Rule 85-1-.08 - Conduct of Bout(1)Boxers. (a)False Name. No boxer shall enter any agreement or contract with a promoter, compete in any match, or otherwise participate in any capacity under any name which does not appear on his or her Federal ID card.(b)Prohibition if Under Suspension. No boxer shall enter any agreement or contract with a promoter, compete, or attempt to compete in any match in Georgia when such boxer knows that his or her boxing license issued by this commission or by any other boxing commission is under suspension.(c)Pregnancy. No boxer shall enter any agreement or contract with a promoter, compete, or attempt to compete in any match in Georgia when such boxer knows that she is pregnant.(d)Weigh-In. 1. Preliminary Weigh-In. All fighters must video record a Preliminary Weigh-in one week prior to the Official weigh-in. That video must be reported to the promoter. a. The promoter should save these recordings for 1 year.b. Fighters are required to be within 10% of their scheduled weight.c. Should either or both of the contestants weigh more than 10% above their scheduled weight, the promoter may increase the weight class limit, with the consent of both parties.2. Official Weigh In. In all contests or exhibitions, contestants shall weigh in at a previously agreed upon time and in the presence of an authorized commission representative, provided however that such weigh-in shall not take place less than six hours nor more than 36 hours prior to the contest or exhibition.a. All official weigh-ins, unless otherwise agreed to in advance by the commission, shall be conducted outside the view of the general public.b. Ceremonial weigh-ins may be conducted in such manner and at such place as agreed to by all parties involved in the promotion or match.c. The weigh in will last for 2 hours after the agreed upon time.d. Contestants who have not arrived in the first hour will be placed on the clock and their hour to cut weight will start. When the contestant arrives, and weighs in, the contestant will only have the remaining time of the 2-hour weigh in window to cut any weight if they missed their agreed upon weight.3. Missing Weight a. Any fighter who does not make weight at an Official Weigh-In may be fined, and may further be subject to denial of Commission approval to fight at the failed weight class during his/her next bout.b. Any fighter who twice does not make weight at an Official Weigh-In may be fined, and may further be subject to denial of Commission approval to fight at the failed weight class during his/her next two bouts.c. Any fighter who does not make weight at an Official Weigh-In three times may be fined, and may further be subject to denial of Commission approval to fight at the failed weight class for all future fights.(e)Over-weight boxers. The use of any herbal, prescription or non-prescription diuretic by any boxer within twelve hours prior to the weigh-in is strictly prohibited. 1.(135/2) No over-contract-weight contestant appearing at the initial weigh-in and weighing 135 pounds or less will be allowed to lose in excess of two pounds in order to make contract weight. Any such boxer must be re-examined by the ringside physician and receive clearance from the ringside physician prior to entering the ring.2.(160/3) No over-contract-weight contestant appearing at the initial weigh-in and weighing 135 pounds but less than 160 pounds will be allowed to lose in excess of three pounds in order to make contract weight. Any such boxer must be re- examined by the ringside physician and receive clearance from the ringside physician prior to entering the ring.3.(190/4) No over-contract-weight contestants appearing at the initial weigh-in and weighing 160 pounds but less than 190 pounds will be allowed to lose in excess of four pounds in order to make contract weight. Any such boxer must be re- examined by the ringside physician and receive clearance from the ringside physician prior to entering the ring.(f)Weight Classes. Weight classes for professional boxers shall be: 1. Flyweight-112 lbs. or under2. Bantamweight-over 112 lbs.-118 lbs.3. Featherweight-over 118 lbs.-126 lbs.4. Lightweight-over 126 lbs.-135 lbs.5. Welterweight-over 135 lbs.-147 lbs.6. Middleweight-over 147 lbs.-160 lbs.7. Light Heavyweight-over 160 lbs.-175 lbs.8. Cruiserweight-over 175 lbs-200 lbs.9. Heavyweight-over 200 lbs. Editor's Note: Championship Belts will be awarded according to the weigh classifications recognized by the sanctioning body awarding the belt.
(g)Weight Spread. No boxing contest or exhibition may be scheduled, and no boxer may engage in a boxing contest or exhibition without the approval of the commission or the commission's representative if the difference in weight between the boxers exceeds the following allowance.1. Up to 118 lbs-not more than 3 pounds2. 118 lbs to 126 lbs-not more than 5 pounds3. 126 lbs.-135 lbs.-not more than 6 pounds4. 135 lbs.-147 lbs.-not more than 7 pounds5. 147 lbs.-200 lbs.-not more than 9 pounds6. 200 lbs. and over (Heavyweight)-no limit(i) Any agreement to proceed with a boxing contest or exhibition where the weight spread exceeds the limit established in this rule shall be entered on each participant's bout contract and shall be initialed or signaled by such participant.(h)Appearance Time. All contestants must be in the dressing room at least 60 minutes before the event is scheduled to begin.(i)Ring Attire. Boxers shall appear and compete in proper ring attire.1. All boxers will be required to wear such protective gear as deemed necessary by the commission. (i) Male boxers shall wear a standard kidney protection belt designed for male boxers which includes a groin protection cup of such construction as to prevent any claim of injury caused by an unintentional blow.(I) This gear shall be firmly adjusted and tied prior to entering the ring.(II) During the course of the match the upper belt of this gear may not rise above the trunk waist line so as to protect the boxer from normal body blows.(III) The use during any boxing match of a protective belt commonly referred to as a training protective belt (which incorporates an oversized torso protection shield) is prohibited.(ii) Female boxers may wear a standard kidney protection belt designed for female boxers and which provides the necessary pelvic and ovary protection and shall wear a sports bra with an interior pocket which can, at the option of the boxer, hold an appropriately sized breast protector of a "turtle-shell" style.(I) This gear shall be firmly adjusted and tied prior to entering the ring.(II) During the course of the match the upper belt of this gear may not rise above the trunk waist line so as to protect the boxer from normal body blows.2. The belt-line of the trunks shall not extend above the waistline and the hem may not extend below the knee.3. Boxers in the same match should wear different color trunks.4. Each boxer shall use a mouthpiece and no round may start without a boxer's mouthpiece in place. All amateur contestants shall use a mouthpiece that uses dual arch technology or protects both the upper and lower teeth (i) If the mouthpiece is dislodged during competition, the referee will call time and have the mouthpiece replaced at the first opportune moment without interfering with immediate action.(ii) Points may be deducted by the referee, if the referee feels the mouthpiece is purposely spit out.5. Shoes shall be of soft material and shall not be fitted with spikes, cleats, hard soles, or hard heels. Shoe lace knots will be secured with adhesive tape.6. When deemed necessary by the referee all boxers shall have their hair secured in a manner that does not interfere with the vision and safety of either contestant. (i) Provided however that no object can be worn to secure the contestant's hair which may cause injury to either contestant.7. The wearing of body jewelry will be strictly prohibited during all contests.8. The wearing of any facial or body cosmetic is strictly prohibited during all contests.(j)Profanity. Use of profanity by a boxer or his or her manager or second is prohibited and if indulged in after a warning by the referee or commission representative the offender, if a boxer may be disqualified and the match given to his or her opponent, or if a manager or second such person may be ejected from the ring or arena and a penalty point may be deducted from the boxer.(k)Contestants: Entering Ring. All contestants must be ready to enter the ring immediately upon the conclusion of the preceding bout.1. Failure to enter the ring when requested and, after warning by the inspector or commission representative supervising the match, may result in a fine not to exceed one-half of the contracted purse amount.(l)Contestants: Demeanor During the Round. Each boxer shall take care to avoid fouling their opponent or illegally striking their opponent.1. Regulations against fouls, as defined in these rules will be strictly enforced.2. Wrestling and/or roughhousing in the ring will not be tolerated. Any boxer who intentionally lifts his or her opponent and then drops such opponent on the ring floor will be subject to immediate disqualification.3. Boxers are at all times to follow the instructions of the referee. Any call for a break should immediately result in a clean break.(m)Penalty for Disqualification. Any boxer who is disqualified for any reason by the referee or the commission representative supervising the show and is therefore unable to fulfill the terms of their contract will forfeit their entire purse and will be subject to a fine not to exceed fifty percent (50%) of the contracted amount of the purse. 1. Any boxer who has forfeited their purse because of a loss by disqualification (LDSQ) has a right to appeal during either the next two scheduled commission meetings, and must so notify the commission in writing within fifteen days of the disqualification of their intent to appeal. Failure to notify the commission within the fifteen day period of the intention to appeal the forfeiture will be tantamount to a waiver of any further appeal rights.2. The contracted purse amount withheld from any boxer because of disqualification will be held by the promoter or be held in escrow by the commission until such time as the appeal is heard or waived. (i) Monies held in escrow by the commission pursuant to this rule are the property of the promoter unless after an appropriate appeal an amount is awarded by the commission to the boxer.(ii) After the appeal hearing or acceptance of a waiver negating any appeal hearing monies held in escrow will be distributed appropriately.(n) Any boxer can be fined, have his or her license suspended or have his or her license revoked in the event that a majority of the commission determines that the boxer did not utilize his or her best efforts in a match.(2)Seconds. (a)Number Allowed. Each boxer must have two or three seconds, except if the commission permits otherwise. Each contestant shall have one chief second and each chief must have a complete first aid kit. The seconds must be neatly attired. Persons holding a manager's or trainer's license may act as seconds without the necessity of a second's license.(b)Leaving the Ring: When. Seconds shall leave the ring enclosure at the sound of the timekeeper's whistle. They shall leave the ring platform promptly when the gong sounds for the beginning of each round and immediately remove all obstructions, including stools, buckets, and any other corner equipment. None of these articles shall be replaced on the ring floor until the gong has sounded the end of a round.(c)Assisting Contestant During Bout: Prohibited. During the progress of the rounds, seconds shall not throw water on the contestant or in any way assist or interfere the contestant.(d)Throwing Towel: Prohibited. Seconds are forbidden from tossing a towel into the ring in token defeat of their boxer.(e)Ejection and Disqualification. Violations of the provisions of this subparagraph may be followed by ejection of the offender from the ring corner, and may result in the disqualification of their contestant by the referee.(3)Between Round Care. Between round care of a boxer will be strictly enforced by the commission. (a)Second: Only One Allowed in Ring. Only one person will be allowed in the ring with the boxer during the rest period between rounds and no more than two people, exclusive to the commission inspector and approved media personnel, will be allowed on the apron during that time.(b)Swinging Towel: Prohibited. Fans may be used between rounds but the swinging of towels is prohibited.(c)Corner Kit: Substances Allowed. The use of an unapproved preparation during the match is prohibited. The only substances and materials allowed in the corner are: 6. Vaseline or surgical lubricant approved by the commission;9. Athletic tape as approved by the commission; (i) Any variance to (3) (c) must be requested in writing and filed with the commission which, after consultation with a medical consultant or the ringside physician, will render its decision on the request.(d)Corner Kit: Substances Prohibited. Substances such as Monsell's solution, other iron or bismuth compounds, collodion, silver nitrate, ammonia or smelling salts will not be used and the use of such modalities will result in disqualification, suspension or fine of the boxer, manager and/or trainer.(e)Excessive Lubricant. The use of excessive lubricant on the body, arms or face of a boxer will not be tolerated.(f)Re-hydration of Contestant During Bout. Only water will be permitted to ease dehydration of a boxer between rounds. Honey, electrolyte glucose, sugar or any other substance mixed with water is prohibited.(4)After the Bout. (a)Contestants to Leave Ring. When the decision of the referee or judges has been announced both contestants and their seconds shall at once leave the ring and retire to their dressing rooms.(b)Decision: How to Announce. In all preliminary bouts up to and including the semi-main event, the announcer will announce if the decision is "unanimous," "a majority decision," or "a draw." In main events and championship contests the total points given each contestant by the three individual judges will be announced.(c)Decision: How to Change. A decision rendered at the termination of any boxing contest is final and shall not be changed unless following the rendition of a decision the commission appointed secretary determines that any one of the following occurred: 1. There was collusion or fraud affecting the result of any contest, or,2. The compilation of the score cards of the referee and judges reveals a clerical or mathematical error which caused the decision to be given to the wrong boxer.3. There was a violation of the laws or rules and regulations governing professional boxing in Georgia which affected the results of any contest.4. The commission supervisor may in his or her discretion change a referee's decision if in his or her judgement a palpable and self-evident error has been committed.(d)Decision: How to Appeal Commission Supervisor's Ruling. 1. A petition to change a bout decision or the ruling of the commission appointed supervisor shall be in writing and filed by a boxer or the boxer's manager within five (5) business days from the date the decision was rendered.2. If a petition to change a bout decision or the ruling of the commission appointed supervisor is not filed in writing within five (5) business days of the decision, the commissioner may, upon the vote of no less than a majority of the commissioners present, hold a hearing to change the decision at any time.3. If the commission determines that any of the above occurred with regards to any contest then the decision rendered shall be changed as the commission may direct, and shall notify the national registry within two (2) business days of the change.4. The commission's findings of fact and rile in such matters shall be final and may not be appealed.Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. R. 85-1-.08
O.C.G.A. § 43-4bet. seq.
Original Rule entitled "Kickboxing or Contact Karate" adopted. F. June 11, 1987; eff. July 1, 1987.Repealed: New Rule entitled "Championship Rules" adopted. F. June 11, 1999; eff. July 1, 1999.Repealed: New Rule entitled "Conduct of Bout" 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.Repealed: New Rule of same title adopted. F. Jul. 1, 2013; eff. July 21, 2013.Repealed: New Rule of same title adopted. F. Oct. 27, 2020; eff. Nov. 16, 2020.