seconds may be inside the ring ropes between rounds and shall not enter the ring until the bell signals the end of the round. During the rest period, the second may coach his boxer; treat cuts, abrasions or swelling; and provide water, ice, approved sport drinks, or other cooling-down techniques.

E. Any excessive or undue spraying or throwing of water on any boxer by a second between rounds is prohibited. Seconds are responsible for wiping up any fluids in their corners between rounds.

F. Seconds shall not enter the ring to assist or move a boxer who has been knocked down or injured until instructed to do so by the ringside physician. Seconds shall leave the ring at the sound of the timekeeper's warning that 10 seconds remain before the start of the next round, removing all buckets, stools and other equipment promptly.

G. Throwing in the towel is not permitted by any second. If a second enters the ring during the round, the boxer shall be disqualified by the referee. Only the referee can stop the bout.

Statutory Authority

§ 54.1-831 of the Code of Virginia and 15 USC § 6301 et seq.

Historical Notes

Derived from Virginia Register Volume 15, Issue 21, eff. August 5, 1999; amended, Virginia Register Volume 23, Issue 24, eff. September 5, 2007.

18VAC120-40-330. Length of contest and duration of round.

No boxing contest shall be scheduled for less than four rounds or more than 10 rounds . Each round of boxing shall be three minutes in duration with a one-minute rest period between rounds, except that bouts between female boxers shall consist of two-minute rounds with a one-minute rest period between rounds. The department may permit 12 rounds in male bouts involving a state, regional, national or world title championship, or elimination box off.

Statutory Authority

§ 54.1-831 of the Code of Virginia and 15 USC § 6301 et seq.

Historical Notes

Derived from Virginia Register Volume 15, Issue 21, eff. August 5, 1999; amended, Virginia Register Volume 23, Issue 24, eff. September 5, 2007.

18VAC120-40-340. Determination of a knockdown, counting by referee during knockdowns and knockouts.

A. It shall be ruled a knockdown when, as a result of a legal blow or series of legal blows, a boxer touches the floor with any part of the body other than his feet, or is being held up by the ropes, or is hanging on, through, or over the ropes without the ability to protect himself and cannot fall to the floor. A boxer who is knocked down shall receive a minimum count of eight seconds and a maximum count of 10 seconds. The referee shall begin his count when the boxer is down or is helpless on the ropes and after the opponent is in a neutral corner. The referee may stop the counting if the opponent fails to go to the neutral corner, and resume the count where he left off when the opponent returns to the neutral corner. If the boxer rises before the count of 10 is reached and goes back down immediately without being struck by his opponent, the referee shall resume the count where he left off.

B. A boxer who leaves the ring during a round for any reason shall have a count of 20 seconds to reenter the ring unassisted and cannot be touched while out of the ring by his second or others.

Statutory Authority

§ 54.1-831 of the Code of Virginia and 15 USC § 6301 et seq.

Historical Notes

Derived from Virginia Register Volume 15, Issue 21, eff. August 5, 1999; amended, Virginia Register Volume 23, Issue 24, eff. September 5, 2007.

18VAC120-40-342. Bout termination, knockout, technical knockout, medical suspensions.

A. A referee may terminate the count and the bout at any point when he determines that the safety of a boxer is at risk. The ringside physician may terminate the bout when, after examination of the boxer and consultation with the referee, he determines that the safety of the boxer is at risk. ]

B. When a boxer loses by way of knockout, is unable to rise by the count of 10 or, in the case of a boxer who has left the ring for any reason, before the count of 20, the department or its designee shall record in the records the letters KO (loss by knockout). A boxer losing by way of a knockout shall be placed on medical suspension by the department on the boxer registry and shall not participate in any boxing activity for a minimum period of 60 days.

C. 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 knockout and the department or its designee shall record in the records the letters TKO (loss by technical knockout).

D. Any boxer losing by way of TKO resulting from head blows shall be placed on medical suspension by the department on the boxer registry and shall not participate in any boxing activity for a minimum of 30 days. Longer medical suspension periods may be issued for a knockout or technical knockout upon the advice of the ringside physician. The ringside physician may also request a medical suspension any time he believes it to be in the best interest of the safety of the boxer.

Statutory Authority

§ 54.1-831 of the Code of Virginia and 15 USC § 6301 et seq.

Historical Notes

Derived from Virginia Register Volume 23, Issue 24, eff. September 5, 2007.

18VAC120-40-350. Boxing fouls, duties of referee, and deduction of points.

A. Any of the following acts committed by a boxer during a boxing contest shall constitute a foul:

1. Hitting below the navel or behind the ear.

2. Hitting an opponent who is down or is getting up after being down.

3. Holding an opponent with one hand and hitting with the other.

4. Holding or deliberately maintaining a clinch.

5. Wrestling or kicking.

6. Striking an opponent who is helpless as a result of previous blows and so supported by the ropes that he does not fall after being instructed by the referee to a neutral corner.

7. Butting with the head or shoulder or using the knee.

8. Hitting with the open glove, the butt of the hand, the wrist or the elbow, and all backhand blows.

9. Purposely going down without being hit.

10. Striking deliberately at that part of the body over the kidneys.

11. Using the rabbit punch (punch thrown to the back of the head and neck areas).

12. Jabbing the opponent's eyes with the thumb of the glove.

13. Using abusive language in the ring.

14. Engaging in any unsportsmanlike conduct including, but not limited to, a trick or other action which causes injury to an opponent.

15. Hitting on the break.

16. Hitting after the bell has sounded signaling the end of the round.

17. Hitting an opponent whose head is between or outside of the ropes.

18. Pushing an opponent about the ring or into the ropes.

19. Intentionally spitting out the mouthpiece.

20. Biting or spitting.

21. Not following referee's instructions.

22. Stepping on opponent.

23. Crouching below opponent's belt.

24. Leaving neutral corner.

25. Corner second shouting.

B. Referees are responsible for enforcing the rules of the contest and shall not permit fouls or other unfair practices which may cause an injury to a boxer. Referees shall warn each boxer who commits a foul during a boxing contest.

C. Any boxer who commits any foul after being warned by the referee may have points deducted by the referee or may lose the contest by disqualification by the referee.

D. Boxers who commit fouls or any other infraction may be penalized by the referee through the deduction of points from his score. The number of points to be deducted shall be determined by the referee based on his determination of the severity of the foul and its adverse effect on the opponent and shall be reported to the judges and both boxers as soon as practical. The points shall be deducted from the score of the round in which the fouls were committed.

E. The referee shall stop a contest when he determines that a foul has occurred and determine whether the fouled boxer is able to continue. The referee may order the contest suspended for a reasonable period of time, not to exceed five minutes, to allow the fouled boxer to recover if the referee determines the boxer's chance of winning has not been seriously jeopardized. The referee shall inform the event inspector or his designee of his determination that the foul was accidental.

F. The referee shall stop a contest when he determines that an injury resulting from an accidental foul is so severe as to adversely affect the fouled boxer's chances of winning. The contest shall be a draw if the accidental foul occurs during the first four rounds. The contest shall be determined by a tabulation of the scores of the completed rounds if the accidental foul occurs after the fourth round in a contest or more than four rounds.

G. The referee shall stop a contest when he determines that an injury resulting from an accidental foul has been aggravated by fair blows. The outcome of the contest shall be determined by scoring the completed rounds.

H. If a boxer commits an intentional foul in the ring and the foul causes an injury severe enough to terminate the bout immediately, the boxer causing the injury shall lose by disqualification. If an intentional foul causes an injury and the bout is allowed to continue, the referee will notify the event inspector and deduct two points from the boxer who caused the foul. Point deductions for intentional fouls are mandatory. If an intentional foul causes an injury and the injury results in the bout being stopped in a later 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. If no action has occurred, the round should be scored as an even round. If the boxer injures himself while attempting to intentionally foul his opponent, the referee will not take any action in his favor, and the injury will be the same as one produced by a fair blow.

I. If the boxer conducts himself in an unsportsmanlike manner, the referee may stop the bout and disqualify the boxer.

J. If a boxer is injured by an accidental foul and the injury is severe enough for the referee to stop the bout immediately, the bout will result in a no decision if stopped before three completed rounds in bouts scheduled for four rounds. Rounds are complete when the bell rings signifying the end of the round. If a bout is scheduled for more than four rounds, the bout will result in a no decision if stopped before four completed rounds.

K. If the boxer is injured by an accidental foul that causes an injury severe enough for the referee to stop the bout immediately, the bout will result in a technical decision awarded to the boxer who is ahead on the score cards if the bout is stopped after three completed rounds in bouts scheduled for four rounds. If a bout is scheduled for more than four rounds and four rounds are completed, 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.

L. If a boxer is hit with an accidental low blow, he must be able to rise by the count of 10 and to continue after a reasonable amount of time not to exceed five minutes or he will lose the bout.

M. Disqualification for fouls to the body may occur if the fouls are flagrant or continual. The referee may order a deduction of points for any illegal blow to the body and may, at his discretion, give a rest period of up to five 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 minute rest period, the rules governing accidental fouls shall apply.

Statutory Authority

§ 54.1-831 of the Code of Virginia and 15 USC § 6301 et seq.

Historical Notes

Derived from Virginia Register Volume 15, Issue 21, eff. August 5, 1999; amended, Virginia Register Volume 19, Issue 23, eff. August 27, 2003; Volume 23, Issue 24, eff. September 5, 2007.

18VAC120-40-360. Scoring of boxing contest, decisions, and announcement of decisions.

A. Each contest shall be scored by the judges approved and assigned by the department or its contractor. The referee will not score the contest. The scoring will be done on the 10 point must system. Judges will score each round based on clean punches (power versus quantity), effective aggressiveness, ring generalship, and defense. In a bout that is stopped in the middle of the round, the judges shall score all incomplete or partial rounds as if they were a complete round. Judges may deduct points for knockdowns only when they are called as such by the referee and for fouls when they are instructed to do so by the referee. Judges should avoid scoring a round even. At the end of each round, the score cards shall be presented to the event inspector or his designee who shall examine the score cards. The winner shall be the boxer who receives the highest score from the majority of the judges at the end of the contest. The contest is a draw if neither boxer scores so as to obtain a majority.

B. When the event inspector has examined the score cards and checked them for accuracy, he shall inform the ring announcer of the decision.

C. The department shall not change a decision rendered at the end of any boxing contest unless:

1. It is determined that there has been wrongful or illegal collusion affecting the result of the contest;

2. An error is found in the compilation of the scorecards resulting in the decision favoring the wrong boxer; or

3. The department determines through investigation that there was a violation of this chapter which adversely impacted on the fairness of the contest or the decision.

Statutory Authority

§ 54.1-831 of the Code of Virginia and 15 USC § 6301 et seq.

Historical Notes

Derived from Virginia Register Volume 15, Issue 21, eff. August 5, 1999; amended, Virginia Register Volume 23, Issue 24, eff. September 5, 2007.

18VAC120-40-370. (Repealed.)

Historical Notes

Derived from Virginia Register Volume 15, Issue 21, eff. August 5, 1999; repealed, Virginia Register Volume 23, Issue 24, eff. September 5, 2007.

18VAC120-40-380. (Repealed.)

Historical Notes

Derived from Virginia Register Volume 15, Issue 21, eff. August 5, 1999; amended, Virginia Register Volume 19, Issue 23, eff. August 27, 2003; repealed, Virginia Register Volume 23, Issue 24, eff. September 5, 2007.

18VAC120-40-385. Rules for elimination boxing contest only.

This section governs elimination boxing contests only. To the extent any of the provisions of this section conflict with 18VAC120-40-230 through 18VAC120-40-410, the provisions of this section shall apply.

1. A boxer shall not be permitted to compete if he has a personal identification number as required by 15 USC § 6305.

2. A bout shall consist of three one-minute rounds with a one-minute rest period between rounds.

3. The standing eight count will be used. The three knockdown in any round rule will be in effect. If a fighter is knocked down four times in the bout, it shall be ruled as a technical knockout. No boxer shall be saved by the bell.

4. No boxer shall compete in more than five bouts in two days and three bouts in one day and must have a minimum rest period of 60 minutes between bouts.

5. No boxer shall be permitted to participate in any contest if he has been knocked out or technically knocked out within 60 days immediately preceding the contest.

6. No boxer shall be permitted to participate in an event within 30 days of his last event.

7. No boxer taking prescribed medication of any type shall be permitted to participate in any contest without approval from the ringside physician at the time of the physical. No boxer shall be permitted to participate who is under the influence of an illegal substance or who has consumed any type of alcoholic beverage within 24 hours of the scheduled contest. After the physical, a boxer shall be permitted to drink water only prior to the contest.

8. All boxers shall be required to wear headgear and have fitted mouth pieces during the bout. Male boxers shall wear an approved groin protector and female boxers shall wear an approved pelvic girdle and have a minimum requirement of a padded sports bra. The promoter is responsible for providing boxing gloves, groin protectors for males and pelvic girdles for females that shall be clean, free from cuts and with no displacements or lumping of padded material. Headgear shall meet minimum requirements set by USA Boxing. Dipped style, sparring and thin padded training/sparring headgear will not be allowed.

9. No bouts with a weight difference of more than 20 pounds shall approved with the exception of heavyweights (190 pounds and above) where this is no limit to weight differential.

10. All gloves used shall be a minimum of 16 ounces.

Statutory Authority

§ 54.1-831 of the Code of Virginia and 15 USC § 6301 et seq.

Historical Notes

Derived from Virginia Register Volume 23, Issue 24, eff. September 5, 2007.

18VAC120-40-390. Reporting the results of boxing contests.

Not later than two business days after the conclusion of a boxing match, the department or its contractor shall report the results of such boxing match and any related ineligibility to compete in boxing contests to each boxer registry as required by the federal Professional Boxing Safety Act of 1996 (15 USC § 6301 et seq.), as amended.

Statutory Authority

§ 54.1-831 of the Code of Virginia and 15 USC § 6301 et seq.

Historical Notes

Derived from Virginia Register Volume 15, Issue 21, eff. August 5, 1999; amended, Virginia Register Volume 23, Issue 24, eff. September 5, 2007.

18VAC120-40-400. (Repealed.)

Historical Notes

Derived from Virginia Register Volume 15, Issue 21, eff. August 5, 1999; amended, Virginia Register Volume 19, Issue 23, eff. August 27, 2003; repealed, Virginia Register Volume 23, Issue 24, eff. September 5, 2007.

18VAC120-40-410. Promoter to allow access to event and event facilities.

A. The department may assign one or more representatives to each event to evaluate the contractor's performance or to assure compliance with Chapter 8.1 (§ 54.1-828 et seq.) of Title 54.1 of the Code of Virginia and this chapter.

B. All event officials and representatives of the department assigned to an event, whether to monitor the contractor's performance or for any other authorized purpose, shall be granted immediate access by the promoter and the promoter's representatives to the licensed event and to any area or portion of the event facilities.

C. The promoter is responsible for security of the locker room area and shall not permit access except as specified in 18VAC120-40-300.

Statutory Authority

§ 54.1-831 of the Code of Virginia and 15 USC § 6301 et seq.

Historical Notes

Derived from Virginia Register Volume 15, Issue 21, eff. August 5, 1999; amended, Virginia Register Volume 23, Issue 24, eff. September 5, 2007.