Rule 85-1-.04 - Medical Requirements(1)Medical Examination.(a)Neurological Examination.1. All boxers intending to compete in Georgia who have competed in over 200 rounds during their professional career, according to the number of rounds disclosed on such boxer's official ring record, and prior to competing in Georgia, must submit to the commission the results of a detailed neurological examination performed within the previous twelve months by a board certified and state licensed neurologist. Such examination shall include a careful examination for signs of any trauma induced neurological damage along with any other specific test or tests requested by the neurologist. Any boxer not submitting said results prior to the match may be allowed to compete provided however that such boxer's license will, at the conclusion of the match, be medically suspended until such time as his neurological examination requirement is fulfilled.2. The commission may require impact testing or other medical diagnostic test to determine a neurological baseline for combat sports. The Commission may order subsequent medical testing as the Commission physicians deem necessary.(b)Eye Examination.1. The minimum uncorrected visual acuity to be able to box in Georgia is set at 20 / 200 in both eyes. Any person who applies for a license or renewal of license to compete as a professional boxer in the state may, upon the request of the commission, be required to present evidence of their visual acuity.2. All boxers intending to compete in Georgia who have competed in over 200 rounds during their professional career, according to the number of round disclosed on such boxer's official ring record, and prior to competing in Georgia, must submit to the commission results from a complete ophthalmological examination performed within the previous twelve months by a board certified state licensed ophthalmologist. Such examination shall include a careful dilated examination of the retinal periphery utilizing indirect ophthalmoscope sufficient to identify any sign of previous trauma or retinal damage along with any other specific test or tests requested by said ophthalmologist. Any boxer not submitting said results prior to the match may be allowed to compete provided however that such boxer's license will, at the conclusion of the match, be medically suspended until such time as this ophthalmological requirement is fulfilled. (i) The commission may require an up-date examinations submitted pursuant to sub-paragraphs (a) [Neurological Examination] and (b) [Eye Examination] of this rule after each successive 100 fought rounds after the previous submission, as disclosed on such boxer's official ring record.(2)Pre-fight Examination.(a) At the time of weigh-in, or at such other time as is then announced, all contestants must pass a thorough and complete pre-fight medical examination and have a commission designated physician complete the pre-fight medical examination form prepared by the commission. 1. Each female Contestant, during the pre-fight physical, will be required to pass a pregnancy test administered under the direction of the examining physician, or such physician's authorized assistant. The cost of such test, unless the Contestant's contract or bout agreement states otherwise, shall be the responsibility of the promoter. For purposes of this subparagraph the term "pass" shall mean that the Contestant is not pregnant.2. Female Contestants submitting written documentation acceptable to the examining physician may be waived from the pre-fight physical pregnancy test requirement. Such documentation will be limited to:(i) a copy of a lab report from a recognized clinical laboratory and dated within ten days of the pre-fight physical attesting that the Contestant is not pregnant, or(ii) a statement from a state licensed physician, on such physician's letterhead stationery, stating that the Contestant has undergone certain medical procedures rendering her medically improbable of bearing children.(b) Whenever a Contestant's examination indicates that he or she is unfit for competition, because of any weakness or disability discovered by the physician, then an immediate report of such fact must be made to the promoter and to the commission. In such case the Contestant shall be prohibited from participating in the match.(c) The examining physician shall deliver all pre-fight examination reports to the commission or to its authorized representative immediately after the weigh-in.(d) Any Contestant who failed his or her pre-fight physical for medical reasons or for lack of general conditioning will be reported within two business days to the boxing registry.(3)Additional Medical Examinations. The commission may at any times require any Contestant to undergo such additional medical examinations performed by a state licensed physician as may be necessary to determine such Contestant's medical fitness to compete.(4)Before Contest: Illness or Injury. Should a Contestant who is already under contract to compete on an announced card, because of illness or injury, become unable to compete in such contest, he or she or his or her manager must immediately report said injury to the promoter and the commission. The commission may then require said Contestant to submit to an examination conducted by a commission designated physician.(5)Medical Suspensions by Other Commission. Medical suspensions by other boxing commissions recognized by the Association of Boxing Commissions and which are published by any boxing registry approved for such purposes by the Association of Boxing Commissions shall be recognized and honored by the commission.(6)Drugs Prohibited. The administration or use of any drugs, alcohol, stimulants, or injections in any part of the contestant's body either prior to or during a match is prohibited unless such drugs are administered by a physician and with the approval of the commission. The commission may order drug screens at any time and at the expense of the Contestant.(7)Time Between Bouts. Except as specifically authorized by the commission or commission representative, no Contestant shall be permitted to engage in another contest or exhibition in any jurisdiction for a period of seven (7) days after competing in Georgia.(8)Head Injury. Any Contestant who suffers a knock out, concussion, or other serious head injury, should be examined by the ringside physician. The physician shall immediately report to the commission the condition of such Contestant and whether or not additional medical attention is advised.(9)Knock Out and Technical Knock Out.(a) After the first knock out, there shall be a 60 day medical suspension. After the second knock out, there shall be a 60 day medical suspension and a CAT scan, EKG or other medical testing may be required before such suspension is removed from the registry. Any boxer losing by knockout (LKO) in two or more consecutive fights may be suspended for a period of 6 months.(b) Unless otherwise ordered by the attending ringside physician, there shall be a 30 day medical suspension after a technical knockout.1. Technical knock outs caused by a severe cut may result in either a 45 day or 60 day medical suspension.2. Technical knock outs caused by a blow anywhere other than the head may, at the discretion of the attending ringside physician, result in a suspension of less than 30 days.(10)Under-Conditioned Fighter. An under-conditioned fighter will be suspended for 90 days.(11)Consecutive Losses.(a) A boxer who has lost 6 consecutive fights, according to the boxers official ring record compiled and maintained by the boxing registry, may be suspended pending a hearing by the commission.(b) A boxer who has lost 6 consecutive fights by knock-out, technical knock-out, or any combination of either result, according to the boxer's official ring record compiled and maintained by the boxing registry, shall be suspended pending a hearing by the commission. (Suspension will be listed as an "Indefinite Pending Hearing")1. Any boxer whose history of poor performance is identified by the subparagraphs (a) and/or (b) above may be approved to compete against any other boxer who exhibits a similar history of poor performance.(12)Verification of Contestant Experience(a) A trainer or manager for a contestant with the following situations shall submit, on a letter approved by the Georgia Athletic and Entertainment Commission, their testament that a Contestant is prepared for a professional contest 2. Has not competed in the last 12 months3. Has lost their last 6 events by TKO, KO, DQ, or DecisionGa. Comp. R. & Regs. R. 85-1-.04
O.C.G.A. Secs. 31-31, 43-4Bet seq., 43-8Aet seq.
Original Rule entitled "Conduct of Promotion" adopted. F. May 30, 1984; eff. June 19, 1984.Amended: F. Mar. 25, 1985; eff. Apr. 14, 1985.Repealed: New Rule of same title adopted. F. June 11, 1999; eff. July 1, 1999.Repealed: New Rule entitled "Medical Requirements" adopted. F. Dec. 2, 2002; eff. Jan. 1, 2003, as specified by the Agency.Repealed: New Rule of same title adopted. F. Dec. 16, 2003; eff. Jan. 5, 2004.Repealed: New Rule of same title adopted. F. June 11, 2007; eff. July 1, 2007.Amended: F. Jun. 28, 2012; eff. July 18, 2012.